The Wife You Buried Is Back from Hell novel Chapter 37

Alexander hesitated for a barely perceptible moment.

It was the first time he'd seen such unmistakable coldness in her eyes.

She used to be so warm and radiant whenever she looked at him.

These days, though, she was always distant and icy, her temper simmering just beneath the surface. There was no way he hadn't noticed the change.

"Just a spat between the kids," Alexander said, glancing at Niki. "Are you alright?"

Danielle pulled Niki close, her tone frosty. "They stopped being siblings a long time ago."

Alexander's voice hardened. "Danielle, what exactly are you so upset about?"

She let out a bitter laugh and met his gaze. How little must he care, to think she was just throwing a tantrum?

"Alexander, who exactly did you come here to see for parent-teacher night?"

He answered flatly, "Does it matter?"

"You're right, it doesn't." Danielle squeezed Niki's hand. "You and I—and Niki—none of us have anything to do with you anymore."

The teacher had said he was too busy to attend.

Yet here he was, showing up with Millie for Raffy's conference.

The irony stung, sharper than before.

After speaking, Danielle looked down at Niki. "What did I tell you before? If someone bullies you, what should you do?"

For the first time, Danielle's voice with Niki was firm, even stern.

Niki pressed her lips together, clutching the hem of her shirt with trembling fingers.

Years spent in the Davidson household had taught her to swallow every grievance—she knew she could never win against her brother.

Everyone always favored him.

It had shaped her, made her cautious and meek, always afraid of being disliked, always convinced she wasn't good enough.

But now, facing her mother's serious question, Niki bit down hard and, in front of everyone, walked right up to Raffy.

"What did you just call me?" Millie asked, voice barely above a whisper.

"You're my mom," Raffy said stubbornly. "You're the one who should come to my conferences. Don't you want to be my mom?"

Millie looked over at Alexander for guidance.

He stayed silent, offering no objection.

That, Danielle thought, was as good as consent.

Raffy went on, "You're the one who bathes me every night, helps me with my homework, takes me out to see the world, and lets me try all sorts of good food. You're my mom."

He shot an accusing look at Danielle. "I never had a clueless, boring mom before."

Danielle's lips twitched in a faint, bitter smile. So this was what happened when she didn't come home—Millie was there, filling in the blanks.

She couldn't care less about Raffy calling Millie "Mom."

He was never really her son. She'd raised him for five years in another lifetime; she had long since let him go.