Men? No Kidding

Chapter 5

"Do you expect me to smile at you like everything's perfectly fine?" Chloe's voice was calm, her gaze steady. "The only way I could do that is if I didn't love you."

Daniel panicked, pulling her into a desperate hug. "Chloe, no! You can't stop loving me!"

His embrace was crushing, as though he wanted to fuse her into his body. Chloe hesitated, her hands almost moving to hug him back—

"Knock, knock, knock!"

The sound at the door shattered the moment. Susan's anxious voice came through, "Mr. Murphy, Ava might have a fever!"

Daniel reluctantly let her go, his face etched with worry. "Chloe, I'll check on her real quick."

Chloe gave a small nod.

He left in a hurry, striding to the door and opening it. Susan leaned in, trying to peek inside, but Daniel stepped sideways, blocking her view. His voice was cold, all business. "Where's the baby?"

"In the nursery."

Before the door clicked shut, Chloe glimpsed Susan casually looping her arm through his.

Chloe sighed, changing into something more comfortable before making her way to the nursery. The door was slightly ajar. She stopped when she saw Daniel inside, rolling up his sleeves and carefully changing the baby's diaper.

She'd always known he'd make a wonderful father.

Sensing her presence, Daniel turned around, his face lighting up. He picked up the baby and walked over. "Chloe, do you want to hold her?"

Ava slept peacefully in his arms. Chloe reached out, but before she could, Susan swooped in.

"Ava just fed," she said sweetly, taking the child from him. "She might spit up, and we wouldn't want to mess up Mrs. Murphy's clothes, now would we?"

Daniel's expression darkened, but he turned to Chloe, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "Are you hungry? I could make you some pasta."

Chloe shook her head, and he wrapped an arm around her, leading her towards the bedroom.

But Susan called after him, "Mr. Murphy, the baby's still fussy. I can't handle her alone!"

He paused mid-step. Chloe gave him a faint smile. "You'd better stay. She might need you tonight."

"Okay. Don't wait up for me, alright? Get some rest."

Chloe returned to the bedroom, but sleep eluded her. Her mind was far too restless.

Late into the night, she got up and draped a coat over her shoulders. Quietly, she made her way back to the nursery. Peeking through the door, she saw Daniel slumped over the crib, fast asleep.

"You know," a voice said softly behind her. Chloe turned to see Susan standing there with a smug smile. "Mr. Murphy really is a great dad, don't you think?"

Chloe didn't respond, but her eyes narrowed slightly.

Susan chuckled, lowering her voice as though sharing a secret. "You know how they say, love me, love my dog? If he loves the baby this much, imagine how much he must love the baby's mother. Makes sense, right?"

"Is that so?" Chloe asked coldly, her voice sharp enough to cut.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Susan gasped with mock regret. "I forgot—you can't have children, so I guess you wouldn't understand."

Chloe's face hardened. "Pack your things. You're leaving tomorrow."

Susan raised an eyebrow, her expression dripping with defiance. "You're not the one who gets to make that call."

Before Chloe could respond, Susan flung open the nursery door. She picked up the baby, startling the child into loud, heart-wrenching cries.

The noise jolted Daniel awake, and moments later, Madison stormed into the room, her face lined with worry.

As if on cue, Susan sank to her knees, clutching the baby and sobbing. "Mrs. Murphy, please don't kick me out! I'm begging you!"

Madison snatched the baby from Susan's arms, glaring at Chloe. "What is going on here? It's the middle of the night!"

"It's my fault," Susan sniffled dramatically. "Mrs. Murphy was upset seeing Mr. Murphy cared for Ava and tried to take her away. She looked so scary—I just wanted to stop her! But then she said I was meddling and that I needed to leave."

Chloe's face was a mask of cold fury. "What nonsense are you spewing?"

But Madison wasn't listening. Her anger turned on Chloe. "In the dead of night, where exactly were you planning to take my precious granddaughter?"