Chapter 268

Daniel wore only thin pajama pants.

The flimsy fabric clung to his skin, offering little protection against the cold despite the heater running.

He was alarmingly thin—his loose pant legs barely concealed the sharp angles of his bones.

His small face had lost its softness, now all sharp edges, and his fragile frame looked especially pitiful lying in bed.

His leg was still injured.

His body was far weaker than most children's.

Yet his intelligence and maturity surpassed his peers.

Andrew Lucas's lips curved unconsciously at the memory of Daniel effortlessly outshining other kids at kindergarten.

But the smile froze when he recalled the boy calling him "monster" with those accusing eyes.

He forced himself to turn away, refusing to look at the child any longer.

That vile woman and her crippled son didn’t deserve his concern.

Even if the boy froze to death, what was it to him?

Andrew strode toward the door.

But he paused at the staircase.

Finally, he turned back.

Bending down, he picked up the fallen blanket.

With clumsy yet gentle movements, he draped it over Daniel, carefully tucking the edges around him.

His fingers accidentally brushed the child’s warm cheek.

No matter how harsh his words, he still loved Susan Thompson.

And their son.

His eyes burned suddenly. The man known for his ruthlessness now felt as helpless as an abandoned child.

Outwardly strong, his heart was riddled with wounds.

Severe psychological illness made him sensitive and fragile.

The ones he loved most could hurt him the deepest.

"Susan… Daniel…"

His throat tightened in a voiceless whisper.

"You’ve both left me."

After one last glance at the sleeping boy, he walked away, his silhouette bleak.

The moment he returned to his villa at Shallow Bay, his phone rang.

The caller ID made his pupils constrict.

Henry Bartley.

The man who had taken Susan from him.

"Impressive memory, Andrew. You still have my number," came the mocking voice.

"What do you want?" Andrew’s tone was glacial.

"Heard Nicole Capra got caught cheating at a hotel tonight?" Henry’s laugh dripped malice. "The video’s gone viral."

Andrew’s grip on the phone tightened.

"I spiked her drink and personally delivered her to Zachary Quinn’s bed." Henry lowered his voice. "This is what happens to those who hurt Susan."

After the call ended, Andrew immediately checked the news.

Footage of Nicole in disarray topped the trending list.

The comments were vile.

He dialed five times before she answered.

"Andrew—" Her voice was ragged with sobs. "Let’s call off the engagement… I’m not worthy of you anymore—"

"Don’t do anything reckless." His voice was strained. "I’ll handle it."

"But I’m tainted—"

"The wedding proceeds as planned." The promise was mechanical. "You’ll get justice."

Hanging up, Andrew stood motionless before the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Strangely, seeing his fiancée’s scandal didn’t spark betrayal or rage—just numb obligation.

He grabbed his car keys, ready to confront Susan.

But as he started the engine, her words echoed:

"You always believe others’ lies but never my truth."

His hands froze on the steering wheel.

What if… this was another misunderstanding?

"Pull the hotel surveillance," he ordered his assistant. "I need to know if Nicole entered that room willingly—or if she was drugged."