Noah knew Cynthia didn''t want to see him right now, so he didn''t insist on going into the bedroom. Instead, he sat down on the living room sofa and said wearily to Mrs. Gable, "It''ste, Mrs. Gable. You should get some rest too."


    Seeing that Noah had no intention of disturbing Cynthia, Mrs. Gable returned to her


    own room.


    Noah spent the entire night on the living room sofa.


    The next morning, when Cynthia woke up, she saw Noah sitting in the living room. His eyes were faintly bloodshot; he clearly hadn''t slept all night.


    "You''re awake?" Seeing Cynthia, Noah immediately stood up and walked to her side, his concerned gaze falling on her. "Mrs. Gable said you weren''t feeling wellst night. Are you feeling any better?"


    He must have known it wasn''t a physical ailment but a matter of the heart. He was likely asking if her feelings were still hurt.


    "I''m fine," Cynthia replied nonchntly and turned to go into the bathroom.


    While Cynthia was getting ready in the bathroom, Noah waited by the door. He was trying to figure out how to exin what happened yesterday when a frantic knocking sounded at the door. It was Nic''s voice, calling out, "Daddy, Daddy, are you awake?"


    Noah had no choice but to open the door. The moment he did, Nic flew into his arms like a little bird.


    "Daddy, why weren''t you with me? I woke up and didn''t see you, I was so scared," Nic whined, clinging to him.


    Noah stroked Nic''s head. Just as he was about to speak, the bathroom door opened, and Cynthia, now washed and dressed, walked out.


    The moment Nic saw Cynthia, her arms tightened instinctively around Noah''s neck, her eyes full of wariness.


    "Daddy is mine! You bad woman, don''t even think about stealing my daddy!"


    "Nic, stop talking nonsense. Apologize to Cynthia," Noah''s face immediately turned cold.


    But Nic seemed emboldened. "Mommy said she''s a bad woman who steals other people''s husbands! She is a bad woman!"


    Her little hands clutching Noah''s neck, Nic''s eyes suddenly reddened. "Daddy already promised me he wouldn''t have any more bables You''re not allowed to have babies with the bad woman!"


    Noah was furious with Nic but didn''t know how to discipline her. She was still so


    young; being too soft or too harsh felt wrong.


    He instinctively looked at Cynthia and tried to exin, "She''s just a child, she


    doesn''t know what she''s saying. Don''t hold it against her."


    Cynthia looked at him, her silence more deafening than any scream. It was a hollow, distant stare that sent a shiver of pure dreadloah spine.


    Just as he was about to say more, Cynthia suddenly spoke.


    "Right. I understand." With that, she turned, went back into the room, and shut the door with a m.


    "Cynthia!" Noah wanted to follow and exin, but Nic clung to him tightly, saying pitifully, "Daddy, I''m hungry. I want to eat."


    Helpless, Noah could only carry Nic downstairs to the restaurant for a meal.


    Nic was finally quiet while she ate, but Noah, sitting across from her, had no appetite.


    Nic used to be such an obedient and sweet child who got along well with Cynthia.


    Noah had thought his wife and daughter could coexist peacefully, which was why he had brought Nic along on vacation.


    He never imagined that in less than


    six months, Karina and the White


    family would have twisted her int er into this Noan now deeply regretted bringing Nic with them