Not One, But Two!
Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Valerie huffed and puffed. "What am I doing? Teaching you a lesson, you brat! Her girl's already fouryears old, and you only know that now? And you're telling me about it now? You must have treated herbadly! And yet she still saved my life! Thank heavens she did, but you think this is an achievement? Didyou do your job as a father ever since she got pregnant with the child? And you talk about it like it'ssomething to be proud of? Apologize to her!" Still angry, Valerie hurled her plate at him. "Don't juststand there, you idiot!"

Greg felt miffed. "Mom, you have to get one thing straight. I'm the one who got taken advantage of, sowhy should I apologize to her? I'm the one who got the short end of the stick. I don't even know whatmy daughter looked like when she was a baby."

"That's a stupid argument! You are a man. She couldn't have taken advantage of you!"

"But she did. She f*cked my five years ago in the alleyway, and she left right away. For five years! Icouldn't even replace her!" Greg was pitying himself. Is she really my mother?

Valerie stopped in disbelief, but when she noticed how stupid her son was looking, it lit her flames offury. "And you call yourself a man? A woman got the better of you? I'm getting second-handembarrassment here. Get out! I don't want to see you. And apologize to Dr. Kain. It's your fault nomatter what!"

"How is it my fault?" Greg thought his mother was being a little weird. Did Abigail switch her brains out?

Valerie turned away. "Well, it's your fault for looking so handsome. If you're ugly, she wouldn't havedone that to you."

Greg knew whatever he said would be used against him, so he gave up. "Fine, it's my fault. I'll leave.You seem to be in good health. See you around. Hope you'll be in a better mood next time." And thenhe left.

"Hold on." Valerie stopped him. "Take the girl to me next time. And where is Dr. Kain? I want to thankher."

"No idea. I'm not her keeper." Greg left, ignoring the murderous look his mother was giving him. Heck, Iwant to know where she is too. With the Kains hounding her, she might be at their place right now,settling a score. He realized he was being concerned about her, and he was reminded of her look ofdisdain. "I must be mad. Me, concerned about her? She's the last person in the world who would bowdown to any kind of intimidation." He went straight back to Alissa's room.

Alissa had just finished video calling Arianna and came back from her little shopping trip when he cameback. She fidgeted and grinned at her father.

"What's wrong?" Greg didn't feel angry anymore when he saw his daughter. Ah, my own bundle of joy.And then he hugged the girl.

Alissa felt delighted, but when she thought about the fact that she would leave him soon, she felt sad."Daddy." She hugged his neck, and her lovely voice melted his heart.

"What is it?"

"I love you, Daddy."

Greg felt warm and fuzzy. In fact, he felt happier than getting a confession from any other girl. "I loveyou too."

"I have a present for you."

"What is it?" Greg didn't expect her to give him a present, and he looked forward to it.

Alissa slowly took a tie pin out of her pocket and handed it to him. "I've never bought anything for a guybefore. I hope you like this."

Greg grinned. "Of course I like it. You're the cutest, smartest girl in the world." Greg kissed her on thecheek. He had a lot of similar tie pins, but he loved this one the most. "Help me wear it?"

"Sure." Alissa felt happy that Greg liked her gift, and her smile melted his heart. She helped her fatherwear the pin, though clumsily so, and she grinned.

"I'll get someone to make you a meal. Then it's bedtime."

Alissa loved it that her father was caring for her so much, but when she thought of her sister, thathappiness was doused a little bit. She puffed her cheeks. "Will you be staying for the night, Daddy?"

"Yeah. You might be scared if I leave you alone. Or I can take you back to Allie's Garden."

Alissa shook her head. "It's fine. I'm used to being alone. Mommy would work through the nightsometimes, so I always sleep alone, but not before I finish a few matches. You can leave if you havesomething to do. I'll be fine."

Alissa waved him off, but Greg felt sad for the little girl. "Does your mother always work at night?"

"Yeah. Sometimes the ER would call, and she would leave right away." Alissa didn't mind. Even if hermother wasn't around, Arianna was. Moreover, she didn't replace anything to be frightful enough. However,it was different for Greg, who did not know that Arianna existed.

He imagined Alissa being all alone in a big house, and he felt heartbroken. "That won't happen again.I'll stay with you no matter what."

Alissa was touched, but she could not have him stay for the night this time. Arianna might come over atmidnight, and we have to switch places. She forced a smile. "I'm not used to someone staying with me,Daddy. You should go back after I fall asleep. There's a caretaker here to help me out, and Mommy willcome over at night."

Greg was upset that Alissa was rejecting him, but then he knew that he had never been in contact foryears, so it was normal that she would feel a bit distant. Well, I do have time with her though. Hesmiled. "I'll go back after you have your dinner. I'll get your mother to come back, so don't worry."

"Thank you, Daddy." She heaved a sigh of relief. She wasn't someone who was great at hiding heremotions, and it hurt Greg a little. So she doesn't need me.

Greg felt sad that his daughter was acting so mature, and he blamed Abigail for it. What is she doing?Is her work more important than her kid? How can she raise her like this? He tried to call her, but shehung up the moment it went through. She hung up on me? Nobody hangs up on me! She crossedanother line! His face fell.

Alissa noticed her parents' silent argument again, and she sighed. "Daddy, can't you just take a stepback? She's a lady. It's hard for me to see you guys fight."

Greg paused. "It's hard for you? Why?"

"You are my Daddy, but she's my Mommy. She gave me life, and life has been hard on her, but she hasnever neglected me. I do want a daddy, but if you can't live in peace with her, she might not like you,and I can't stay with you. You still have Grandma, but she only has me now."

Greg felt saddened all of a sudden. He was reminded of the scene he saw a while ago. Yeah. She onlyhas Alissa left. Her parents and stepsister are monsters. They are no family. How did she even

survive? Greg's gaze became a lot gentler. "I won't argue with her. I'm a gentleman. Besides, she gavebirth to you. I have to thank her for this."

"Really?" Alissa didn't believe it. Do adults think kids are stupid enough to believe everything they say?

Greg felt embarrassed that his daughter saw through him. "Ahem, I promise I'll try my best to not arguewith her, but you should tell her not to take advantage of me. She keeps a scalpel on her all the time.What if she ends up hurting me? You won't have a Daddy anymore then."

Abigail came in and blurted, "I can get her another one."

Greg was infuriated. See? I wanted to be nice to her, but she just keeps getting on my nerves. Gregwanted to keep his promise to Alissa, so he held his anger down and smiled angrily at her. "What didyou say, Abigail?"

"Your hearing is already that bad? Turn right when you leave the room. The otorhinolaryngologydepartment's right there." She put the food on the table.

Oh no. They're gonna fight again. Alissa quickly asked, "What did you bring me, Mommy?"

"Porridge and two eggs."

"What? That's all?" Alissa's face scrunched up. This is just sad.

Abigail crossed her arms. "You have the energy to fight and get yourself hospitalized on just porridgeand eggs. If I get you anything better, you're going to get into bigger fights, aren't you?"

Alissa shut up. Abigail might be smiling at her, but for some reason, she felt a chill running up herspine.

"Don't you scare her. If she hadn't saved herself, she would have been taken away. I think it's verybrave of her." Greg came to her defense. He thought his daughter did nothing wrong.

Abigail ignored him. Just when she was going to pour the porridge out into a bowl, her phone rang.When she saw who was calling, the look in her eyes changed.