The Best Revenge It Wasn't Even Your Child novel Chapter 577

Lance was visibly tense.

Catherine picked up on his sour mood and softened her own tone. “I just don’t see the point in all this back-and-forth.”

He answered after a long, humming pause. “Exactly.”

She glanced over, puzzled, but he just kept his gaze fixed on the rain-spattered window, offering no explanation.

They waited another fifteen minutes until the rain eased. Only then did Catherine put the car in gear and drive the rest of the way home. By the time they got in, it was nearly noon.

She pulled straight into the garage. Without a word, they entered through the back door, both heading first to the washroom to wash up, then making their way toward Lanny.

Lance was a step ahead. He reached Alexa first and gently lifted Lanny from her arms.

“Lance, you’re back?” Susan called, emerging from the kitchen. “Catherine heard you were coming home, so she had me make your favorite—steamed ribs with taro. Lunch is almost ready, so you two can relax until everything’s set out.”

Catherine, still empty-armed, trailed behind Lance, looking for a chance to hold Lanny herself. When she caught Susan’s comment, she frowned slightly. Had she ever actually asked Susan to make steamed ribs? She didn’t recall.

Lance’s long fingers clasped around Lanny’s tiny hand, the sternness in his face unknowingly melting away. “Thanks, Susan.”

He steered toward the dining room with Lanny and took a seat.

Catherine let the oddity pass without correction and sat beside him. “Give Lanny to me, will you?”

“I’ll handle it.”

He settled Lanny in the stroller and wheeled it close to his own chair.

It unnerved Catherine, the way Lance handled Lanny. Sometimes he treated the baby as if he were his own flesh and blood—so attentive, so gentle—yet just as often he’d toss a pointed remark her way, keeping clear boundaries between them.

“You go handle them. I’ll watch Lanny.”

Lance strolled in and lay down on the opposite side of the bed. He moved quickly and with purpose—before Catherine had even sat up, he was already settled, facing her across the covers.

“Alright.”

She almost asked why he wasn’t coming down with her, but stopped herself. The Lees hadn’t come to see him. Why would he waste the energy? He never lifted a finger for her if he didn’t have a reason. At first, she’d thought his abrupt push to remarry must have something to do with Adelina. She never expected it would all be about business—a maneuver against Geoffrey. The words he’d said to Adelina tried to resurface now, no matter how much she forced them down. Sometimes, in moments like this, they stung her all over again.

Catherine straightened her clothes and headed downstairs. With every step down the stairs, her heart grew heavier—Geoffrey and Adela were seated in the living room. The coffee table overflowed with untouched baby toys and clothes, postpartum nutrition supplements, and sparkling jewelry, all laid out like an offering.

As Catherine walked in, the Lees stood to greet her.

“Catherine,” Adela called, voice thick with affected concern, “your father and I have been trying to reach you all morning. Why haven’t you answered our calls?”