The Ending She Read (And the One He Rewrote) novel Chapter 8

“No, no...”

“Rawr!!!”

One dodged while the other playfully chomped.

“Daddy!”

Seraphina launched herself into Jason's arms.

Harriet stood up, only just noticing Jason. She had no idea how long he had been standing there watching.

Feeling slightly awkward, Harriet forced herself to remain calm as she cleaned up the bathroom.

“Don't let her run around and track hair everywhere. I'm going to take out the trash, then I'll be back to give her a bath.”

Brushing past him, Harriet headed outside.

Jason carried his daughter to the sofa and tapped her little nose. “What did Mommy tell you?”

“Mommy said...” Leaning against her father's shoulder, the little girl blinked. “To give her one last chance.”

“Baby, Mommy really knows she was wrong. Can you give Mommy one more chance? One last chance, please?”

“If Mommy loses you again, she'll turn into a stray puppy with no owner, forced to wander the streets and eat garbage. How does that sound?”

So it turned out Mommy could smile at her, kiss her cheeks, and hold her hands.

It turned out that when Mommy wasn't throwing tantrums or looking fierce, she was actually so pretty.

“Daddy...” Seraphina poked Jason's cheek. “I like this Mommy.”

This Mommy.

Was there another one?

Jason chuckled softly. “So, are you going to give her that chance?”

“I...”

Before Seraphina could answer, a shadow fell over the doorway.

Harriet was back.

Carrying a pink baby bathtub and a heap of assorted items, Harriet marched into the bathroom.

Over the sound of running water, Harriet called out, “Little Egghead, time for your bath...”

“I'm not an Egghead...”

His daughter scrunched her nose and indignantly slid off his lap, dashing into the bathroom.

The door clicked shut.

Soon, peals of giggles drifted out.

Jason looked out the window, feeling as though the sun had just risen in the west.

Ring, ring!

His phone buzzed; it was the driver.

Jason answered.

She had intentionally taken Seraphina out just to lose her, all to make Dad worry.

But none of them believed him!

“Ahhhhh...”

They hadn't even reached Room 919 when they heard Seraphina's scream.

Archer let go of Jason's hand and sprinted. “Seraphina! Seraphina!”

The main room was empty.

The sound was coming from the bathroom.

Archer ran up and pounded on the door. “Let her go! You bad woman!!!”

Smack!

The door was pulled open.

The 'bad woman' narrowed her eyes at him. “Too skinny. You wouldn't even make a good snack! Come back when you've fattened up a bit!”

???

Archer glared at Harriet.

A little head popped out from behind Harriet. “Archer...”

His eyes widening perfectly round, Archer stood stunned.