The Wife You Buried Is Back from Hell novel Chapter 164

Niki had always believed she just wasn't good enough—that's why her father didn't love her, and, by extension, didn't love her mother either.

A heavy ache settled on Danielle's chest.

She watched Niki, then gently brushed away her daughter's tears and soothed her in a soft voice.

"Sweetheart, love—or the absence of it—has nothing to do with whether you're good or not. Even the finest things can go unappreciated if someone simply doesn't like them. You'll understand this better as you grow older."

Niki sniffled, her eyes wide and desperate, clinging to Danielle's words.

Danielle pulled her daughter close, wrapping her in a gentle embrace. "When something—or someone—hurts us, we let it go. We don't need to keep it in our hearts forever."

Danielle saw right through Alexander, but her daughter was still too young—still hoping for her father's affection. At that age, all she wanted was a father's love.

Danielle couldn't just erase the idea of "dad" from her daughter's mind overnight.

But with time, as the years went by, Niki would eventually come to terms with her father's indifference. All Danielle could do now was try her best to shield her daughter from deeper emotional scars.

—

The next morning.

Danielle dropped Niki off at preschool, then headed straight to Ninesky to continue overseeing her project.

They were in the midst of a critical testing phase, and Danielle needed to keep a close eye on everything.

Meanwhile, at the hospital—

Millie had been up early, ordering breakfast before heading to Alexander's room to check on him.

Even now, the sight of his bandaged injuries made her stomach twist with worry.

"How did you get yourself into this mess…" Millie let out a shaky breath, her heart tight. "I know it sounds dramatic, but seeing you like this—it's hard not to worry."

"When you care about someone, you can't help but be anxious," came Liam's unhurried voice from the doorway.

He'd rushed over as soon as he heard what happened.

Alexander raised his eyes, his tone nonchalant. "I'm fine, aren't I?"

Millie's guilt was clear. "It's all my fault. If I hadn't been holding the leash, the dog wouldn't have gotten out of control…"

Liam sprawled on the sofa, crossing his legs as he watched them. "Don't blame yourself. Alex saw you in danger and acted on instinct. Honestly, even if it happened again, he'd do it all over. He'd risk everything to save you."

"I know Alex is good to me," Millie said quietly, a small, grateful smile on her lips. "I just… I worry Danielle will get the wrong idea about us."

At Danielle's name, Liam seemed to remember something. "What's there to misunderstand?"

"Where is Danielle, anyway? She didn't come to see you?"

He turned to Alexander. "Millie said Danielle was there too, and you protected her, at least indirectly. Usually, she'd leap at any chance to be by your side, show off in front of you—but now, when she has a perfect excuse, she doesn't show up at all?"

Everyone in their circle had long gotten used to Danielle's endless ways of sticking close to Alexander.

But now, when she had the perfect opportunity, she was nowhere to be seen.