Chapter 10

Daisy did not reach for Layla and instead clung tighter to Seth. Seeing them like this made Layla break into a cold sweat. She couldn't keep her voice from shaking as she said disapprovingly, "Daisy, how many times have I told you to stay away from strangers? Why don't you ever listen?" Layla reached to pluck Daisy out of Seth's arms, but the little girl refused to let go. She even pointed at Seth's mouth and made an eating gesture. Layla knew what Daisy was implying: she wanted Seth to stay for dinner. She could deny it all she wanted, but the father-daughter bond between Daisy and Seth was iron-clad and intrinsic. It terrified Layla. The thought of Daisy getting close to Seth and the latter discovering the truth of the little girl's birth story sent chills down Layla's spine. What if Seth decided to snatch Daisy away from her just like he did Benjamin? But Daisy was still young, and Layla couldn't bring herself to disappoint the child. After some hesitation, she said, "Sweetheart, Mr. Parker doesn't like having meals outside his home. Let's not put him in a difficult position, all right?" Before Daisy could respond, Seth interjected in a gravelly voice, "I can stay for dinner." With that, he brushed past Layla with Daisy in his arms and made his way into the living room. Layla's face darkened as she stormed up to him and cut him off. "Haven't I made myself clear today, Seth? Stay out of my life." Seth eyed her evenly. "I'm your daughter's dinner guest, Ms. Jenkins. You can't possibly find fault with that." "She's a little girl who doesn't know right from wrong! Please get out of my house. You're not welcome here," Layla ground out. Seth was surprisingly calm for someone whose company had never been turned down before now. He merely raised a brow at Layla and drawled, "Look at you, so shaken. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were hiding something from me." Layla's fingers curled at her sides, horrified by Seth's perceptiveness. "Seth, you and I are leading new and different lives now. The least you could do as a respectful ex is to keep an appropriate distance from me." Seth appraised Mark lazily. "I don't think Dr. Kirkland is so small-minded that he'd kick up a fuss over my being here. I just wanted to talk to you about Benjamin's educational welfare; I'm not here to steal you away. "And if Dr. Kirkland were to kick up a fuss, he wouldn't be much of a gentleman, would he?" Layla was about to argue with Seth when Mark interjected, "It's just an extra place at the table. You're welcome to join us for dinner if you like, Mr. Parker. I'll go fix you a plate right now." Seth nodded once and said mildly, "Sorry to impose on you." He took a seat at the table, Daisy still in his arms, and stared at the plate of food that had been fixed for the little girl. A lump formed in his throat. He could tell Layla had prepared the food and made sure Daisy had a balanced diet. She used to do that for Benjamin when he was younger too. Sometimes, she would experiment multiple times in the kitchen to come up with a new recipe for Benjamin. She would wrap her arms around Seth's neck and squeal in delight whenever Benjamin licked his plate clean. "Did you see that, honey? Benjamin finished everything I made for him! What an angel!" Back in those days, Seth was convinced Layla could wield magic. She could always put him at ease and banish the day's exhaustion with a few simple lines. The house felt warmer and fuller with her around. At first, he believed a woman's touch was the key to a warm and happy home. But Layla took the warmth with her when she left; he hadn't known the feeling of a cozy home since. He realized then that only Layla could give him the warmth he sought. The memory of their life together brought shadows into Seth's eyes. He picked up the toddler utensils and handed them to Daisy. He asked softly, "Think you can eat your dinner yourself?" Daisy shook her head and nudged the utensils at him, silently asking him to feed her. He didn't mind as he spooned some food from her plate and fed it to her. She grinned at him, threatening to melt his heart with the twinkle in her eyes. Seth's lips curled in triumph. He glanced at Mark and said smugly, "Don't be jealous that your kid adores me." Mark chuckled, ever the magnanimous host. "Yeah, well, she has a thing for good-looking men, and you fall within that category. She used to get along with one of my interns too." Although he did not bait a reaction out of Mark, Seth did not give up and instead devoted himself to feeding Daisy. He was sure that any man would be jealous if they saw their daughter getting along with their wife's former flame. However, Mark maintained his smile throughout dinner and gave Layla a helping of spinach. He prompted gently, "Have more spinach. They're rich in iron." Layla was about to speak when Seth beat her to it. "Mr. Kirkland, don't you know Layla doesn't eat spinach?" Layla paused for a moment before she popped the spoonful of spinach into her mouth. She even flashed Mark a smile as she nodded and said, "Delicious. I love that buttery aftertaste, and the silky texture is divine." Mark gave her a few more helpings. "You should have more of it. I made it just the way you like it." Seth snorted as he watched Layla eat mouthful after mouthful of the vegetable she hated. "You don't have to swallow spinach just to prove to me you're in love, Layla. You have every right to eat what you like and leave aside what you don't. Why torture yourself to please someone else?" She cut him a withering look. "I used to do that, but I'm past torturing myself and compromising." Seth stiffened at her words. He never liked spinach, so she never put it in any of their meals. Over time, he just assumed she hated spinach as much as he did. Little did he know, she was doing it for him. His heart tightened as the realization dawned upon him. Just how much had she hidden from him? She must have loved him beyond reason if she had so willingly compromised and put up with him for so long. She had given up so much for him, only for him to hurt her in the cruelest ways. A bitter smile curled Seth's lips. His gaze fell on Daisy as he said hoarsely, "I'll find the best doctor there is to treat your daughter. I promise I'll have her call you 'Mommy' one day, just like the other kids do with their mothers." There was not a flicker of emotion or appreciation on Layla's face when she heard this. She bit out impassively, "Thanks for the offer, Mr. Parker, but I'm just a teacher, and you're a parent whose kid is in my class. You don't have to go out of your way to do me this favor. "Besides, Mark happens to be an expert in Daisy's condition. I'm sure he knows what to do." Seth countered gravely, "If he does, Daisy's condition would have improved by now, and she wouldn't still be non-verbal at three years old! Layla, you don't have to push me away like this. "You might have washed your hands off Benjamin, but you could at least think of your daughter's best interests." Layla stared at him frostily. "If you're here to talk to me about this, you may leave now. I won't accept your offer." She rose from her seat and plucked Daisy from Seth's arms, then motioned for him to leave. He shot her a defiant look and remained in his seat. "Layla, what are you afraid of? Why are you so scared of me and Benjamin getting close to you?"