Shattered Vows: Call Me Auntie Now novel Chapter 67

Dante leaned against the car.

However, he lacked his usual calculated confidence. His brows were tightly knit, and he was completely engulfed in a heavy, brooding aura.

He looked as though he had been waiting out here for hours.

Raymond brought the SUV to a smooth halt in front of Lunas Crest, and the group stepped out together.

Quinn held Leo's hand, while Raymond flanked her closely.

Raymond's face was unreadable. He slipped seamlessly into a standard protective stance—quiet, hyper-vigilant, and refusing to leave her side.

Dante looked up at them.

As his eyes locked onto the three of them walking so intimately together, the darkness in his gaze deepened.

"Leo!"

Dante called out to his son first.

He noticed that the boy's cheeks were flushed and healthy. He had gained a little weight and even looked a bit taller.

It was painfully obvious that mother and son were living a much happier, more peaceful life here.

Though Leo didn't immediately hide behind Quinn's legs this time, he kept a tight grip on his mother's hand and refused to step forward. His small face was entirely indifferent, showing zero affection for the man standing before him.

He offered only a polite, mechanical greeting. "Dad."

Dante was just about to step forward to close the distance with his son when Quinn's icy voice cut him off.

"Mr. Hayes, what do you want now?"

"We need to talk."

As Dante spoke, he shot a pointed, hostile look at Raymond.

"Alone."

Quinn hesitated for a moment before turning to Raymond and Lydia. "Take Leo inside first. I'll be right in."

Lydia gently led the little boy toward the house. Raymond cast a long, dark look at the two of them before finally turning to follow.

Dante had shed his suit jacket, leaving him in just a crisp white dress shirt.

The cool evening breeze ruffled the thick, dark hair across his forehead.

The glow of the streetlamp illuminated his handsome features, softening the ruthless corporate edge he usually wore and leaving him looking remarkably clean and clear-eyed.

From that day forward, he waited for her before and after school.

Back then, he also loved wearing white shirts. He would stand tall and handsome under the trees, looking exactly as he did tonight.

The moment he saw her, his eyes would crinkle with warmth. He would smile and reach out a hand. "Quinn, come here!"

He would grab her hand and lead her straight into his private car.

Those days of him escorting her, rain or shine.

The gentle breeze, the alleyways, the glowing sunsets, the crisp white shirts...

And his endlessly tender voice.

"Don't be afraid. I'm here. Nobody will ever dare hurt you."

The teenage Dante had given her all his favoritism, endless patience, and unwavering protection.

Which was exactly why, years later, when that same tenderness morphed into a blade of pure ice, it had completely destroyed her.

Quinn thought about earlier today. He could have easily stayed to clear her name of the plagiarism scandal, but the second Vivienne needed him, he abandoned her without looking back.