Chapter 478 William and Hayden （79）
The fleeting panic Cassius had shown twice only indicated one thing – his visit wasn't merely to deliver milk; there had to be another matter to report.
It was highly likely that this matter related to the phone call she'd just had with William.
Approaching the door of the master bedroom – a room she hadn't set foot in since her mother's suicide – Hayden felt surprisingly calm, much more so than she could have imagined.
She knocked on the door and waited for a moment before it was finally pulled open from the inside, releasing a scandalous scent.
Hayden knew all too well what this odor implied.
"Hayden, why is it you?" Sophia was clearly startled to see Hayden standing outside the door with the tray.
Inside, Finn, who was donning a robe, paused at the sound.
"Uncle mentioned it was you who convinced Dad to end my grounding and even got me a new cell phone. Thank you," Hayden said, directing his words at a taken aback Sophia. His demeanor was maddeningly calm, an impassive facade that revealed no trace of his feelings.
She glanced at the milk in her hand and added, "Here's your milk. Finish it and make sure my dad gets some rest. He's getting older and needs to take care of his health."
"Oh, alright, okay!" Finally, Sophia snapped out of her daze and smiled as she took the tray from Hayden's hands. "You, too, should get some rest, and if there's anything you need, just tell me."
"Sure," Hayden agreed crisply, tilting her head and forcing a smile. Then she turned and left directly for her own room.
Sophia held the milk and stood at the door, watching Hayden walk away, still somewhat in disbelief.
Had Hayden suddenly changed? She had just brought her milk and even expressed gratitude.
"Hayden seems to have had a breakthrough," remarked the man as he placed his hand on her shoulder, causing her to realize she wasn't alone. His deep voice rumbled close to her ear.
Snapping back to the present, Sophia quickly offered Finn a tender smile and said, "Yeah, I was really taken aback by Hayden. She brought me something and even said, 'Thank you.' It's the first time that has happened."
"That proves you're doing a fine job as a mom. Hayden has accepted you," Finn said, wrapping an arm around Sophia and beaming with pride.
"Really? I've been looking forward to this day, Finn. Tomorrow morning, I'll get up early and make some of their favorite breakfast dishes," Sophia replied with an unwavering sense of devotion as she looked toward Finn.
"Good, good, good." Finn nodded with satisfaction, lifting her chin while gazing at her with a mischievous twinkle. "I love how you are so different in every aspect of life."
"Oh, stop it!"
...
That night, Hayden surprisingly slept extremely well.
The following day, after she had gotten ready and descended the stairs, Finn was already seated at the head of the breakfast table, engrossed in the newspaper, while Sophia was directing Cassius, busily preparing breakfast.
"Hayden, you're up! Come, have a seat!" greeted Sophia with a cheerful smile and a face full of gentle affection.
Upon hearing her voice, Finn set the newspaper aside and glanced up at Hayden.
Meeting Finn's gaze with a calm and steady demeanor, Hayden greeted them.
In the past four years, Hayden had never referred to Sophia in such a way. If she ever did, it was by her first name, but today, she actually called her "Aunt," which pleasantly surprised Finn.
"Wow!" Even more visibly shocked and delighted was Sophia herself.
She paused briefly, then looked at Hayden, excited and surprised, asking, "Hayden, what did you just call me?"
Hayden caught Sophia's eye and settled into her chair. With Finn and Sophia's attentive gaze upon her, she finally said, "Aunt Sophia, today's breakfast is delicious—everything's just how I like it."
Sophia's face lit up with delight. "Finn, did you catch that? Hayden actually called out to me," she said, her voice bubbling with excitement as she playfully nudged Finn before turning toward their son. "Daniel, aren't you going to join in?"
Sitting across from Hayden, Daniel continued to eat his breakfast and merely rolled his eyes without responding.
"Daniel, you child..."
"It's okay. Daniel is still young; he doesn't know any better, just like I used to be," Hayden interrupted Sophia before she could voice her criticism with a laugh. He glanced at Daniel across the table, who was fed to be chubby and arrogant, and smiled before turning to his father, Finn, "Dad, I'm going out for a bit to see William."
"No, you're not!" Finn, who had been looking amiable, suddenly hardened his face as he growled.
"Finn, why are you getting angry all of a sudden?" Sophia quickly jumped in to play the peacemaker.
"Dad, I'm going to see William today to break up with him and set things straight once and for all so there won't be any entanglement in the future," Hayden said without giving Sophia a chance to speak further. He looked straight at his parents as if he didn't notice their reactions and continued, "You're right, we're not a good match, and after the novelty wore off, there really wasn't much left."
Sophia looked at her, stupefied. Hayden had changed so much from last night to today?
"Have you really thought it through?" Finn asked sternly because he thought Hayden had changed too much.
Looking at them, Hayden smiled. "I'm asking you, if I insisted on staying with William, would you disown me?"
"If you don't listen to me and insist on going against me, why would I need a daughter like that to make myself miserable?" Finn retorted.
That was precisely the response Hayden was looking for.
She now understood, as clear as day, that Finn always maintained authority, never permitting anyone to defy him, particularly his own wife and daughter.
With that in mind, she smiled wryly. "Yeah, if you disowned me, Dad, losing the title of Miss Smith is probably not the only thing I'd lose, and William wouldn't be the only loss."
"You've got it figured out, and that's good." Finn was particularly pleased with Hayden's response, and his dark countenance finally eased as he nodded. "In matters of marriage, it's only right for parents to have a say. As your parents, we would never harm you."
