Billionaire, Let's Divorce (Mark and Sydney) novel Chapter 363

ANASTASIA

I stared at Amie, her gaze boring mine as she awaited my response.

I had no idea what to say. I couldn't tell him that Aiden wasn't his dad,not anymore. Not after he'd hinted at it. I couldn't tell him that he wasn't her dad then later in the future inform her that the man I'd told her wasn't her father was her father.

That would be stupid and it would be lying. I always tell her not to lie, what example would I be setting?

Besides, Aiden probably wouldn't even want that? It might anger him. And I couldn't risk him going back on his words.

But was it the right time to tell her? Physically, she was suffering, it would be unfair to put her through the emotional turmoil that the revelation would bring her. It was one she would have to go through some day, no matter my decision today, but I couldn't make it now. I didn't want it to be now.

She knows Dennis as her father. I would like to keep it that way.

“Mom? Is daddy sick?“

My lips curled into a tight smile and I smoothed her hair. A loose strand followed my fingers and I swallowed.

“Daddy isn't sick. He's fine.“

Her brows pooled together in worry. “Then where's he?“ Her voice trembled slightly. “Why hasn't he come to see me? I miss him.“

“Amie?“ Aiden called as he sat up. He glanced my way briefly before he settled his gaze on Amie. “Actually, there's-“

“Can we talk?“ I blurted and all of them, Amie, Aiden and the nurse, turned my way.

I licked my lips and managed a smile to cover the panic on my face. “We should talk outside.“

Aiden looked like he was going to refuse but he seemed to change his mind as he nodded and got on his feet, eager to get the talk over with.

I turned to Amie. Her brows furrowed in suspicion and confusion as she looked at me.

“I'll be right back.“ I pressed my lips on her forehead, nodded at the nurse and followed Aiden out.

He leaned against the wall that faced the door, his brows arched. “Tell me, Anastasia, what is this talk about?“

I could feel the anger oozing of him. His face looked calm, well poised, but from his tone, it was clear that he was trying hard to keep a hold on his temper.

“Can we walk farther a bit, please?“

Without a word, he took a few steps ahead. When he stopped and waited for me to catch up with him, I knew nothing I said would move him farther from where he had chosen to stop.

I took before him and rubbed my palm together. I thought of how to start… how to pleasantly tell him that I didn't want his daughter to find out that he's her father yet.

“I don't want to tell her yet,“ I blurted. I couldn't find a better way.

Perhaps, I could have said, ‘You'd be a great father but I don't want you to take up the role yet?’ Yeah, no.

He stared at me long. The neutral expression on his face gave nothing away.

He finally looked away, kept his gaze on the floor for a few seconds.