The Cold Heir's Contract Wife

004

"What is the meaning of all this, Darian?"

A woman's voice instantly shattered the tranquility of the mansion, replacing it with a sudden, tense atmosphere. Harper reflexively turned her head toward the main entrance.

A middle-aged woman stood there, draped in an elegant dark coat, her facial expression difficult to read. However, the moment her sharp gaze landed directly on Jesslyn, the little girl’s body instantly stiffened in terror.

Rosalie Vane stepped closer without a word. The rhythmic clicking of her heels against the marble floor echoed before she finally stopped right in front of Darian.

"I received a call from Marcus," Rosalie said, her tone icy. "He said there was something I needed to see immediately."

Darian did not look surprised by his mother’s sudden arrival. "The DNA test results are in."

Rosalie’s brows furrowed faintly as Darian handed the gray document folder to her. Silence crept back into the room as Rosalie read through the pages until the final leaf. Slowly, the lines on her face shifted.

"You... have a child?" she asked in a low voice. Her tone was not raised; it was overly calm, and that only made the atmosphere feel even more intimidating.

Darian gave a brief answer. "Yes."

Rosalie slowly lifted her head, her gaze returning to Jesslyn. Realizing this, Jesslyn immediately shifted backward, pressing her body against Harper while clutching her aunt’s waist tightly.

Rosalie observed the interaction for several moments with an unreadable expression. However, Harper could sense a flash of sharp judgment from the middle-aged woman's eyes.

"How long have you known of this child's existence?" Rosalie asked, not averting her eyes from Jesslyn.

"Just since last night."

Rosalie finally shifted her focus to Harper. "You are the one who raised her?"

The question left Harper stunned for a moment before she gave a slow nod. "Yes."

"Alone?"

"Ever since my sister passed away."

Rosalie did not respond immediately. Her gaze dropped for a moment to Jesslyn, who was still hiding behind Harper’s body while clutching her tattered teddy bear. The child looked so alert—a body language that revealed she was accustomed to feeling afraid of strangers.

"You brought her to live in this house?" Rosalie asked next, turning to her son.

"Yes."

Rosalie’s brow furrowed deeper. "Darian, this is not a small decision that you can make overnight."

"I know."

"The Averil family is preparing a dinner banquet for your engagement next week."

Harper reflexively turned her head slightly upon hearing the word engagement. Darian, however, did not seem troubled in the slightest.

"I never agreed to that plan," Darian replied flatly.

"The problem is not your agreement," Rosalie’s voice began to trail into coldness. "Now there is a young child who has suddenly appeared and become the legitimate heir to the Vane family."

Jesslyn buried her face further behind Harper’s body upon hearing that tone. Harper, sensing this, immediately stroked her niece’s back gently. "Calm down," she whispered reassuringly.

Rosalie observed Harper’s actions in silence. "The child seems very dependent on you," she noted softly.

Harper did not know how to respond, because what Rosalie said was a fact. "She has lost far too many things in her life," Harper answered finally.

Rosalie was silent for a moment. However, before the atmosphere in the room could turn even worse, Darian stepped toward Jesslyn and crouched down before her.

"Are you scared?" Darian asked.

Jesslyn peeked slowly from behind Harper’s waist. This time, she gave a small shake of her head. Perhaps it was because she realized Darian was not looking at her with the same trace of anger that Rosalie had shown.

Darian watched that small face for several seconds before speaking in a far softer tone. "Go to the room and get some rest first."

Jesslyn looked up instantly, staring at Harper as if asking for permission. As soon as Harper gave a small nod, she immediately led Jesslyn back toward the upper floor.

Yet, even after the guest room door was closed tightly, the tension in Jesslyn’s small body did not fully subside. The little girl immediately threw herself into Harper's arms, hugging her tightly.

"Are... are we going to be told to leave again?" she asked in a squeaky voice.

The question instantly silenced Harper. A child her age didn't even ask about new toys or nice clothes; the only thing she feared was losing her shelter for the umpteenth time.

Harper sat on the edge of the bed, gently stroking her niece’s hair with affection. "We are still here, Jesslyn."

"But the lady earlier looked angry..."

"Yes," Harper smiled faintly, trying to lighten the mood. "She was just surprised."

Jesslyn lowered her head, her tiny fingers playing with the ear of her worn-out teddy bear. "We always make other people angry, don't we...?"

Those innocent words, laden with guilt, made Harper’s chest feel incredibly pained. "It is not your fault, sweetheart. Not at all."

Jesslyn slowly raised her face again. "If Harper leaves... Jesslyn wants to come."

Harper couldn't take it anymore. She pulled the little girl into a tight embrace. Her tears fell uncontrollably. Ever since Brianna died, Harper had given her a kind of love Jesslyn would never get from her biological mother. Harper thought Jesslyn was already very happy, but it turned out Jesslyn wanted more than that—a home where she could lean on someone.

A few minutes passed in emotional silence before Jesslyn spoke again very softly.

"Harper..."

"Hm?"

Jesslyn seemed hesitant for a few seconds. "May I..." her voice was so small it was almost drowned out by the silence of the room, "call Harper... Mom?"

Harper’s breath instantly hitched in her throat. She was frozen, staring at Jesslyn’s face for so long that the little girl began to look nervous and awkward.

"If Harper doesn't like it... that's okay..." Jesslyn murmured faintly, preparing to retract her words.

Harper hurriedly shook her head fast. "It's not like that," she replied with a voice that had suddenly gone hoarse.

Jesslyn looked panicked the moment she saw Harper’s tears flowing even faster. "Harper, don't cry..."

Harper let out a small laugh through her sobs, then pulled the little girl’s body tightly to her chest. "Yes," she whispered softly but with emphasis. "Of course you may."

Jesslyn’s body froze for a few seconds in disbelief. "Really?"

Harper nodded firmly while wiping the remaining tears on her own cheeks. And for the first time since they set foot in this grand mansion, a very wide smile was etched onto Jesslyn’s face.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside Darian’s study felt many times colder. Rosalie stood tall near the desk, casting a sharp look at her only son.

"Do you realize what will happen to our business and our reputation if news of this child leaks to the public?"

Darian did not respond immediately. He removed his chronograph watch with very calm movements and placed it on the desk. "I don't care."

"Of course you must care, Darian!" Rosalie held her breath for a moment, trying to suppress her rising emotions before continuing, "The Averil family will not stand by and accept this insult."

"I never asked for or agreed to that engagement plan from the start."

Rosalie let out a short laugh laden with sarcasm. "The problem now is no longer just a matter of an engagement," her gaze turned incredibly serious. "You brought two strangers to live in this house just like that without any clear background."

"They are not strangers."

"Darian." Rosalie sounded exhausted by Darian’s attitude without considering the consequences. "You don't even know who that woman is."

Darian did not offer an immediate rebuttal. Deep in his heart, he realized the truth in his mother’s words. He indeed did not know Harper Collins deeply.

However, there was one thing he believed: Jesslyn was deeply dependent on Harper, and that was more than enough.

"I just want to be responsible, like a father to his child!" Darian answered firmly.

Rosalie was stunned hearing Darian’s words. Darian’s gaze looked even firmer, colder, as if his decision was absolute and could not be refuted.

"You... you can do it another way, Darian. Money... money can solve it!" Rosalie suggested in a softening voice, hoping Darian would agree to her suggestion and choose the young lady from the Averil family instead.

"I will not do that! My decision is final. Jesslyn is my child; it is impossible for me to let her leave my side!"

Darian’s words were firm, and he chose to leave his mother, who looked increasingly frustrated.

"Darian, you are truly crazy!" Rosalie shouted, feeling frustrated by Darian’s decision.