The Cold Heir's Contract Wife

003

The study fell back into silence after Marcus finished his report. Darian remained standing by the window, letting his cigarette slowly burn to ash between his fingers.

His mind was fixated on only one thing.

Jesslyn. A little girl who, even in her sleep, had to cling to a tattered doll for fear of losing the only comfort she had ever known. And Harper... the woman who willingly walked away from the comfort of her family with nothing but the clothes on her back, all to protect that child.

Darian exhaled the remaining smoke slowly. Throughout his life, he had seen far too many people betray one another for money. Yet, Harper had done the exact opposite.

SLAM!

Darian’s fist struck the surface of the teak desk hard enough to make Marcus reflexively straighten his posture.

"They intended to dump a five-year-old child in an orphanage," Darian said, his voice low and dangerous. "All because they were terrified of a blemish on their family reputation."

Marcus chose to remain silent. He knew perfectly well that his master's current calm was merely the peak of suppressed rage.

"Continue your investigation into the Collins family," Darian commanded. "I want to know who holds the most control in their company right now."

"Very well, Sir."

After Marcus excused himself, silence reclaimed the room. Darian rubbed his temples slowly. For the past several years, a good night's sleep had been a luxury he rarely afforded himself. And tonight, his mind was even more reluctant to rest.

The next morning, the atmosphere inside the mansion felt slightly different. For the first time in a very long while, the sound of small footsteps running lightly echoed through the corridor.

Jesslyn stood in front of a full-length mirror, holding the hem of her new cream-colored dress with the utmost care. Her eyes sparkled brightly.

"Harper..." she called softly, without taking her eyes off the mirror. "Is this... truly Jesslyn’s?"

Harper, who was tidying her own hair, turned and offered a small smile. "Yes, sweetheart."

Jesslyn looked back at the dress clinging to her body. "It's so beautiful..."

The way the little girl looked at the simple garment made Harper’s chest feel tight. It was as if, for these past five years, Jesslyn had never truly owned anything that was entirely her own.

"Can I wear it all the time?" Jesslyn asked innocently.

Harper laughed softly, trying to chase away the emotion threatening to overwhelm her. "The clothes will get dirty if you wear them all the time."

Jesslyn seemed to think seriously for a few seconds, then nodded firmly. "In that case, Jesslyn must wear this dress very carefully."

Harper gently stroked the top of her niece's head. However, before she could reply, a soft knock sounded on the opened bedroom door. A senior maid stood there respectfully.

"Miss Harper, Mr. Darian is waiting in the dining room."

Harper nodded politely. "Thank you."

As soon as the maid turned away, Jesslyn shifted closer to Harper, squeezing the edge of her aunt’s shirt. "Are... are we going to see the Uncle from last night again?"

"Are you scared?"

Jesslyn hesitated for a moment before giving a small nod. Harper immediately crouched down to meet her eye level.

"Uncle Darian will not hurt you, Jesslyn."

The little girl seemed to weigh Harper's words, still not entirely convinced. "Is he... a good person?"

That simple question left Harper stunned for a moment. Her mind drifted to Darian's actions since last night—the man had immediately taken them to the hospital, provided a proper shelter, and even ordered new clothes for Jesslyn without a second thought.

"Perhaps," Harper finally answered, choosing a safe sentence.

The mansion’s dining room felt too grand for just three people. The morning sun pouring in from the high windows illuminated the black marble tabletop, making it appear even longer.

Darian was already in his seat when Harper and Jesslyn entered. The man had just finished pouring coffee into his cup when he saw Jesslyn walking over, clutching her teddy bear tightly.

"Did you sleep well?" Darian asked, breaking the morning silence.

Jesslyn stopped walking instantly, appearing surprised because she did not expect the man to greet her first. "Yes..." she answered in a soft, tiny voice.

After that brief interaction, silence returned. Harper took her seat beside Jesslyn, occasionally observing Darian’s movements secretly. The man was indeed sparing with his words, yet strangely, Jesslyn’s fear was not as excessive as it had been the night before.

Minutes passed, and Jesslyn slowly squeezed the hem of her dress with her tiny fingers. "Uncle..."

Darian lowered the newspaper he was holding slightly. "Hm?"

"Thank you... for the dress."

Darian’s hand, which was about to lift his coffee cup, paused for a split second. "Do you like it?"

Jesslyn nodded quickly, her eyes sparkling with honesty. "I love it."

Darian leaned back against his chair casually. "In that case, we will buy much more later."

Jesslyn’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Much more?"

Harper almost choked on a laugh seeing her niece’s innocent expression, and Darian noticed. For the first time since setting foot in this residence, the tension in Harper’s shoulders seemed to loosen slightly. She no longer looked like a fugitive ready to bolt with Jesslyn at any given moment.

"Turns out what Harper said was true..." Jesslyn murmured innocently.

Darian raised one eyebrow slightly. "What did she say?"

"That Uncle is a good person."

Harper instantly bowed her head, pretending to be very busy with the food on her plate to hide her awkwardness. However, across the table, the corners of Darian’s lips moved faintly, forming a thin, suppressed smile.

After breakfast, Jesslyn played in the backyard accompanied by two maids. The faint sound of her small laughter could be heard all the way to the terrace. Harper stood leaning against a support pillar, watching the little girl with a wistful expression. It had been such a long time since she had seen Jesslyn play so freely, without a burden, as she was doing now.

"You mean everything to her."

Harper turned slightly when she realized Darian was already standing beside her, also directing his gaze toward the garden.

"Jesslyn only has me in this world," Harper replied flatly.

That answer left Darian silent for a few moments. "I have heard everything about the Collins family."

Harper offered a bitter smile, her eyes still looking straight ahead. "That means you also know they never wanted Jesslyn’s presence from the beginning."

Darian tucked one hand into his trouser pocket. "You held on for quite a long time in that house."

"I always thought they would grow to love Jesslyn as she grew older; Jesslyn even always tried to be a good child." Harper let out a heavy breath, her eyes trembling as she watched Jesslyn playing on the grass. "But it turns out I was wrong."

The morning breeze blew gently, ruffling a few strands of Harper’s hair. After a short silence, the woman spoke again. "After those DNA test results come out... I will leave."

Darian turned his head fully, looking at Harper with a demanding gaze. "Leave where?"

"I don't know yet. Anywhere."

"Are you serious about leaving Jesslyn after everything you've done for her?"

Harper furrowed her brows, looking at Darian with a lump of emotion that was beginning to feel exhausting in her chest. "I am not leaving her. You are her biological father. You have everything to give her a life far more decent than what I could provide."

Darian did not immediately refute her. He locked his gaze onto Harper's eyes for a few seconds before asking in a low voice, "Are you sure that is the real reason?"

The question instantly silenced Harper. For a moment, she felt Darian was capable of peeling back the greatest fear she had hidden so tightly.

"I am just..." Harper looked away, exhaling a heavy breath. "I don't have anything left now, Darian."

Before Darian could respond, the sound of hurried footsteps interrupted their conversation. Marcus walked over holding a gray document folder in his hand.

"Sir," Marcus called out formally.

The atmosphere on the terrace instantly turned tense. Marcus handed over the folder without a word. Harper reflexively held her breath as Darian’s fingers opened the pages of the DNA test results inside.

Darian’s gaze moved slowly, tracing line after line of text until he stopped precisely at the final page.

The man froze. A suffocating silence fell once more.

At the far end of the garden, Jesslyn was still laughing joyfully while running about, completely unaware that the thread of her destiny had just shifted entirely.

Darian closed the document folder with a slow movement. "She is my daughter."

Those two words slipped out with such immense weight, changing the entire dynamic in that place. Harper reflexively covered her mouth with one hand, feeling her chest suddenly constricted by a surge of mixed emotions.

She knew she should be happy. Jesslyn finally had a father who wouldn't treat her like a disgrace. But alongside that reality, a bitter realization struck Harper—her position in Jesslyn’s life might never be the same again after this day.

Harper hurriedly turned her face in another direction, trying hard to hold back the tears that were urging to spill out. However, that movement did not escape Darian’s observation.

"I will not let anyone hurt my daughter ever again starting today," Darian stated in a low but firm voice.

Then, after pausing for a few seconds, he added, "Including yourself, Harper... if you keep thinking that you have to bear all this burden alone."