Chantelle looked at Railer, feeling guilty, but his face showed no sign of being upset. That was enough to convince her. She gathered the kids and got them into the car.
Just as they were settled in the backseat, Daniel climbed into the front passenger seat.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
Daniel buckled his seatbelt and closed his eyes. "Just keeping the kids company."
"We’ll be coming back soon." She stared at him, completely speechless. She was only going to see Xander, but why was he forcing his way into it?
How was he going to face Xander if they got into another fight? He was still recovering. Why was he even coming?
"I’m worried. Just drive. Hopefully, we’ll be back by lunch," he said.
"Let Daddy co, Mommy. That bad woman won’t ss with us if he’s there," Kane added, trying to take his dad’s side.
"Grandma won’t think you’re marrying Godfather if Daddy’s with us," Stephanie quickly added.
It did bother her that Elia kept twisting things, but was bringing Daniel really the right way to handle it?
"Hmph, I can’t wait to see who this Xander guy is," Daniel scoffed. He couldn’t stand how close Chantelle was to Xander, close enough for Elia to twist things. And he hated how Elia looked down on her.
"That’s none of your business. Stop starting fights everywhere," she retorted, but she didn’t kick him out of the car.
When they reached the hospital, Chantelle took out her phone to call Xander, but before the call went through, Daniel grabbed it from her.
"Stay in the ward," he said coldly, then ended the call.
She stared at him in silence, waiting for him to explain.
Daniel picked up Stephanie and walked straight to the elevator.
The way he moved it was like he was taking the kids on a trip to the zoo. Kane pulled Railer along, chuckling. "Daddy’s so childish."
"Daddy’s scared your godfather is going to steal Mommy," Railer whispered in Kane’s ear. "We have to help him, or we won’t have a Daddy anymore."
Kane looked at his brother, confused. "Why wouldn’t we have a Daddy anymore? My godfather’s a good guy. He’ll like Daddy."
"So, you want your godfather to fall in love with Mommy and beco our new Daddy?" Railer asked with a straight face.
Kane, usually sharp, was completely clueless when it ca to stuff like this.
"No way. Godfather is godfather. He’ll always be my godfather." He shook his head. Xander had been in that role for six years, and nothing was going to change that.
"Forget it," Railer sighed. "You won’t get it even if I explain. Just know we need to help Daddy. Look, your godfather knows all of us, but Daddy doesn’t know anyone here. If we don’t help him, he’ll feel sad."
Railer was definitely pulling one of his tricks again.
Kane blinked and was still confused. He had a feeling Railer was making things up, but he couldn’t prove it.
Still, Daniel was a good man. He’d rather keep quiet and take the hit than make a fuss just because he felt out of place.
Lil’ brother really loves Daddy.
"I know. I’ll help Daddy," Kane said with a quick smile, then ran toward the elevators.
Chantelle walked behind the kids while typing out a ssage to Xander.
"Is Aunt Elia around?"
Xander replied quickly. "She left with Caitlin to get lunch ready. I heard they gave you a hard ti last ti you visited. Sorry about that."
"We’ve been through a lot together. There’s no need for all that," she typed back.
Just as she was about to hit send, Daniel snatched the phone from her hands again.
Daniel held Stephanie in one arm and kept the elevator doors open with the other, waiting for her. But she was too busy texting to notice.
Great. I haven’t even t the guy, and I’m already annoyed, he thought.
"What are you doing? Give it back," Chantelle said as she walked into the elevator, reaching for her phone.
But Daniel had already seen the unsent ssage.
Anger rose in Daniel’s chest.
"What kind of relationship do you have with him?" He asked sharply as his face hardened. If Stephanie hadn’t been in his arms, his expression would’ve been much darker.
Chantelle didn’t want to argue in front of the kids. She held out her hand. "We’re good friends."
"Friends? Just friends?" Daniel repeated in a cold tone. He clearly didn’t believe her. That photo Trenton showed him, with Chantelle and Xander kissing, was real.
The elevator doors opened, and a few strangers entered. The crowd pushed her closer to him, but he didn’t move. He kept staring at her like she’d betrayed him.
She felt anger rising in her chest. "Whether you believe or not isn’t my problem."
"Actions speak louder than words. If you want to believe you, prove it," he muttered through clenched teeth.
She rolled her eyes.
When the elevator stopped, Chantelle was the first to step out. Railer gave Kane a quick nudge, and Kane ran after her.
"Wait for , Mommy," he called, grabbing her hand.
She slowed down as Daniel stepped ahead to open the door to the ward, only to bump right into Xander, who was coming out.
"Are you okay? Did you get hurt?" Chantelle quickly moved forward to check on Xander.
Xander had just woken up and was still weak. Even a small bump could do damage.
He looked up at Daniel and gave him a polite nod. Daniel didn’t return it. He wore a cold expression and looked distant.
"Did you hurt your leg?" Chantelle asked, rolling up Xander’s pant leg to check. A bruise was already starting to appear. She shot Daniel a sharp look.
Daniel’s expression darkened, and the doctors and nurses passing by quickened their pace at the re sight of him.
"Mommy, Daddy is..." Stephanie started, feeling bad for her father as he stood there while her mother knelt beside her godfather. She tried to speak up, but Xander gently interrupted her.
"You’ve grown, Stephanie," he said warmly. "I rember there was a Disney plush toy in my car when the accident happened. It’s probably gone now."
Stephanie’s heart tightened at the mory of living with him. She slipped out of Daniel’s arms and walked over to Xander, reaching for his hand.
"I didn’t get it back then, but I’ll be happy if you give it to another ti."
"You’re such a good girl," Xander said, turning to Chantelle with warmth in his voice.
Chantelle nodded. Stephanie had her monts, but she was clever and strong-willed.
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