She Was Never Just a Pretty Face novel Chapter 69

Alpha International Airport.

The private jet was already taxiing on the runway.

With one phone call, Luther canceled the flight completely.

Hilda didn't have her phone, but she could guess what had happened. Luther must have seen the DNA results and stopped the plane. She looked down, gently stroking little Annie's hair, and smiled softly. Feeling her mother relax, the little girl finally wrapped her arms around her.

An hour later.

Inside the airport's VIP lounge.

Hilda was holding a drowsy Annie when the glass doors were suddenly pushed open. The staff inside immediately stood at attention. "Mr. Sanford."

Luther gave a curt nod.

His gaze locked onto Hilda's face.

His eyes were swirling with complex emotions.

Sensing the shift in the atmosphere, the staff tactfully excused themselves.

The massive VIP lounge was left to just the three of them.

Luther walked over to Hilda and slowly crouched down. Annie was almost entirely asleep by now, her quiet little face pressed securely against her mother's chest. She had clearly lost a little weight. Luther gently brushed his fingers against her cheek. Her eyes and brow looked just like Hilda's, but upon closer inspection, he could see his own reflection in her features. For the first time, he truly saw it. His voice was incredibly deep and hoarse: "The DNA results are out."

Hilda didn't ask what they were.

Because she already knew perfectly well whose child she was.

She just felt a profound sorrow... After being treated so callously by Luther, she had been forced to rely on a piece of paper to prove her innocence and validate her own daughter's existence.

Luther looked up. The stark white lights cast a strangely softening glow over his sharp profile. He kept his eyes fixed on Hilda, then slowly reached out, gently caressing her cheek. Finally, he stood up, pulling both her and the child into his arms. He couldn't claim he loved Hilda in this moment, but his feelings for her were undeniably profound and overwhelming.

Annie was his own flesh and blood.

Hilda had endured the pregnancy and childbirth entirely alone.

He could only imagine how much she had suffered.

—It had to have been agonizing.

Hilda's face rested against the fine fabric of his suit.

He had rushed over straight from the office in full business attire.

He wasn't even wearing a winter coat.

Though Nathan was desperate to see them, hearing his precious granddaughter was sleeping made him quickly agree. "Little babies need their rest to grow! Dinner is perfectly fine. Get them to bed quickly. The more she sleeps, the taller and prettier she'll get."

Luther murmured an agreement and hung up.

The moment the screen went dark, it lit up again.

The caller ID read: [Jolie].

Luther stared at it for two seconds before rejecting the call and powering off his phone.

He leaned down and carefully took Annie from Hilda's arms. His tone was much gentler than usual: "Let's go home."

Hilda sat frozen in her seat.

A thin sheen of moisture gathered in her eyes.

Luther reached out, gripping her shoulder. His touch was gentle but left no room for argument. He repeated himself, "We're going home."

Hilda was forced to stand.

And then, her hand was enveloped in his warm grasp.