CHAPTER 4 - Daddy's Little Girl

AFTER the weird phone call Xander received, he went down to the dining area in a seemingly good mood. Hannah could only steal glances at her husband as she served the food on the table. 

Soon Lani and Katarina join Xander in the dining area. When Hannah saw them she immediately walked to the kitchen as they didn't like seeing her when they were eating. 

While the Millers enjoy the warm food she cooks, she's in the kitchen eating with her daughter and Mrs. Copperfield.

"Momma," she mumbles as she points at the pieces of bananas beside the pancakes. Hannah gave her a small piece that she devoured in seconds. 

Hannah and Mrs. Copperfield laugh at how adorable Bridget is. 

LATER THAT DAY, at the Miller Group.

It's bring your child to work day at the company.

Xander stared at the kids seated beside their parents staring at the type of work they were doing. He doesn't detest children he is not just fond of crying, vomiting, pooing, and peeing. That's the reason why he never got close to his daughter.

In fact, the child is afraid of him. He once heard her say, "Momma, there's... Monster..." While pointing at him.

He could vividly remember the horror on Hannah's face. She immediately hid Bridget behind her and apologized to him.

Remembering it now left a sour taste in his mouth.

"Maybe I am a monster," he mumbles to himself as he watches the kids playing with their parents.

When Xander got home. He purposely went to the east wing of the mansion to check on Hannah and Bridget.

When he knocks on the door only Mrs. Copperfield and Bridget are inside the room.

The old woman doing her best to play with the energetic child but as she is in her 50's it is a bit hard for her.

"Where's Hannah?" He inquired his voice so deep that it frightened Bridget and hid behind Mrs. Copperfield.

"She is preparing dinner as we speak." She replied politely as she breathed rapidly.

He could sense that she was tired and needed a break. He stared at the child behind her and gestured for her to come near him.

Mrs. Copperfield coaxed the child and assured her that it was safe.

Hesitantly, Bridget walked to him when he held Bridget's hand he was surprised at how small her hand was.

"How old are you now?" He asks casually.

"Two!" She mumbles softly as she gestures her age with her fingers.

"Two, I wonder how small she is as a newborn," he thought as a smile escaped his lips.

"How about you come with me and we let Mrs. Copperfield rest she seems tired." He says as he kneels in front of her.

Bridget nods.

Mrs. Copperfield's eyes well up. The scene in front of her is something only in dreams could happen. She discreetly pinches herself and winces in pain. Despite that, she smiled gleefully and watched how Xander carried Bridget over his shoulder and he smiled in joy.

When Hannah finished cooking and setting up the dining area, she asked the maids to call Lani and Katarina to eat while she checked if Xander was in his room.

As she walks to the west wing of the mansion she can't help but hear laughter.

She was weirded out as the west wing should always be silent because it is where the Millers stay. Lani and Katarina are on the third floor and Xander is on the second floor.

She hurriedly walks to the origin of the sound as the giggle and soft footsteps are familiar, "Bridget," she mumbles as her hands shiver in fear. Thinking Bridget got away from Mrs. Copperfield and got lost in the west wing. She's afraid that Bridget might break a vase or an ornament.

Like the last time. When she was cooking Bridget sneaked away and accidentally broke an angel figurine owned by Katarina. She witnessed how Katarina almost hit her daughter, if she hadn't arrived soon she wondered what could have happened.

She fought against her sister-in-law but as it always been Lani came and berated her and her daughter.

Called her names. All she could do was cover Bridget's ear as she listened to their mockery of her.

When Xander arrived he didn't even bat an eye and hurriedly went to his room.

She soon arrived at her destination. Her heart was pounding and slowly she opened the door. Only to see Xander playing with Bridget.

They made a makeshift port using the sofa cushion and Bridget hid while Xander was counting.

Hannah's eyes well up. The day she always hoped finally came. Xander is starting to act like a father to their daughter.

"Momma!" Bridget yelled as she ran to Hannah.

She carried her daughter in her arms like she always does.

Bridget smiles. "Poppa, carry...me .. higher..." She says while pointing at her mother's shoulder.

Hannah understood what she meant, "Well, I'm not that tall and not that strong to carry you on my shoulder." She explains softly.

Bridget puckered her lips and then crossed her arms. Then glances at Xander with a pleading look.

She wants her father to carry her again.

Xander understood her and marched towards them and took her from her mother's hand. As he does he can't help but stare at his wife's light brown eyes.

"Has her eyes always been that brown?" He asks himself.

The situation felt surreal for her and her face turned red. Being that close to her he notices it immediately.

"Are you sick?" He asks as he holds Bridget then touches Hannah's forehead with his other hand.

"I'm fine," she smiles.

Still standing close to her. Xander felt things move slowly as if he was seeing her for the first time. Unknowingly he starts caressing her face and then kisses her on the lips as it happens both of them are dumbfounded and taken aback.

Hannah lowered her head, "The food is ready." She mumbles awkwardly trying her best to change the weird ambiance.

"Food!" Bridget yelled in glee.

Soon they went downstairs, Xander still carrying his daughter while Hannah followed them behind.

At that time Katarina and Lani are already in the dining area.

When they saw them.

Lani can't help but sneer, "Are you trying to win my son using your daughter?"

Katarina then added fuel to Lani's accusations, "What do you expect from a gold-digging bitch and her bastard daughter."

Hannah can't take it anymore. "Say what you want about me but never call my daughter a bastard. We were legally married when Bridget was conceived. The only bastard I'm seeing here is you." She exclaimed while looking at Lani.

It is not a secret in the Miller household that Lani Miller is not a legitimate child from a wealthy family she's a product of the infidelity of Xander's grandfather with a hooker. Despite that, she acts high and mighty.

Lani and Katarina's faces contorted in anger.

"Xander, look at the woman you brought home. How insolent?" Lani yelled at the top of her lungs.

Xander eyes enlarge upon hearing the words that came out of Hannah. "Why must you say that?" He stated.

She shook her head then took Bridget from him and went straight to the kitchen when suddenly Katarina stood up and grabbed Hannah's hair.

"How dare you use such words on my mother?" She yelled. 

Bridget started crying, "Bad! Bad! Trina!" She yelled then clenched her small hands into a fist to hit her aunt.

Xander was dumbstruck by the chaos in front of him.  "Enough!" He yelled dominantly.

"Katarina go back to your seat!" He exclaimed.

She obeyed Xander's words but didn't stop glaring at Hannah.

He then moved to Hannah and took Bridget from her. "What are you doing? Give her back to me!" She roared at him. 

He held her hand while carrying Bridget in his other hand. Hannah did not fight anymore as he might accidentally let go of their daughter. 

The child starts wailing and it annoys Katarina. "Put a lid on that child." She commented. 

As soon as the words left her Xander stared at her with a darkened gaze. She cowered in fear and could only lower her head.

He handed the inconsolable Bridget to Mrs. Copperfield and then dragged Hannah to his room.

The people in the dining area could only stare at them. 

INSIDE Xander's room.

He pushed Hannah face down into his bed and pinned her using his knee. "Why are you so feisty all of a sudden?" He yelled.

She sneered, "If I don't what do you think will happen to me and my daughter in this house? You saw how your mother and sister speak to me... Heck, even your friend and what did you do? NOTHING!" She screamed. She let out all her frustrations that she had been bottling up since the first day she set foot in the Miller mansion.

"You want a divorce!?" She shouted. She could feel his knee pressing her harder against the bed. "I'll sign the papers now, but I want sole custody of my daughter." She declared with certainty.