All Chapters of Seducing my daughter's dad: Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

POV ClariceHow ironic.We sat there, facing each other in silence, not touching our food, just staring at nothing, avoiding each other’s eyes for what felt like endless minutes. Ava chewing on her own thoughts, me chewing on mine.Neither of us would give an inch; even so, I trusted she could still be my anchor, my saving grace. I still wanted my best friend to be my accomplice in this vast sea of lies I was drowning in.“I still don’t understand why you married Gabriel.” She’d understood perfectly well, of course; she was just stretching the rope, trying to make me change my mind. “Is it just to win over some three-year-old before revealing you’re her actual mother?”“Don’t use your sarcasm on me, not in a situation like this.” A scowl crossed Ava’s face, revealing the impatience she was trying to hide. “Gabriel needed to get married to claim his inheritance. I did this for Charlotte.”“You made the exact same mistake twice.” She mocked, a bitter smile crossing her lips. “You marrie

POV ClariceMy stomach sank, and I stood frozen far too long in the middle of the diner while people bumped into my shoulder, grumbling at me for standing there like a statue blocking the way.It had never once crossed my mind that Frank could be in love with me.That everything he’d done had been out of love, or that he’d kept digging deeper and deeper into my tragic story because, somehow, he wanted to protect me.I took a deep breath, knowing it was time to leave.My whole body burned like it had caught fire.Without a second thought, I walked out and got back into the car. I sat in the seat, watching the city blur past my eyes as the security guard asked where he should take me.“Back to the mansion, please.” I said When I caught him watching me through the mirror.There was no guarantee that man wouldn’t tell Gabriel everything he’d seen, but honestly, it wouldn’t have made a difference to me. This situation had already spiraled far beyond my control a long time ago.And I was ex

POV ClariceI held Charlotte tight in my arms and ran with her into the building. Rushed, I pushed through the door, trading the sound of pouring rain for the quiet calm of the reception area.She curled into herself and whimpered. I pulled back so I could look into her eyes.“I’m right here, okay?” She nodded. “You don’t need to be scared.”I turned to the receptionist and handed over Charlotte’s paperwork. I was ready to find us a suitable spot to sit while I planned out a conversation in my head. Definitely the first friendly conversation I’d ever have with my daughter, when a shadow stopped right in front of me.I recognized those bright red heels, that sickly sweet perfume, instantly.Charlotte’s sudden burst of excitement confirmed I wasn’t mistaken.“Aunt Emily!” She jumped up and ran straight into the woman’s arms.I squeezed my eyes shut, fighting to keep the frustration, the fury building inside me, under control. I’d been so close to finally starting to build a bridge betwe

POV GabrielI walked into the outpatient ward when the doctor intercepted me and started talking.“It’s a miracle your wife survived, walked away from that accident without any lasting damage.” He paused, far too dramatically. “She’s got some burns across her body, a few fractured ribs, but she survived.”He smiled because it was good news. On the other hand, I had no idea what to say. I didn’t know if I could even walk into that room and see how Skay was doing without feeling completely gutted inside.“About the driver who was with her...” He paused again, and every ounce of excitement drained away. “Unfortunately, he didn’t survive his injuries. He’s dead.”His words hit like ice water. His voice sounded distant as he kept talking. I couldn’t hear anything, just a long, torturous ringing buried under a flood of questions.“Mr. Lancaster.” A heavy hand landed on my shoulder as I turned to meet the gaze of an unfamiliar man. “I’m the police detective, here to discuss today’s attack on

POV GabrielI walked out of Scarlet’s room, still unable to believe what had just happened. I’d been ready to tell her exactly what I felt. Feelings I kept refusing to acknowledge, even though they’d been there the whole time.Skay pushed me away like someone shoving off a threat. The indifference in her eyes as she asked me to call Frank gutted me completely, and now I was standing there, trying to piece myself back together, with no idea what to do next.I’d nearly forgotten she was still hiding a secret. Not even her lies could cancel out what I felt for her.After a few minutes standing in front of her door, staring at the white, locked barrier in front of me, I finally grabbed my phone and made a call.“I need you to come to the hospital, Frank.” I said, my voice dragging. “That’s an order.”“I already told you I don’t want to see Skay...”“But Skay wants to see you.” I cut him off fast, a knot choking my throat. “Right now, nothing matters more to her than seeing you, so please,