Chapter 2

Seth stood in the hallway for a long time, watching until the figures of Layla and her family completely disappeared. The principal happened to pass by just then, and he greeted Seth with a smile. "Mr. Parker, what brings you here? Did your son get into trouble again?" Seth muttered, "Yeah." Then, he asked, "Why was Layla Jenkins here?" The principal was surprised. "Do you know her? She's one of the new teachers we've hired. She's guided her students to win numerous International Mathematical Olympiad competitions in the past. "She's highly skilled in teaching and management. I've assigned her to your son's class—maybe she can handle him." Hearing this, Seth frowned deeply. Layla, a design prodigy who had been admitted to art school through special talent recruitment, had now become an elementary school teacher? At just 16, she had sold a wedding gown that she had designed for a high price. After graduation, she had given up her dream to repay his financial support and just worked as his secretary instead. Becoming an internationally renowned wedding gown designer had always been her ambition. Why would she abandon her dream to work as an elementary school teacher? The more Seth thought about it, the more something seemed amiss. He immediately took out his phone and called his assistant. "Look into Layla for me," he said. He couldn't believe that someone so passionate about her dreams would give them up so easily. After hanging up, he exchanged a few more words with the principal before walking into the classroom. Benjamin was slumped over his desk, still sulking. Seth knocked on the desk. "How do you still have the nerve to be angry? How many times have you made me come in this week?" Benjamin tilted his head up to look at him. "You're annoyed with me, right? You like that mute… that little girl more, don't you? You don't love me anymore!" Seth ruffled his son's hair. "She's not my daughter. Why would I like her? But Layla is your mother. You shouldn't treat her that way." "She's not! All these years, she has never come to see me. She only cares about her daughter. Why should I call her 'Mom?'" Seth shot him a warning look. "Regardless, she's the one who gave birth to you. Don't be so rude. Do you understand?" Benjamin pouted and nodded reluctantly. "Let's go. I'll take you to get something to eat." Benjamin took his bag and followed Seth with his head hanging low. His mind was still filled with images of Layla doting on that little girl. As he walked, he muttered under his breath, "I don't want to share a mom with some mute girl. It's embarrassing just thinking about it." … Meanwhile, Layla got into the car with Mark. There was a cheerful smile still on her face. Mark looked at her with concern. "Laylabug, if you don't want to smile, don't force yourself." Layla's smile turned bitter. "I'm fine. I've already let go of everything I should have. Getting the job today is enough to make me happy." Mark glanced in the rearview mirror. "If it weren't for your wrist injury, you would have already taken the design world by storm. You wouldn't have had to settle for being a schoolteacher." The mention of her injury made her eyes dim, and her right hand trembled slightly. She would never forget the pain of the knife plunging into her wrist, nor the man's cold interrogation. "Where is Seth's project proposal? If you don't tell me, I'll ruin your hand." Despite the agony, Layla knew how important that project was to Seth. If it succeeded, he could establish himself in Kingsville and become the heir of the Parker family's legacy. Yet, she also knew what it would cost her to stay silent. Even so, for Seth's sake, she was willing to risk her life to keep his secrets. She had clenched her teeth and endured the searing pain as blood dripped onto the floor, refusing to utter a word. Enraged, her assailant had stomped on her wound, sending waves of excruciating pain through her. Luckily, someone had passed by then, and she was saved. It wasn't until she was at the hospital that she learned that the injury had damaged her nervous system. From then on, she could no longer perform intricate movements, let alone draw. Her dreams died that day. By the time Seth returned from his business trip, her wound had mostly healed. Layla had brushed it off as a minor injury, saying that it was nothing serious. She had foolishly believed that he would care about her. Not wanting to burden him with additional stress, she kept the truth to herself. Looking back now, she realized how naive she had been. What she had thought was deep affection turned out to be her shielding Seth from harm while he remained indifferent. Seth had never truly loved her. Recalling these memories, Layla let out a self-mocking laugh. No matter the pain or regret, the past was the past. Now, her only focus was on the future and helping her daughter recover while watching her grow. The three of them went to a Wistrian restaurant. There, Daisy was full of curiosity, and she began running around the hall. Then, she accidentally bumped into Seth. Daisy looked up at him with a wide grin. She dug into her pockets with her chubby hands and pulled out a lollipop. She handed it to him and then pointed at her round cheeks, signaling to him to eat it. Before Seth could react, Benjamin snatched the lollipop away. "Don't think my dad will eat your stuff," he said disdainfully. He was about to throw the candy into the trash, but Seth stopped him. "Benjamin, don't be rude." Benjamin froze, then begrudgingly returned the lollipop. "Fine. If you're not afraid of being poisoned, then go ahead and eat it." With that, he turned around and stormed back to the table. Seth bent down to look at Daisy. His tone was uncharacteristically gentle as he asked, "How old are you?" She looked like she was two years old, but Daisy held up three fingers. Seth's chest tightened. He had divorced Layla four years ago. This girl was three. Could she be… Just as he was about to ask more, Layla's voice came from behind him. "Daisy, come to Mommy. Don't run around." Daisy waddled back into her mother's arms. She pointed at the lollipop in Seth's hand and patted her chest, as if to say, "I gave that to him." Layla bent down to pick her up, and her voice was gentle as she asked, "Sweetheart, didn't Mommy tell you not to talk to strangers? They might take you away, and then Mommy won't be able to find you again." Hearing this, Daisy clung tightly to her mother's neck and shook her head vigorously, as if promising that she would never do it again. Layla kissed her forehead and smiled. "Good girl. Let's go eat." Just as she turned to leave, Seth's voice rang out behind her. "Layla, is she my daughter?"