Taming Demi's Mom (ONGOING)

Chapter 23

{LIAM}

"I'M sleepy now, I want to sleep right now, Dad," Demi pouted at me, which I find cute.

I'm still carrying her as we take in some fresh air here in the park. It's just a few steps from the ball venue, and the three of us decided to leave. Too many people were noticing us, wondering why my ex-wife and I were together with a child who looks so much like me. Despite wanting to shout to the world about their role in my life, I chose to keep them at a distance to avoid gossip and ensure they feel comfortable being with me.

I'm grateful now that Victoria doesn't oppose my every move. It seems like she's just going with the flow of events. But I don't know if I should be happy about what she's doing. It's strange that she doesn't get angry with me or throw our past in my face. Well, I'll just make the most of being with my daughter while she's still calm.

"Do you want to go home to our house?" I asked Demi with a smile. I'm quite excited to show her the kind of life she will have now that she's with her father.

She immediately nodded in response. I looked at Victoria. She was staring into space, deep in thought. Is she thinking about Jackson? My jaw tightens at the thought of that man. What other things don't I know about the two of them? Is it just a mere attraction between them, or do they already have a relationship? And why did they let each other be without any reaction earlier? Did they already have s*x? s**t! I don't want to think about those things right now.

"Victoria, I'll take both of you home for now," I told her.

She only snapped out of her thoughts then, looking at me. She paused briefly, as if processing what I just said.

She shook her head at me. "We have a hotel to stay in. My daughter and I will go back there," she refused to me.

"I mean, we'll just go home to our house now," she corrected herself. Maybe Jackson was staying at the hotel she mentioned? That's why she changed her mind about going home there. s**t! Why do I feel like Jackson is everywhere?

"Mom, I want to go home with Dad," Demi pleaded with Victoria.

Victoria was about to take Demi from me, but she held on tightly to my neck while shaking her head. I looked at my daughter's face, and I saw her teary eyes. Once again, I felt guilty for making the two of them leave our house. I let them down, and I don't deserve to be with both of them or to be called Dad by my daughter.

"I'm sorry. Don't cry now, baby. We'll go home with your Dad," Victoria said with a smile to our daughter.

"Take us home. I'm tired, and I want to rest," Victoria told me without looking into my eyes. She was referring to our house, where we lived when we were married, and I still reside there alone. I have helpers, and occasionally my parents and my two siblings visit me.

We left the park and headed to my car. Victoria was supposed to take Demi from me, but our daughter still refused to let go of her hold on me. So, Victoria volunteered to drive my car. I couldn't help but feel a slight squeeze in my heart because, after all those years, she still remembers the way to our house.

I got into the passenger seat, holding Demi. The entire ride to our home was silent. Victoria didn't want to talk to me, and I didn't know how to initiate a conversation. I didn't want to discuss our relationship while Demi was with us. I didn't want her to hear about it, even though she was now peacefully asleep.

I WATCHED my family from the door of my room. This is where Victoria and I used to sleep as a happily married couple. They were sleeping peacefully, embracing each other. I felt the urge to cry while watching them, as to me, this is the best and most beautiful thing to witness. I could watch them like this all night without getting tired, but I held back my emotions.This is not the time for this.

After a while, I closed the door to their room. I didn't want to risk waking them up with my presence. I went downstairs to the first floor. I knocked on Mrs. Siobel's room, where my housekeeper stays. She shares the room with her two nieces, Sabel and Terrence. Terrence works as a gardener for me, while Sabel is a maid in my house.

It didn't take long for their door to open. Terrence, looking extremely sleepy, greeted me. I felt a bit guilty, but what I needed to say was important, and I couldn't postpone it in case I forget.

"Sorry for waking you up. I wanted to talk to you alone, Terrence," I told him instant, so he wouldn't call Mrs. Siobel and her sister.

He stepped out of the room, closing the door slowly to avoid making noise.

"Good evening, Sir. Have you been home for a while?" Terrence asked me.

I led him to the living room where we could talk. We sat side by side on the sofa.

"We arrived a little while ago. I just wanted to tell you something. Please inform your auntie and your sister about it tomorrow," I said to him.

Terrence looked at me, attentively waiting for what I had to say.

"Regarding Ella, now that my daughter and her mother are back with me, I don't want Ella to set foot in my house again starting today. Don't worry, I'll take care of her. I just want the three of you to forbid Ella, in case I'm not here, from entering through the gate. Don't open it for her, and don't be swayed by her threats," I requested from Terrence.

Terrence smiled at me. "You have a child, Sir?" His question seemed excited, making me laugh. Terrence is only 15 years old, younger than Sabel, who is 19.

"Yes, I just found out earlier. I have a daughter," I replied with a smile. It feels good to say those words. Finally, I'll be a father.

"Alright, Sir. We'll take care of Ma'am Ella. Honestly, we're not scared of her. We just feel sorry for her," Terrence said, which made me furrow my brows.

I placed my hand on his shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Don't pity that woman. If you only knew the things she's done wrong, you'd despise her too. But I can't tell anyone about it," I explained to him.

I won't risk revealing that secret to anyone. First, it could harm my career as a prosecutor, and I might face legal consequences, affecting my father's political candidacy. Second, I don't want Victoria to know about it. Even though I wish for her to get the justice she's been fighting for her mother, I can't handle how she might perceive me after learning about it. Now that she's here with our daughter, I don't want to do anything that could distance them from me again.

As for Ella, I'm still figuring out how to deal with her. Even if I prohibit her from entering the house, I know her well that she won't stop just like that. I can't let her be seen by my daughter or Victoria, as she might say something harmful. I know how desperate she is to get my love and attention. Luckily, Victoria doesn't know her because I haven't introduced her to Victoria, and I won't dare to do so as if nothing happened.

"You can now go back to sleep. Thank you and sorry for the trouble," I added to Terrence.

He nodded with a smile. "No problem, Sir," he replied. He stood up and left me alone in the living room.

I don't know what I should feel right now. Since I brought Victoria and Demi here, every second feels like a ticking time bomb. It's like the sound of the clock is walking on eggshells. Or maybe I'm just overthinking things.

I won't let that bomb explode. I must be cautious in everything I do. I plan to visit and talk to Ella's father, Mr. Louis, as soon as possible. I know him well enough to be aware that he doesn't tolerate Ella's behavior, and I'm certain he disapproves of her pursuit of me. Perhaps he can find a way to stop Ella from disrupting my life. After all, Ella's innocence is at stake here. But Ella seems not to care about it. She is stubborn as hell.

If Ella and Victoria were to meet by chance, there's a possibility that the truth might come out, although I can't fathom how. Who knows, if Ella gets enraged, she might slip and reveal the truth. I hope Ella didn't see us earlier, and I hope the news doesn't reach her until I figure out how to handle the situation and her.