All Chapters of I HEARD HIM SAY " DADDY": Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

ANNALISE I walked to the bar in the house tucked into a corner of the living room where the lights glowed soft and golden, Evelyn was already there, perched on one of the high stools, practically vibrating with energy with the drinks poured in the glasses. It wasn’t loud or crowded like a public place—just quiet, intimate, a space that felt almost safe. But even here, as I stepped through the door, my stomach fluttered like a bird trapped in my ribs. She caught sight of me immediately and practically leapt from her seat. “Annalise!” she called, her voice so bright it made me want to laugh despite the nerves tightening in my chest. “I know you can’t take alcohol because of the baby, so I asked Vera to get you some natural juice. I hope you like it.” I forced a smile as Vera handed me a tall glass, amber liquid shimmering in the soft light. My hands trembled just slightly, and I brought the glass to my lips, trying to hide it. I had to—I couldn’t let her see how fragile I felt in

ANNALISEVera brought out the food just as Evelyn rose from her seat. Her phone vibrated softly against the table, and she glanced at the screen before looking up.“I need to take this,” she said calmly. “It is a business call.”Her voice was smooth, almost casual, but there was something in the way her eyes lingered on the table—sharp, deliberate—that made my stomach tighten. No one questioned her as she excused herself and left the dining room.Her absence stretched longer than expected. By the time she returned, the food had already been served. She looked composed, as she always did, but something about her expression had shifted. There was a subtle hardening at the edge of her eyes, a tightness around her mouth, a restraint she wielded like armor. It was the sort of calm that made others tremble quietly within themselves, the quiet of someone who had gathered knowledge and weighed its power.“Mum, are you alright?” Aiden asked, his voice low, his concern threaded with caution.“

ANNALISEAiden grabbed the pillow, and flopped onto the bed like a storm had hit the room. I froze for a heartbeat, staring at him, trying to understand how a simple argument had spiraled so fast.Why was he angry?All I’d done was call him out. Just pointed out what he was doing—what he always did—and now… this. He lay there, arms splayed across the sheets, the weight of his anger evaporating almost instantly as exhaustion took over. Within minutes, the rise and fall of his chest steadied, and a soft, almost imperceptible snore slipped from him.“Ooh,” I muttered under my breath, trying not to roll my eyes too hard. “He’s actually snoring.” I reached over, tugged the blanket away violently to disturb him.A groan, a shift, and then nothing—he didn’t even open his eyes. He just continued sleeping, completely oblivious.Frustration clawed at me. It wasn’t fair. How could someone switch off like that? One moment furious, the next… nothing. Not even a trace of the fight from earlier.Sig

AIDEN Thin lines of morning light slipped through the blinds, cutting across the floor in sharp bands. The brightness irritated me more than it should have. It felt intrusive, like the day was demanding something from me before I was ready to give it. I needed a shower—not just to wake my body, but to rinse off the restless tension clinging to my skin. The kind of tension that came from frustration you could not name out loud. I had appointments and meetings scheduled for the day. People were waiting on decisions from me. I was expected to be clear, composed, and in control. Those expectations usually grounded me, but this morning they only added to the pressure in my chest. What I did not have time for was the complication now living in my space under the polite excuse of a contracted marriage. I pushed myself off the bed, pressing my hands into the mattress as if standing required effort beyond the physical. My body felt heavy and stiff. My shoulders were already tense, drawn t

ANNALISE “I’m here to officially resume work as Head of Design,” I said, keeping my voice even, measured, professional. “I received my appointment letter yesterday.” The girl seated in front of Aiden froze mid-motion. Slowly, she lifted her head to look at me, confusion spreading across her face in real time. “We… we were hiring,” she said after a moment, blinking rapidly. “How come i didn't even know that?” She glanced at me again, then back at Aiden, her brows knitting together. “But Head of Design?” Her voice dropped, unsteady now. “That position wasn’t even vacant.” Her lips parted slightly, realization dawning. “That’s my position.”The color drained from her face so fast it startled even me. She pushed her chair back abruptly and stood, her movements clumsy with panic. Her eyes darted toward Aiden’s office like it was the only solid thing left in the room. “Mr. Blackwood,” she called out, her voice trembling despite her effort to sound composed. “What is going on