Chapter 7: Wanting To Keep Him To Herself
But Olivia was no longer the timid servant who had to submit to Nathan’s authority. He had personally told her not to return five years ago!
She stood her ground and spoke calmly, “I don’t think there’s anything to discuss with you, Mr. Carter. There’s something I must clarify. Liam isn’t your child.”
Her words were casual, but Nathan’s expression froze. The temperature seemed to drop around him.
“If he’s not my child, whose child is he?” His voice turned frosty as his gaze shifted to Benjamin, who had been standing nearby. “Is it his?” His eyes, already cold, turned even icier as he locked his gaze on Benjamin.
Benjamin, who had been caught in the crossfire, remained unfazed. Olivia took a deep breath and replied, “I don’t think I need to explain to you whose child he is, Mr. Carter. Please return my child to me.”
Her voice was resolute, her demeanor hard and hostile.
Nathan’s expression darkened further. She has changed, he thought. In the past, she would have been submissive, addressing him with the respect of “sir.” But now, she referred to him only as “Mr. Carter.” She was distant, almost cold.
Just as the atmosphere grew tense, the villa doors opened suddenly, and Liam’s small figure appeared, rushing out eagerly. “Mommy, you’re finally here?” he called out, his childish voice brimming with excitement.
Both Olivia and Nathan’s attention snapped to the little one as he sprinted toward them. Olivia instinctively reached out to catch him, fearing he might fall. As Liam landed softly in her arms, he exclaimed, “Mommy, I missed you so much!”
Olivia’s anger quickly faded when she saw him trying to win her over with his affection. Still, she raised her hand and playfully smacked him on the behind. “William Monroe, you really need to be disciplined! How dare you come overseas on your own without my permission? Do you want to be punished?” Her tone was stern, though she didn’t apply much force.
Liam, ever the quick thinker, nuzzled against her neck, his voice soft and apologetic. “Mommy, this was my fault. Please don’t be angry. I won’t do it again!” But Olivia didn’t believe him. He always made these promises, only to run off again later. Liam was incredibly bold and clever for his age, and she knew he could take care of himself.
Despite her reservations, she couldn’t stay mad at him. After a moment, she composed herself and said firmly, “Pack your things. We’re leaving right now.”
Liam, still acting coy, hesitated. He glanced between his mom’s stern expression and Nathan’s cold, unyielding presence. Cautiously, he said, “Mommy, can we not go back? I… I found Daddy…”
“Daddy?” Olivia frowned, her tone sharp. “Who told you he’s your daddy?”
Liam’s lip trembled. “I checked!” He pouted, feeling wronged. “I even did a DNA test. It can’t be wrong.”
Tears welled up in his eyes, and he pulled at the hem of Olivia’s clothes. His babyish voice cracked as he sobbed, “Mommy, I want Daddy. All my classmates taunt me for being an illegitimate child with no father. Now that I finally found Daddy, I want to stay with him!”
Olivia’s heart clenched at his words, the pain sinking deep. Over the years, she had raised Liam on her own. She worked tirelessly, giving him all the love and attention she could, ensuring he never lacked anything. He had grown up strong, smart, and mature, always there to comfort her when she was exhausted. But now, he was confessing something she hadn’t expected—he wanted a father.
Her heart shattered into pieces. Did he run away all those times to look for his father? she wondered. Despite all his maturity, Liam still longed for a father figure. The thought made her heart ache, but at the same time, she selfishly couldn’t bear the thought of sharing him with anyone.
“I don’t like to share him with anyone!” she thought, her emotions torn between wanting to protect him and the realization that he needed more than just her.
