Chapter 520
Chapter 520:
Truett had just learned to utter the word “Daddy.” Yet the man meant to hear it might never know.
Gabriela’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears when a sudden knock came.
Farley stepped in.
He froze for a moment, then asked gently, “Gabriela, why are you crying p>
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗻
She quickly averted her gaze, forcing a faint smile. “It’s nothing, just a speck of dust in my eye p>
Farley’s eyes flicked to the little boy in her arms. He could guess what stirred her heart — it was Wesley’s absence. A long sigh slipped from him.
But Gabriela clearly didn’t wish to linger on the subject.
Respecting her silence, Farley shifted the mood. “Come down for dinner p>
“Alright p>
Downstairs, Ken had prepared a lavish spread in celebration of New Year’s Eve. Loretta and Miriam had already returned to Moss Manor to celebrate New Year’s with Wesley, while the housekeeper had taken leave to spend time with her own family.
The dinner was a modest one, with just Gabriela, Farley, Ken, and Truett.
They were about to sit down when the sudden chime of the doorbell broke the quiet.
On the doorstep stood Tessa and Tyler.
Tessa, recently divorced and estranged from her parents, found the idea of dining alone unbearable, so she sought warmth at Gabriela’s place.
Tyler, with no one waiting for him at home, took it for granted that he’d join them.
The once still villa filled instantly with chatter and laughter.
Gabriela welcomed them warmly, motioning toward the table, while Ken hurried off to bring more utensils.
Perched in his high chair, Truett’s eyes lit up at the sight of familiar faces, and he greeted them with cheerful babbles.
Tessa immediately reached over, unable to resist pinching his plump little cheeks. “Oh, he’s precious! Look at him, already sitting up on his own p>
Almost as if to show off, Truett opened his mouth and clearly called out, “Daddy p>
Tessa froze, her eyes widening. The word carried too much weight. Knowing that his father already had a girlfriend, her gaze darted toward Gabriela. Seeing Gabriela’s serene, unreadable expression, Tessa let out a quiet breath of relief.
Tyler, however, did not take it so lightly. His face darkened, and his voice rose in outrage. “So, Truett can call for his father now? Then where is this so-called father of his? Gabriela, who is he? Tell me, and I’ll snap his legs myself p>
Tyler inherited his father’s fiery temper, his words laced with menace.
Gabriela’s heart lurched. She knew all too well that if Tyler knew the truth, he might storm off in a blind rage to confront Wesley.
Composing herself, she forced a faint scold into her voice. “Must you ask such things to ruin the mood p>
Tyler faltered instantly, the thought of upsetting her making him clamp his mouth shut.
He didn’t dare push further, worried even a stray word might bring tears to her eyes.
But Truett, innocent of the tension swirling around him, had no intention of keeping quiet. He delighted in his newfound skill, chirping the word over and over. “Daddy p>