Chapter 2

Chloe's POV

I looked at Alexander like this and almost burst out laughing.

He had probably conjured up an entire dramatic saga of a single mother on the run in his head—like me enduring hardship and humiliation alone in a foreign country to give birth to his child.

This instantly sent his already overflowing guilt soaring to its peak.

"Alexander, get a grip," I said, looking at him coldly. "Not every child in the world is yours."

"You're still trying to trick me!" Alexander suddenly stood up, his emotions raw. "The timing matches, the looks match! Chloe, you're doing this to get back at me, keeping my child from me, aren't you?"

"I know I was an ass, but I truly had no choice back then, Chloe. Let me hold her, I'm her father."

He reached out to touch Lily.

"Ah—!"

Lily shrieked, startled.

Her psychological defenses were fragile, and a strange man's closeness instantly sent her spiraling.

She let go of me, covered her ears, and crouched on the ground, her tiny body curled into a ball, beginning to tremble violently.

"Lily!" My heart tightened, and I quickly crouched down to comfort her.

Alexander stood there, flustered. "I... I didn't mean to, I just wanted to..."

The elevator door opened, revealing Aldrich.

"What's going on?"

Aldrich was wearing a dark gray cashmere coat, clearly just back from work, a strawberry mousse cake for Lily in his hand.

Seeing Lily trembling on the floor, he quickened his steps, first handing me the cake, then kneeling down on one knee.

He skillfully pulled Lily into his arms, his broad hand gently patting her back.

"Lily, it's okay, Daddy's home."

Lily, who had been screaming moments ago, immediately quieted down as soon as she heard Aldrich's voice and caught his familiar scent.

She buried her face in Aldrich's coat, her tiny hands clutching his collar, whimpering, "Daddy... I'm scared..."

Aldrich gently kissed her forehead, then stood up, holding her with one arm. With his other hand, he instinctively pulled me behind him.

He turned, facing a stunned Alexander.

Alexander stared at the child in Aldrich's arms, then at Aldrich's stern face.

"Daddy?" Alexander gritted his teeth. "Chloe, you're letting my daughter call some random guy 'Daddy'?"

Aldrich slightly raised an eyebrow, his gaze calm as he looked at Alexander, his voice gentle but sharp.

"Mr. Alexander, is it your family's etiquette to harass my fiancée and daughter at my doorstep late at night?"

Alexander looked at Aldrich.

The Aldrich family, though discreet and not flaunting their wealth, everyone knew Aldrich was a formidable figure.

He'd cut his teeth on Wall Street in his early days, then slowly began taking over the family business. He was a force to be reckoned with.

"Your wife and daughter?" Alexander laughed. He pointed at Aldrich. "When did the famous Aldrich suddenly get such a grown-up daughter? This child is clearly..."

"Clearly what?" Aldrich took a step forward. He was a head taller than Alexander, and his height advantage gave him an imposing aura. "Alexander, if you truly cared, if you had visited Chloe even once in her four years in Germany, you wouldn't be barking like a stray dog here now."

Alexander winced, his face flushing with embarrassment at having his secret exposed.

Aldrich didn't look at him again. He just turned to me, speaking gently. "It's cold out here. Take Lily inside. I'll handle the rest."

I nodded, took Lily, and closed the door.

The Alexander from back then would also tell me to hide behind him, but then, for his own future, he'd let go of my hand again and again.