Chapter 33
Daisy pouted and shook her head, her displeasure evident.
Benjamin grabbed her tiny hand and started walking without hesitation. “She’s not going to cause any trouble. What are you so worried about? That old lady won’t say anything,” he said confidently,
Layla hesitated, worried that the language arts teacher might not accept such a young child in her classroom
But before she could stop them, Benjamin was already leading Dalsy away.
Layla watched the siblings disappear down the hall, a smile tugging at her lips,
She couldn’t help but wonder what the future held for their relationship.
Layla knew for sure that Daisy’s growing bond with her brother and father was beyond her control.
The weekend arrived quickly.
Sylvia, finally discharged from the hospital, insisted on taking Layla and Daisy to the mall
They stayed out late, only heading home in the evening.
In the underground parking lot, the three of them wandered in circles, unable to locate the car,
Sylvia laughed. “Laylie, people say pregnancy makes you forgetful for three years, but you’re still this scatterbrained? You can’t even remember where you parked” she teased.
Layla rolled her eyes. “I’ve always been bad with directions. You’re the one who made me park underground. Without a marker, how am I supposed to Lind it?” she retorted, exasperated.
“Fine,” Sylvia said, handing her the keys. “You take Daisy to the Lynwood Road entrance and wait there. I’ll bring the car around when I find it,” she instructed.
Sylvia left to search for the car while Layla led Daisy toward the exit.
Daisy suddenly spotted a small cat and, without a second thought, ran after it on her short legs.
Layla hurried after her, calling out, “Daisy, don’t run off! Aunt Sisi won’t be able to find us!”
Daisy glanced back at her mother, but the kitten’s soft meow immediately drew her attention away. She ignored Layla’s warning and chased after the cat. Her love for animals was too strong to resist. Leaving Layla behind, she dashed after the little cat.
One ran ahead while the other chased, and before they knew it, they had ended up
The kitten finally stopped, crouching on the ground and meowing at Daisy.
Daisy reached out her chubby hand to touch it, but Layla quieldy intervened
in a narrow alley
“Sweetheart, you can look, but don’t touch. You’re allergle to cat fur,” she reminded her gently.
Bur Daisy had already touched the kitten. It was soft, fluffy, and far too cute to resist.
Layla rushed forward to scoop Daisy up but froze when she saw two men with lecherous smiles approaching,
Before she could get a good look at their faces, instinct took over. She held Daisy tightly and turned to leave. She had barely taken a few steps when a sinister laugh sounded beside her.
“Well, well, isn’t this Mr. Parker’s little secretary? Didn’t think you’d have a kid now,” one of the men steered
Another man stepped closer, a sly grin spreading across his face. “Could this be Mr. Parker’s illegitimate daughter? Miss, Seth Parker has treated you so cruelly. Even when your hand was injured, he didn’t bother to ask, and yet you still had his child? Why don’t you come with me instead? I’ll make sure you live a life of comfort and luxury. ”
Layla’s eyes narrowed as recognition set in. The men were the same ones who had injured her hand years ago.
Her voice turned cold and sharp as she said, “Stay back, or I’ll call the police. We can settle both old and new scores together.”
The man laughed darkly. “Still as fiery as ever, like a wild rose with thorns. I’ve always liked that about you,” he said with a twisted grin.
Then, he reached out and grabbed Layla’s chin, leaning in as if to kiss her.
Layla drove her knee into the man’s groin, causing him to double over in pain. Holding Daisy tightly, she turned and ran
“Help! Someone help us!” she shouted, her voice echoing through the alley
Ar that moment, a tall figure emerged, running toward her. He wrapped his arms around Layla and spoke in a deep, reassuring voice “Layla, don’t be alraid. I’m here.”
