Chapter 592
Chapter 592:
His tiny sounds of discontent were impossible to ignore.
Who could resist such a heartfelt display of need?
Even Gabriela couldn’t. Her cheeks flushed with mild embarrassment as she asked, “Mr. Howard, is it alright if I keep holding him while we talk p>
She reasoned it was fine, since the baby would not understand any of the adult conversation.
Matthew observed the boy’s strong bond with Gabriela, and a troubling thought stirred within him.
“Gabriela, whose child is this?” he asked, the question slipping out despite how inappropriate it was.
𝗖h𝗂n𝘦s𝖾 𝗻𝗼𝗏𝘦l𝘀 𝘁r𝖺ոѕl𝘢tе𝖽 𝘰𝘯 ѕ.𝖼оm
As her father, he feared she might be retracing her mother’s difficult path.
Before Gabriela could respond, Farley cut in sharply, “Mr. Howard, didn’t you come here to apologize? Why are you probing into her private life? The child’s parentage does not seem like it is your business p>
“It’s everything to me,” Matthew thought, stung by envy and frustration.
Records showed Farley was merely Alanna’s former assistant. How had he become such a paternal figure to Gabriela?
She was his daughter.
But Matthew swallowed those thoughts and turned to Gabriela, hoping for a softer response.
Instead, she nodded coolly. “Mr. Howard, if you have something important to say, go ahead, but my personal matters are not your concern p>
Her distant tone left Matthew with a quiet ache.
Gabriela pressed a gentle kiss to Truett’s cheek, whispering, “Be good, Truett. Farley will look after you for a bit p>
Farley, with a warm smile, took the reluctant boy, soothing him as he carried him to another room.
The tender scene pierced Matthew’s heart, his eyes welling with unspoken grief.
His fists clenched as he held back a wave of sorrow.
In the study, Gabriela faced him. “Mr. Howard, what do you need to discuss p>
Matthew hesitated for a long moment, then finally, unable to contain himself, he blurted, “Please, stop calling me Mr. Howard p>
The formality felt like a wall between them.
He could not stand it.
Gabriela tilted her head, puzzled. “Then what should I call you p>
A sharp pang twisted in Matthew’s chest.
He realized that her strained history with Rebecca had only deepened her wariness toward the Howard family.
Revealing that he was her father now might only push her further away.
Cautiously, he asked, “Gabriela, I heard you’ve never met your father p>
She frowned, finding his question increasingly strange.
“My mother said he went far away,” she replied, her voice flat.
Relief washed over Matthew, grateful that Alanna had not spoken ill of him to their daughter.
Gabriela went on, “As I got older, I assumed he must be dead. Why else would he never show up p>
Her words hit Matthew like a blow, deepening his sorrow.
“Maybe he had reasons beyond his control,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.
“That means nothing to me,” she replied, devoid of feeling.
Memories of her childhood surfaced—her mother caring for her alone until she was eight, followed by the nightmare that began after her death.
She had once dreamed of a heroic father swooping in to save her from her aunt’s starvation punishments or when Phyllis beat her nearly to death.
But growing up had shattered those childish fantasies.
Matthew’s heart broke at her emotionless reference to her father.
To her, he was a stranger—not even worth resenting.
Noticing the pain in his gaze, Gabriela grew uneasy.
Was Matthew… pitying her?
How peculiar.
Worried about her son, she said, “Mr. Howard, if there’s nothing urgent p>
“There is!” he interrupted, his voice tight with urgency and unspoken truth.