The Wife You Buried Is Back from Hell novel Chapter 1322

"Why didn't you wait for me to pick you all up?"

He reached out to brush the snow from her hair, his fingers accidentally grazing her cheek and leaving a chilling, electric sensation in their wake.

Danielle's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively took a step back. "Weren't you in a meeting?"

Alexander's hand froze in midair.

A second later, he turned to the kids, smiling as he ruffled Niki's hair. "It ended early. I figured I'd swing by since it was your exam day."

"How did it go, Niki?"

"I'm definitely getting first in the whole grade."

Niki lifted her chin, declaring it with absolute pride.

Alexander burst into laughter. He scooped her up and kissed her cheek. "That's my girl. What kind of reward do you want?"

"I want to go skiing! With you and Mom!" she chirped, throwing her arms around his neck.

Alexander's gaze shifted to Danielle, a hopeful glint in his eyes. "What do you think?"

Danielle looked at the eager expressions on the children's faces, then at the undeniable softness in his gaze.

It was something they had already decided on anyway.

She nodded, her voice gentle. "Sure. We'll go once the grades are posted."

Still holding Niki, he casually reached out and took Danielle's hand.

Her hand trembled slightly. She tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened.

His palm was warm, radiating a reassuring strength that chased away the winter chill.

The heat was blasting in the car, instantly melting the cold from their bones the second they got in.

Niki and Raffy sat in the back, chatting happily.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Danielle stared out at the snowscape, her mind a tangled mess.

Alexander glanced at her occasionally through the rearview mirror. Seeing her lost in thought, he softened his tone. "What's wrong? Are you still mad at me?"

She turned to look at his sharp profile as he focused on the road.

The memory of him passing out drunk flashed in her mind, along with what Dr. Laura had warned her about. A lump formed in her throat. "Alexander, your health..."

His hands tensed on the wheel for a split second before relaxing.

He flashed a casual smile. "I'm fine. Just a little tired lately, that's all. Don't worry."

"How can I not worry?"

Her voice rose a notch. "Dr. Laura told me everything. You're completely pushing your body past its limits."

"Why are you working yourself to death? Why did you hide it from me?"

In the backseat, Niki and Raffy immediately went quiet at the sudden tension.

The restaurant was bustling, filled with the rich aroma of roasted meat.

Danielle ordered a huge platter of BBQ ribs and all the side dishes the kids loved.

Niki and Raffy sat across from them, happily digging into their food while chatting away.

Alexander sat next to Danielle, constantly making sure her plate was full, his eyes practically overflowing with affection.

Watching the kids enjoy their meal and feeling the heavy, loving gaze of the man beside her, a profound sense of peace washed over Danielle.

She knew that the walls between them were slowly, quietly crumbling away.

Over the next few days, the kids anxiously waited for their grades to be posted.

Niki mentioned it at least five times a day, entirely convinced she was going to be number one in her class.

Raffy, on the other hand, was incredibly tense. He spent every afternoon hiding in his room reading, as if trying to atone for bombing the test.

Alexander canceled all his non-essential evening meetings, coming home on time every day to be with Danielle and the kids.

He helped her prep dinner, built Lego sets with Niki, and tutored Raffy on his homework.

On the weekends, he even went out into the yard to build snowmen with them.

The morning the grades were released, Danielle turned on her phone to find a message from the homeroom teacher.

She clicked on it, a delighted smile breaking across her face.