The Wife You Buried Is Back from Hell novel Chapter 23

Danielle felt her breath catch, her eyes stinging with sudden emotion.

She stood up at once and bowed deeply to Mr. Hawthorne. "I'm so sorry. This time, I won't let you down again."

Mr. Hawthorne's car was already waiting to take him back to the institute.

While Danielle was talking with him, Gian had taken Niki out, picking up bags full of treats, school supplies, and toys—two big bags, in fact.

Niki was having the time of her life, her laughter spilling out in bright, happy bursts.

Danielle looked at Gian, her eyebrows raised in disbelief. "Why did you buy her so much stuff?"

He just gave her a crooked smile and arched an eyebrow. "It's for the kid. Don't tell me you're planning to pay me back?"

"No need for that. Just work hard for me in the future and we'll call it even."

Danielle couldn't help but laugh. "So you had an agenda all along."

Gian shot her a glance. "Are you seriously planning to live in a hotel with your daughter?"

"I'm already looking for a place," Danielle replied. She hoped to find something close to Niki's preschool.

"Send me your list of requirements," Gian offered. "I'll keep an eye out for you."

Danielle didn't stand on ceremony. "Thanks, Gian. But nothing too expensive, please."

Right now, she had no income and couldn't afford a pricey place. Living in a hotel with Niki was becoming more and more inconvenient.

—

Later, when she got back, Danielle opened her laptop to prepare for the ISSDC competition.

Technology had advanced so quickly, and it had been years since she'd gotten her hands dirty with real technical work. She needed to be ready.

As soon as her computer sprang to life, a notification popped up in the corner—a new email.

She clicked it open. It was an official invitation to compete in the ISSDC.

"Dad?" Raffy stood at the study door, clutching his toy robot, eyes pleading as he looked at Alexander. "Where's Mom? When is she coming home? I miss her…"

Alexander was busy at his desk, typing away on his laptop. He looked up at his son. "You could call her and ask."

That hadn't occurred to Raffy. He turned and hurried to dial Danielle's number.

Around eleven that night, Danielle was deep in competition prep when her phone rang, breaking her concentration.

She answered without checking the caller ID.

Raffy's small voice came through the line: "Mom, when are you coming home? I miss you."

Danielle paused, frowning as she glanced at the screen. She still had feelings for Raffy—she'd raised him as her own for five years—but now, she had to step aside for his biological mother. She'd let him go.

Now, hearing his voice on the phone, it struck her as strangely ironic. He'd been the one insisting he wanted a new mom, and yet here he was, calling to say he missed her.

Danielle drew a deep breath, her voice calm and even. "I'm not your mother anymore, Raffy. Please don't call me that."