Please Me Daddy (Gracie) novel Chapter 124

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Bunny Man!

Grace

The nurse crouched in front of the little girl, carefully dabbing antiseptic on the bruise that stretched across her small leg. I stood by the side of the bed, my hands tucked behind my back, watching the process in silence.

The little girl didn’t even flinch when the cotton touched her skin. She just sat there, staring ahead. Her face stayed blank, like she didn’t feel anything. I knew it hurt, those things always stung like hell, but she didn’t react at all.

She’s stronger than I ever was, I thought, watching her. I would’ve kicked and cried by now.

The nurse finally straightened up, a warm smile on her face. “That’s all,” she said softly. “It’ll heal in a week. Don’t worry about it, Miss Grace.”

I nodded, returning the smile. “Thank you.

She turned to leave, but before she reached the door, I called out, “Excuse me.”

The nurse paused, looking back at me. “Yes?”

I scratched the back of my head, a little hesitant. “Actually, I’m sorry to bother you, but about that man, who was he? You called him the Director. Is he really the director of the hospital?”

The nurse blinked, then smiled. “Yes, he is. That was Mr. Ryan Jones.”

“Jones,” I repeated, crossing my arms. The name tugged at something in my memory. Ryan Jones… where have I heard that before?

As if reading my expression, the nurse added, “The Jones family is the second richest family in the country, right after the Reeds of course. Mr. Ryan Jones is their eldest son, and the heir.”

My eyes went wide.

The man I’d accused of being a killer… was the heir to one of the most powerful families in the country.

“What have I done…” I whispered, running a shaky hand through my hair. My stomach twisted with dread. I was so, so screwed.

The nurse chuckled softly but then tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes. “You know what I find strange?”

I frowned slightly. “Huh?”

“The Director hardly talks to anyone,” she said. “Not even to his own family that much. He’s always cold and distant. But when I saw you with him, having an actual conversation, I was shocked. I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen him speak to someone that long.”

I glanced toward the doorway where he’d disappeared moments ago, still half expecting him to reappear. A full conversation, huh?

I let out a small sigh, muttering, “Well, if you could call that normal.”

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The nurse smiled politely and adjusted the chart in her hand. “I’ll take my leave now.”

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I nodded, forcing a small smile. “Of course. Thank you for treating her.”

She gave a nod before slipping out of the room, the soft click of the door fading behind her.

For a moment, I just stood there, letting the silence stretch. Then I closed my eyes. Those blue eyes came back to me again. I exhaled slowly through my nose and muttered, “Forget it, Grace. You have more important things to think about, not some crazy sociopath with a superiority complex.”

And that director wasn’t having a normal conversation with me. He looked amused, and curious, as if he wanted to see what I’d do next. It felt like I was being watched, not as a woman, but as prey he was sizing up.

I shook my head again, whispering under my breath, “Doesn’t matter. It’s the last time I’ll ever see him anyway. I don’t need to get involved with another rich person. One was enough.”

When I turned my gaze back to the little girl, she was lying on her bed with the blanket pulled up over her head. Her small body was still, eyes closed.

Sleeping, or pretending to?

I checked the clock. Nine o’clock, on the dot.

“Good night,” I said. “I’ll come back tomorrow.”

She didn’t answer. I didn’t expect her to.

I watched her for another second before turning around and walking out of the hospital room. My footsteps echoed faintly down the corridor.

Maybe I was being delusional, but I didn’t think she was that scared of me anymore. There was something in the way she didn’t flinch when I spoke, in how her breathing didn’t quicken when I stood near.

She was letting me stay. But if I wanted her to trust me, I needed to find a way to reach her, without scaring her off.

How, though?

I chewed slowly on the granola bar, leaning back against the couch as the TV flickered in front of me. The big bunny in a ridiculous costume hopped around, singing a cheerful song while the kids on the show danced along. Even Liana and Lucas were dancing too, their little arms flailing, laughter spilling from their mouths as they tried to mimic the moves.

I couldn’t help but smile. They were honestly adorable.

I let out a quiet sigh. Liana and Lucas were about the same age as her, the little girl who still hadn’t spoken a word. If only she were as cheerful as them, I thought, watching Liana’s curls bounce with every hop.

I’d gotten home about an hour ago. After showering and grabbing dinner, I found myself in the living room with Eleanor, Wyatt, and the kids. Watching TV after dinner had become part of our daily routine.

I was half–lost in thought when I felt a tap on my shoulder.

Bunny Mant

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I turned, blinking, to see Eleanor looking at me with a raised eyebrow. “I’ve been calling you since,” she said. Why are you so lost in thought?”

Before I could answer, Liana twirled around and sang out, “Auntie’s always lost in thoughts! I wonder what’s wrong. Is it about your good–looking boyfriend, Aunt? Did he really break up with you?”

I groaned softly, pressing my lips together. “Liana…”

That girl never ran out of questions.

Eleanor shook her head, amused. “I don’t think it’s that,” she said, settling beside me. Her tone softened. “Is this about the child you’re supposed to talk to? She still hasn’t spoken to you yet, has she?”

I shook my head slowly. “No. She hasn’t.”

“I don’t know how to make her trust me,” I admitted, my fingers crumpling the empty granola wrapper. “I’m worried. It’s like every time I wait, I feel like I’m wasting time, and putting her in more danger.”

Wyatt placed a cup of hot chocolate in my hand. The warmth seeped through the mug and into my palms. I looked up at the handsome giant of a man and smiled.

“Thank you, Wyatt,”

He nodded, his lips curving into a small smile before handing another cup to Eleanor. Then he sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her.

“Kids can be hard to understand,” he said, glancing toward the twins who were sprawled on the floor, giggling at the cartoon on the TV. “Even though we were once kids ourselves, they still surprise us.”

I nodded, blowing gently on my drink. “That’s true,” I murmured.

It was hard to understand them, harder than I ever expected, but at the same time, they were precious. Like Liana and Lucas. Just watching them laugh, so carefree and full of life, filled something inside me I didn’t even realize was empty.

The thought of having my own someday made my chest tighten with excitement. I loved kids. I wanted them to be happy, to have what I never did. A childhood that wasn’t built on fear. Parents who were kind and present. People like Eleanor and Wyatt, and maybe, one day, me.

Wyatt’s voice broke through my thoughts. “If you ever find it hard to understand a kid,” he said, sipping his drink, “sometimes you should just ask one.”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “Ask one?”

He turned his gaze toward the twins with a grin.

I followed his eyes. Liana and Lucas were still glued to the TV, their tiny shoulders shaking with laughter. I

leaned forward, setting my cup on the table, my curiosity piqued. Maybe it wouldn’t work, but maybe it would.

“Liana, Lucas,” I called.

They turned around instantly. “Yes, Aunt Grace?” They chimed together.

“I have a question,” I said. 1

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Bunny Man!

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Both of them nodded eagerly.

I smiled, trying to sound casual. “If you were in a bad mood and didn’t want to talk to anyone, what should I do to make you talk?”

Lucas didn’t even hesitate. His face lit up as he pointed toward the TV. “Bunny Man!”

“Bunny Man?”

He nodded seriously. “Yes! Bunny Man. Every kid loves Bunny Man. I wouldn’t want to talk to anyone, but I’d talk to Bunny Man. Because he’s not a human.”

My eyes followed his finger to the screen, where the man in the oversized bunny costume danced across the bright set, surrounded by laughing kids.

I widened my eyes slightly.

That… actually made sense.

If the girl didn’t want to talk to a person, then maybe the answer was simple. Maybe I just needed to stop being

one.

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