The Best Revenge It Wasn't Even Your Child novel Chapter 561

“What are you talking about?” The bafflement on Belinda’s face could not have been more obvious.

Catherine was back—since when did she have to slink around like a thief? She’d come to see her grandson, perfectly within her rights!

Lance cut straight to the point, voice low. “Do you want to see him again next time?” He nodded toward the powder room. “Wait until she goes upstairs, then slip out.”

Belinda’s frustration nearly boiled over. She glared, defiant. “I’m not going anywhere—”

Outside, Catherine closed the car door and turned to Aaron. “Thank you for the ride. Drive safe on your way back.”

“Of course. If there’s any update about the Lees, call me right away.”

Catherine nodded, watching as Aaron pulled away, then she headed toward the house. Through the tall windows, she glimpsed two silhouettes flicker across the living room.

She paused a moment before resuming her stride. As her hand reached for the knob, the door swung open from within—abrupt, unexpected.

Lance stood in the doorway, Lanny cradled securely in one arm, the other hand on the door. Gone was his signature black dress shirt, replaced by a cozy cotton tee. There was something almost gentle in the way his long, capable fingers supported Lanny’s tiny form—a far cry from the hard-edged tycoon who ruled the boardroom.

“You’re back.” His eyes met hers—steady, unreadable. He stepped aside and walked in.

Catherine slipped off her shoes. She watched the line of Lance’s back as he cradled their son, took a slow breath, then said quietly, “I’ll go wash my hands. Hand Lanny over to me afterwards.”

Without waiting for a response, she turned and made for the bathroom.

“You’re upset.” Lance’s voice followed as she reached the bathroom door. “Did something happen at the Lee party? You didn’t even stay for lunch.”

Back at SilverLeaf, Catherine had been known for her poker face—her emotions tucked away so skillfully nobody ever knew what she was thinking. But somehow, Lance could always see right through her.

Catherine had dropped the baby weight almost immediately after her recovery period was over, but with a twelve-pound baby in her arms, she hardly expected Lance to hoist them both without missing a beat. Yet he hardly seemed to notice the extra weight.

Still, Catherine’s heart pounded. What if he lost his grip? She’d survive a stumble, but Lanny was so little!

“Put me down! I just need a minute alone, seriously. I don’t need you to be my stress therapist.” And just how did he plan to “de-stress” her anyway?

“There’s a place for being alone,” Lance murmured. “But there are things two people can do together.”

He marched them straight up to his third-floor suite, shut the door with his foot, and set them gently down inside.

Downstairs, Belinda overheard fragments as she came out of the powder room. Her face flushed with outrage. “Shameless! Bear-hugging right in front of your own mother! Standards really have gone down. And if either of you so much as budge that baby wrong, you’ll have to answer to me!”

She thought about storming up after them, but remembering how immovable Lance could be, she only grumbled and stormed off in the other direction.