The Wife You Buried Is Back from Hell novel Chapter 122

Alexander's eyes were cold and distant; he didn't even acknowledge Niki.

The way he looked at her—it wasn't the look a father gives his daughter. It was as if he were staring at a stranger.

Niki realized she'd called out the wrong thing again. Embarrassed, she lowered her head, unsure of what to do with her hands.

"Who do you think you're calling Daddy?" Raffy popped up from behind, glaring at her. "He never said you could call him that. He's my dad—just mine! You stay away from him!"

Danielle rushed over to lift Niki off the ground.

Niki's elbows and knees were scraped and muddy, thin streaks of blood mixing with dirt. The pain brought tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Does it hurt?" Danielle scooped her daughter into her arms, her heart aching.

Niki shook her head, trying to be brave.

Millie shot Raffy a disapproving look. "Don't say things like that."

Raffy just pouted, looking away. He'd never liked his stepmother. She was always so strict at home—never let him eat what he wanted, never let him play, only cared about homework and rules. She made his life miserable.

Millie, holding Raffy's hand, smiled at Danielle. "Did you bring Niki over to play? Now the kids can have some fun together."

Liam grinned, chiming in, "Makes sense, doesn't it? Taking care of kids is what Danielle does best—she's a real homemaker."

"Yeah, she's definitely got the knack for it," he added, a little too smugly.

Danielle gave a cold laugh. These people seemed to haunt her—everywhere she went, they showed up.

Before she could say anything, Alexander finally spoke, his tone detached. "Be more careful next time."

It sounded more like a warning than concern. This time, she'd gotten away with it. Next time, who knew?

Before Danielle could even reply, Niki stepped forward and apologized, her voice small. "I'm sorry, sir. I didn't see you."

She felt she should say sorry—she had bumped into him, after all.

Raffy reached his arms up toward Alexander. "Dad, I'm tired. Carry me?"

Alexander's expression softened as he smiled and picked up his son.

Niki watched as her father lifted Raffy, her eyes stinging with unshed tears.

Niki lowered her eyes. "I just… Everyone else has a dad…"

She never had.

At parent-teacher nights at preschool, all the other kids had both parents show up. Only she didn't.

Whenever her father did attend, he'd come as her "uncle"—never as her dad.

A sharp ache stabbed through Danielle's chest, as if a thousand tiny needles were pricking her all at once. She didn't even know how to answer her daughter.

Seeing her mother struggle, Niki abruptly forced a smile. "But it's okay. I have you, Mom. That's all I need."

She wrapped her arms tightly around Danielle.

Danielle felt her heart clench, her eyes stinging. The more mature and thoughtful her daughter was, the more it hurt.

"Yes, sweetheart. I'll be there for you—always."

Danielle took Niki back to the hotel, cleaned her wounds, and let her rest for a while.