Shredded Vows: The Billionaire’s Secret Heir novel Chapter 56

"Keep your voice down," Lydia hissed, her brow furrowing. Memories of Gideon's return flooded her mind—his cold, disgusted demeanor every time he tossed her the morning-after pills after they slept together. It was too agonizing to dwell on.

Even the usually laid-back Zoe could only shake her head with a heavy sigh.

"You need to figure this out. Gigi can't hide out at my place until she's twenty. The second she steps into a classroom, the 'father' question is unavoidable."

"There will be family events. Is she supposed to be the only kid without a dad? How can you bear that?"

"Plus, she was literally begging for her father in her fever dream last night. That proves how desperately she wants him. Don't brush this off. So many kids develop psychological issues from this kind of trauma."

"Lydia, even if her father was dead, she'd deserve a proper explanation! How did he die? Where is he buried? What was his name? Where are her grandparents?"

"Alright, alright, stop." Lydia rubbed her throbbing temples. "I get it. I'll handle it."

She walked over to her daughter. The autumn wind carried a bitter chill, but no gale on earth could blow away the heavy gloom anchoring her soul.

Taking off her scarf, she wrapped it securely around Gigi's neck, reminded her to be careful on the swing, and headed inside to cook.

Lydia was an excellent cook, a skill born out of childhood necessity.

Her father had been a vicious gambler. To pay off his endless debts, her mother worked day and night as a maid and nanny for wealthy families.

She had first met Gideon when Grace Rose took a job as a servant at The Gray Ancestral Estate.

Old Mr. Gray was an incredibly kind man. Knowing Grace had a young daughter to care for, he allowed her to bring Lydia to the estate.

Lydia was highly observant and mature for her age.

In that massive mansion, she never ran wild or took food that wasn't offered. Once she finished her homework, she'd help her mother clean, performing her chores with meticulous care.

Gideon never acted like a stuck-up rich kid. He always shared his snacks with her.

Back then, he would even lend her his comic books, and the two quickly became fast friends.

The room hummed with the clatter of keyboards and low murmurs of conversation.

Serena sat at her desk, staring at the empty chair beside her. Jane from Nexus Design Studio was here, but Lydia was a no-show.

Was she at home playing mommy? Or back at the hospital?

Seizing the opportunity, she ordered two coffees via delivery, handed one to Jane, and asked with a syrupy smile, "Hey Jane, where's Lydia today? Weren't you guys supposed to be working together?"

"She took the day off."

"Here, I got this for you." Serena's eyes crinkled with fake warmth as she took a sip from her own cup. "It's the new flavor from Velvet Brew. It's actually really good."

"Thanks."

"By the way, is Lydia married?" Serena casually probed.