Chapter 8
Dakota’s heart skipped a beat, bitter and unwilling.
While Damien was at the office, she sneaked off to the Child Welfare
Center.
“Tessa, do you want to be with Daddy and me forever?”
Tessa’s eyes widened. “Of course!”
Then she hung her head sadly. “But Daddy said it’s a secret. Norah can’t know, or I won’t be able to go home.”
Dakota’s eyes gleamed as she leaned close to whisper in Tessa’s ear.
“On the day of the welcome party, you….
“Did you understand, sweetie?”
Tessa nodded thoughtfully. “I’ll do exactly what you say, Mommy.”
Before, Dakota didn’t fight to be Damien’s wife because his career was inferior to her other suitors.
She had better options.
But after some events abroad… she returned to take back her place ast
Damien’s wife.
On a weekend night, Norah looked at the stars one last time through the bedroom telescope.
The blue star began to dim.
At midnight, it flashed brilliantly, then traced a perfect arc across the sky.
Eventually, it vanished into the vast universe.
Damien still hadn’t returned, only called to ask about tomorrow’s welcome party.
Norah looked around the lavishly decorated reception room. “Don’t worry. It’ll be unforgettable.”
At the same time, she booked a flight back to Chicago for early tomorrow morning.
She remembered Stephen’s words clearly. “Anyone who doesn’t show up is a coward.”
She stayed up all night until dawn broke.
Norah pushed her luggage out of the villa; a black SUV waited at the gate.
She put on her sunglasses. “Goodbye, ridiculous past.”
Damien woke suddenly from a dream. Dakota was sleeping in his arms.
He’d dreamed of him and Norah cuddled, watching the stars.
Then, in an instant, the sky went pitch black.
Norah, who was beside him, disappeared.
In his dream, he was so anxious that he was sweating and looking everywhere.
“Norah!”
Dakota groggily opened her eyes, pouting, “Damien, you woke me up.”
A bad feeling crept over Damien.
He pushed Dakota aside and hurriedly put on his clothes.
On the way, he called the family lawyer. “As soon as the City Hall opens, go get the marriage certificate, no delays.”
Only after the lawyer promised everything would be handled did he relax a bit.
Waiting at a red light, a black SUV pulled up alongside him.
Damien’s phone still showed yesterday’s conversation with Norah. “It’ll be unforgettable.”
He rushed back to the villa and grabbed the housekeeper. “Have you seen Norah?”
“Mrs. Harvick left early this morning to buy fresh flowers.”
Damien felt a bit relieved.
The welcome party was truly lavish; a life–sized framed photo hung at the
center of the hall.
Just as Damien reached to lift the cover, the housekeeper stopped him.
“Mrs. Harvick asked that it not be opened until all the guests arrive.”
Damien withdrew his hand.
Guests arrived one after another. Busy greeting them, Damien didn’t notice that Norah had not returned.
As the party began, Tessa descended the staircase in a princess dress.
Damien wore a proud, fatherly smile.
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Suddenly, the door slammed open.
Dakota appeared at the entrance, wearing a couture gown.
All eyes turned to her glamorous arrival.
Damien’s face darkened as he hurried to Dakota’s side.
He whispered, “Didn’t I tell you to keep a low profile?”
Dakota shrugged innocently. “Isn’t this the dress your assistant gave me?”
Damien was confused but had no time to argue.
Clearing his throat, he announced, “Welcome, everyone. Now, let me introduce today’s guest of honor–Tessa Harvick.”
Damien held Tessa’s hand as they stood before the giant cake.
The cake–cutting was meant for the adoptive parents and their daughter, but Norah’s spot was empty.
Where was Norah?
“I’ll do it.”
Dakota walked forward gracefully and took the knife from a maid.
Whispers spread among the guests.
“If I’m not mistaken, Mrs. Harvick is someone else, right?”
“Who is she? She looks like the lady of the house.“.
“Have you noticed? The Harvick family’s adopted child looks strikingly similar to this woman.”
****
Damien quickly interrupted, “Ahem, thanks for your kindness, ma’am, but I think it’s more appropriate for my wife to do it.”
Dakota’s expression flickered, and she glanced at Tessa.
Tessa caught on immediately.
She grabbed Dakota’s hand and said, “Dad, let Mom cut the cake. Norah. isn’t my mom, after all.”
The words hit like a bomb, leaving Damien stunned.
Damien clamped his hand over Tessa’s mouth, his face fierce.
“Who told you to say that? Your mom is Norah!”
The next moment, the cloth covering the photo behind him slipped off.
A giant photo was revealed to everyone.
It showed Damien and Dakota, disheveled and drenched in sweat.
Damien’s face turned pale as he rushed to the photo, trying to block the explicit image.
The guests whispered to each other.
It was already too late, the guests had already recognized the two main characters in the photo.
On the side, Dakota also stood there in a daze.
Damien’s blood rushed to his head, causing dizziness and blurred vision.
He took out his phone and dialed Norah’s number. “The number you have dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later…”
Damien was completely panicked.
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