Fated Marriage Spoiled by My Ice Billionaire novel Chapter 781

Chapter 781 Daddy’s Here

Chapter 781 Daddy’s Here

She was so startled that she jolted upright in bed.

+5 Free Coms

Harold calmly repositioned her pillow against the headboard, and just as Claudia leaned back, he slid it snugly behind her lower back.

“Dad-” Claudia said without thinking.

Harold went still.

The word had slipped out before she could catch herself.

Harold wasn’t expecting it. His chest tightened briefly, and he glanced away–only for his gaze to land on the two distinct peaks visible through her thin camisole.

For a second, he didn’t know where to look.

Luckily, Zander was curled in Claudia’s lap, hugging her and nuzzling affectionately against her, which also blocked much of her front from view.

Claudia didn’t notice Harold’s brief discomfort.

“Oh–that’s the little boy I told you about earlier, the one running a fever. I found him up near the hiking trail. I already called the police,” she explained in a rush. “Once they locate his parents, they’ll come pick him up.”

Harold just watched her with a soft, amused smile, letting her explain without interruption.

When he stayed quiet, she asked tentatively, “You don’t mind, right?”

Harold reached over and gently pinched her cheek. Then he turned to Zander. “Come to Daddy, buddy. Let Mommy rest a little.”

The spot on Claudia’s cheek where he’d pinched her still felt warm. And then it hit her: Zander had just called him Daddy.

Zander… was his son.

Claudia had found Harold’s son.

No wonder Zander kept calling her Mommy. She’d assumed it was just the fever talking.

“No, I don’t wanna. I want Mommy to hold me,” Zander mumbled, burrowing deeper into Claudia’s arms.

“Zander… he’s your son?” she asked again, needing to be sure.

“Yeah,” Harold replied quietly.

So the “Bicycle” Zander had mentioned–that was Harold. How hadn’t she realized it sooner?

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Chapter 781 Daddy’s Here

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Claudia pulled Zander a bit closer. At least she hadn’t actually taken him to the police station. If she had, he would’ve cried his eyes out, and it would’ve made everything awkward between them later.

Being dropped off at the station by your stepmom–no matter how you phrased it, it sounded pretty

harsh.

“Zander, Mommy’s really tired. If you keep clinging to her like that, she won’t get better,” Harold said, reaching for him. “Let Daddy hold you so the doctor can check you over, okay?”

Harold’s voice was gentle, coaxing. Claudia had never seen him speak so tenderly.

Zander finally loosened his grip and looked at Claudia. “Mommy, can I sleep with you tonight?”

“Okay,” she agreed softly, a quiet laugh escaping her as some of the tension left her shoulders.

Harold lifted Zander into his arms and carefully tucked the blanket back around Claudia.

She quickly pulled it up to her chest.

“You’ve had a long day,” Harold said, his tone sincere. “Thank you.”

She shook her head. “Zander was really sweet. I’m just… not used to being around kids.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll have a nanny to help out. You won’t have to handle everything alone.”

But Zander protested immediately. “I don’t want a nanny! I want Mommy!”

He’d spent years with nannies. Ever since Harold had shown him Claudia’s picture on his phone and told him she was his mom, Zander had decided–no more nannies.

He just wanted his mom.

Claudia reached over and took Zander’s small hand in hers. “Mommy’s right here.”

“Okay,” Zander conceded quietly.

Harold smiled, then nodded to the doctor who had been waiting near the doorway.

The doctor checked both Zander and Claudia, reviewed their medications, and confirmed that their fevers

had come down.

“Everything looks good now,” the doctor said. “Just keep taking the medicine on schedule, drink plenty of fluids, and get lots of rest.”

Once the doctor left, Zander announced he was hungry and wanted something to eat.

Harold turned to Claudia. “What would you like?”

“Maybe just some plain oatmeal? I’m not very hungry,” she replied.

He nodded, settled Zander beside her on the bed, and headed toward the kitchen.

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Chapter 781 Daddy’s Here

Claudia watched him go for a moment before looking down at Zander curled up next to her.

“Mommy,” he murmured, nestling back into her side.

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Claudia smiled and wrapped an arm around him, feeling a warmth she couldn’t quite name spreading through her chest.

While the oatmeal was simmering, Harold came back to check on them.

By then, Claudia had changed out of her camisole into a more comfortable cotton pajama set. She was in the bathroom helping Zander wipe down and change into clean clothes.

Harold stood quietly in the doorway, watching them until they finished.

Claudia paused when she noticed him waiting there.

Without a word, Harold bent down, picked Zander up, then took Claudia’s hand and led them both to the living room.

Claudia glanced down at their joined hands. His hand was large and solid, just like him.

He set Zander on the couch and said to Claudia, “Oatmeal’s still cooking. It’ll be a few more minutes.”

“Okay,” she replied simply, settling beside Zander.

Harold returned to the kitchen to stir the pot.

Claudia and Zander stayed on the couch, playing with the magnetic toy car set Darren had bought him earlier that day.

From the kitchen, Harold watched them, a quiet fondness in his eyes.

Not long after, just as Harold was spooning the oatmeal into bowls to cool, Zander scampered over and tugged his hand.

“Daddy, come sit with us,” he insisted, pulling Harold toward the couch until he was seated close to Claudia.

Zander wriggled right between them, pushing Harold until his shoulder was pressed against Claudia’s. With no room to shift away, they sat side by side, arms touching.

They exchanged a brief glance but said nothing, letting Zander’s happy chatter fill the space between

them.

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