Chapter 328 Blood Ties Cannot Be Severed
I gave a bitter smile and said helplessly, "Ronnie found out who was behind the accident. It was a thug sent by Lanny. The Wilson family might be in big trouble. Fiona went to negotiate with Lanny because of me, and now I'm worried the Griffin family will come after me too."
Alaric abruptly pulled the car over to the side of the road, staring at me in shock. "How did it come to this?"
I rubbed my forehead and continued, "Ronnie is as ruthless as Nicholas. Today at the hospital, he had his men beat that thug to death. He's definitely going after everyone involved."
Alaric lit a cigarette and slowly exhaled a ring of smoke.
The smell made me wrinkle my nose, so I rolled down the window.
Seeing this, Alaric took a deep drag, then tossed the half-smoked cigarette out the window before restarting the car.
I suddenly remembered my agreement with Nicholas and sighed heavily. "I also promised Nicholas that if he helped me find Skylar, I would let him take over the Howard Group's tech project."
Alaric exclaimed in surprise, "The tech project! Isn't that the Howard Group's main business? How could you give up such a profitable project?"
I replied, "I know, Nicholas is exploiting my weakness for Skylar to extort me. But for Skylar, what else can I do but agree?"
Hearing this, Alaric gently patted the back of my hand. "No matter how tough things get, I'll face them with you."
I nodded, still filled with unease, but Alaric's determined gaze gave me a sliver of courage.
When we got home, Skylar was sitting on the couch, staring at the TV, but clearly not paying attention to the show. Seeing me come in, she looked up with a hint of expectation in her eyes and asked, "Mom, when will Aunt Anne come back? I want Aunt Anne."
I sat down next to her, pulling her into my arms, and asked softly, "Did she say she's your aunt?"
Skylar nodded seriously. "Yes, Aunt Anne is very nice to me. Why won't you let me be with Aunt Anne and had the police take her away?"
I sat there, stunned by Skylar's sudden question, not knowing how to respond. I opened my mouth to explain but didn't know where to start.
I could only gently comfort Skylar, "Sweetie, the police have important things to discuss with Anne. We have to trust that they'll handle it."
Skylar's eyes instantly reddened, tears welling up as she anxiously grabbed my arm and shook it, her voice breaking. "Mom, please think of a way to bring Aunt Anne back. Tell the police she's not a bad person. She took me to the amusement park, bought me pretty clothes and tasty food, and I didn't have to go to school with her. I want Aunt Anne, now!"
It took me a while to regain my composure. I held Skylar's hand, my voice trembling slightly. "Honey, there are things you might not understand now, but you'll get it when you're older."
I tried to brush it off, but Skylar wouldn't let it go. She suddenly yanked her hand away and ran to the corner of the couch, crying loudly, "You just don't want me to be with Aunt Anne. Why are you doing this? I hate you!"Melissa, who was busy cooking in the kitchen, heard the commotion and rushed over, not even taking off her apron. She looked at Skylar with a pained expression and immediately picked her up, soothing her softly. "Don't cry, sweetie."
Melissa then carried Skylar to her room.
I stood there, staring at the closed door, feeling a sharp pain in my heart.
I couldn't believe that after just a few days with Anne, Skylar had become so distant from me. I couldn't help but reflect on whether I had neglected Skylar because of work, leading her to become so close to Anne in such a short time that I became the "bad guy" in her eyes, keeping her from Anne.
I sat on the couch for a long time, surrounded by silence, with only the relentless ticking of the wall clock, each tick feeling like a hammer to my heart.
Later, Melissa came out of Skylar's room and softly told me, "Skylar's asleep."
I finally snapped out of it and looked up to see Melissa's concerned face.
Melissa sat down next to me, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Diana, don't take it to heart. Skylar is just a child and doesn't understand."
I gave a tired smile and shook my head. "Melissa, I know, but it still hurts. Everything I do is for her, but in her eyes, I'm the bad guy."
Melissa handed me a bowl of oatmeal and comforted me, "Kids are naturally drawn to people who play with them. But you're her mom, and that bond can't be broken."
I stirred the oatmeal with my spoon and sighed, "But seeing her so distant from me really hurts."
Melissa spoke earnestly, "Diana, you're exhausted. Don't push yourself too hard. Let things take their course."
I looked at Melissa, feeling grateful. "Melissa, I don't know what I'd do without you helping me take care of Skylar."
Melissa smiled. "Don't mention it. It's what I'm here for. Finish your oatmeal and get some rest."
I stood up and said, "The oatmeal is still hot. I'll go lie down with Skylar for a bit."
I walked to Skylar's room.
I quietly pushed open Skylar's bedroom door, and a faint hint of milk scented the air, her signature fragrance. I sat carefully on the edge of the bed, pulling the blanket up a bit, afraid to wake her. Skylar seemed to sense my presence, furrowing her brow slightly in her sleep before relaxing again. A faint smile played at the corners of her lips, suggesting she was lost in some sweet dream. I couldn't resist reaching out to gently stroke her cheek. I leaned down and kissed her forehead, wanting to convey all my love to her. Then I lay beside her, holding her gently. This moment of peace made me wish time could stop, so I could protect her forever.
However, as I thought about what Anne might have said to make Skylar distant from me, and the image of Skylar pleading for Anne during her arrest, my heart ached.
I knew I had to do something. I had too many questions about Anne's actions and urgently wanted to talk to her face-to-face.
At that time, I quietly got up and tiptoed out of the room to the balcony. My hand trembled slightly as I picked up my phone and dialed Joshua's number.
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