Fated Marriage Spoiled by My Ice Billionaire novel Chapter 857

Chapter 857 No Place Else to Go

He never imagined Claudia would be the one to end their engagement.

Just like that, their lives became intertwined.

He’d eagerly taken the chance to be with her without even stopping to ask if she truly wanted him.

When Claudia heard those words, she rose onto her toes, kissed the corner of his mouth, and then wrapped her arms tightly around him.

Harold held her close, satisfied, pressing her against his chest before planting a firm kiss on the top of her

head.

“There’s something else,” he said softly. “Dad wants to send Zander to live with my grandparents.”

Claudia stilled in his embrace for a moment before pulling back to look up at him. “Why?”

But deep down, she already knew the answer.

They were worried she might feel uncomfortable–and someday, they’d likely have children of their own. The whispers about her and Zander hadn’t even properly started yet.

“Don’t send him away,” she said quietly.

Harold studied her face, noticing the tenderness in her eyes.

“We can just tell people he’s mine. That settles it. I really don’t mind,” Claudia went on, holding his Zander gets sent away, he’ll grow up feeling like nobody wanted him here.”

Zander called them Mom and Dad. Every time he said “Mom,” her heart ached for him.

Being packed off to live with grandparents far away–she knew that feeling all too well.

“If

“He’s not your son. You shouldn’t have to carry this,” Harold replied. He didn’t want Zander to leave either, feeling torn between what was practical and what felt right.

Claudia let go of his hand and faced him squarely. “I want to take responsibility for him. He calls me Mom. I won’t just drop him off somewhere far away. Even if we support him from a distance, keeping him close is what’s truly best for him.”

Not many people knew about Claudia’s past. In fact, because her own family had sent her away when she was young, barely anyone even remembered the Bowmans had a daughter like her.

So whether Zander was really her biological child–hardly anyone would know for sure.

If that was the case, why not simply raise him as her own? Maybe it could give Zander a softer, kinder life.

Harold gave a slow nod.

Claudia knew exactly how she’d survived those lonely years. She remembered all too well the quiet

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Chapter 857 No Place Else to Go

conversations she’d had with herself to get through each difficult day.

She didn’t want Zander to walk the same path.

Harold drew her back into his arms.

She was so understanding–sometimes he wished she didn’t have to be.

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Claudia wrapped her arms around his waist and held on. “I’ll learn how to be a good mom. Please, let’s not send him away.”

Harold gently stroked her hair.

She was already more than enough. As a wife, as a mother–she was everything.

Later, Harold helped her get dressed again.

That night, Claudia slept in the middle of the bed, with Zander on one side and Harold on the other.

Exhausted from the lingering discomfort in her stomach, she drifted off quickly.

After she fell asleep, Harold slipped into the bathroom and took a cold shower before returning to bed.

They’d settled on meeting at the town plaza at five the following morning.

“Zander, honey, time to head into town for the sunrise memorial service,” Claudia whispered, leaning over the bed.

Zander was still deep in sleep, his little bottom tucked up in the air. At the sound of her voice, his eyelashes fluttered and he opened his large, bright eyes. One of his cheeks bore faint pink marks from the pillow.

Still drowsy, he stretched his small arms and slowly climbed out from under the covers.

Claudia’s heart softened. “You can sleep a little longer if you want.”

“No,” Zander mumbled, sitting up obediently. “Uncle Harvey says lazy people get a timeout.”

Harold came over with a warm washcloth, gently wiped Zander’s face, and helped him into his shoes.

“Daddy,” Zander asked from the edge of the bed, “are you a soldier?”

Claudia was buttoning his shirt. “Yes, Daddy is a soldier,” she answered softly.

Harold simply smiled.

Before they stepped out, Harold kissed Claudia on the cheek. Noticing this, Zander watched closely, so Harold leaned down and gave him a peck on the forehead too.

“How come Daddy always kisses Mommy?” Zander wondered aloud from Harold’s arms.

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Claudia held the door open for them, her cheeks warming slightly.

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“Because Daddy loves Mommy, so he kisses her,” Harold explained simply. “Just like Mommy loves Zander, so she kisses Zander.”

Claudia didn’t reply, but a soft smile touched her lips.

As they stepped into the hallway, they nearly bumped into Dolores and Harvey, who were just coming ou of a nearby room.

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They’d likely overheard most of the conversation.

Dolores stifled a yawn. She hadn’t slept well–the presidential suite was far more comfortable.

On top of that, she’d dragged herself out of bed early to make sure Harvey was awake, and now she was running on pure willpower.

The four of them stood for an awkward moment, glancing at one another.

“Uncle Harvey! Dolores!” Zander called out cheerfully.

Harold couldn’t help but chuckle at Zander’s way of addressing them.

If those two ever got together, Dolores would go from being like a sister to becoming his aunt.

The whole family tree would get pretty tangled.

From where Harold stood, it was almost funny–from Dolores‘ perspective, Harvey probably seemed decades older.

They exchanged quiet “good mornings” and stepped into the elevator together.

Harvey noticed Harold’s unexplained, faint smile–and then his eyes caught the faint mark just below Claudia’s ear.

He frowned slightly and looked away.

The elevator stopped on the next floor, and as luck would have it, Henrietta and Howard stepped inside.

“Well, what a coincidence! Good morning, everyone!” Henrietta said brightly as she entered.

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