Oliver dropped Nyla and Mason off at home.Noticing Nyla's pale face and the lingering fear in her eyes, he spoke softly. "Nyla, don't think too much about it. You got scared today. Just rest, and we can talk about everything tomorrow."Nyla forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm sorry for taking up so much of your time today. You should get back to work."She had initially told Oliver not to come because she remembered he had meetings, but the day had stretched much longer than she had expected.Seeing the fleeting guilt in her eyes, Oliver replied firmly, "Nyla, you and Buddy are important to me. It's not an inconvenience.""I know, but I don't want to be a burden. Being together should mean supporting each other, not just you helping me all the time," Nyla said.Oliver felt a mix of frustration and sympathy. He thought Nyla was struggling to accept his support because she hadn't fully accepted him. After the scare she had had today, he didn't want to pressure her further."We'll talk abo
Mason dropped the cutlery he was holding, staring blankly at Nyla."Buddy, when I told you that your dad passed away, it was because he and I separated. But he never wanted to abandon you—he didn't even know you existed. Now that you know the truth, you can choose to stay with me or go to him," Nyla explained.As Mason began to understand, Nyla gave him the choice. After all, for a child who had never experienced a father's love, it was natural for him to want a dad.Ever since Mason started kindergarten, she had realized she couldn't replace that role, which was why she had considered trying with Oliver—she wanted to give Mason a complete family.Nyla expected Mason to think it over, but instead, his lips trembled, and he burst into tears."Mom, do you not want me anymore?" he cried.Taken aback, Nyla found it somewhat amusing. She quickly got up, wiped his tears, and squatted beside him, gently saying, "How could you think that? Mommy loves you the most."Through his sobs, Mas
Meeting Damon's accusing gaze, Nyla felt a strange sense of amusement. He had been the one to force himself on her back then, and now, with his memory gone, he had taken on the role of the victim?"Mr. Sumner, you claim Buddy is your child. What evidence do you have?" she asked.Damon's demeanor turned icy. "The fact that he looks almost exactly like me is proof enough."Nyla smiled. "But a judge won't rule you as Buddy's father based solely on that."Her sarcastic smile darkened Damon's expression. He grabbed her hand, his eyes cold. "Nyla, do I need to show you the paternity test results before you'll admit it?"Nyla pulled her hand away. "Mr. Sumner, if you had a paternity test, you wouldn't be here talking to me. You'd be at the courthouse filing a lawsuit, wouldn't you?"Damon fell silent for a few moments, his voice tight with anger. "Don't worry, you'll soon receive a subpoena. I won't let my child stay with a manipulative woman like you!"Nyla's hands clenched at her sid
In the next moment, Damon pushed Nyla away, his expression dripping with disdain. "Ms. Kinsey, even if you're throwing yourself at me, I won't let you off easily."Nyla's face flushed with anger.Throwing herself at him? What gave him the impression that she wanted to seduce him?She raised an eyebrow and gave him a once-over.Her scrutinizing gaze made Damon frown instinctively, his face darkening even further."Mr. Sumner, not a single part of you meets my standards, and your temper is dreadful. Rest assured, even if every other man on Earth disappeared, I wouldn't be interested in you," Nyla declared.Damon let out a cold laugh. "A man like Oliver is definitely more suitable for you. After all, he's someone who bends to your every whim."He couldn't understand how someone as successful as Oliver could fall for a woman like her.Nyla's expression hardened. "You have no right to judge Oliver.""Oh? Just one comment and you're so protective of him. It seems you really do like
Soon after, Nyla dismissed the idea of marrying Oliver just to prevent Damon from taking Mason. It wouldn't be fair to Oliver at all.No matter what, she refused to hand Mason over to Damon.…In the following days, Damon did not appear before Nyla again. Rather than feeling relieved, her mood grew heavier.On Friday, as the workday came to a close, Nyla had a premonition and felt increasingly restless.Her anxiety peaked when she received a call from Pauline, who informed her that Mason was not at kindergarten and that he had been picked up by his father.Nyla was taken aback. She forced herself to stay calm, replying, "I understand. You go home first. I know where he is."After hanging up, her hands trembled as she dialed Damon's number.She called several times, but he deliberately ignored her. Gritting her teeth, she continued to try.Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he answered."What is it?" Damon asked."Damon, where have you taken Buddy?! Bring him back imm
Damon's expression darkened significantly. "If it weren't for you hiding Buddy's existence, I wouldn't have missed these years of his growth."Nyla, your selfishness is the reason it took us this long to find each other. I won't hand my child over to a woman as selfish as you!""You have no right to call me selfish! Since you won't return Buddy to me, we have nothing more to discuss. I'll see you in court!" With that, Nyla turned and left.Damon glared at her retreating figure, filled with disgust and anger. He had never encountered such an ungrateful woman.His phone rang, and he picked it up to see that it was Spencer."Mr. Sumner… Buddy has been crying for Ms. Kinsey and refuses to eat anything. His eyes are swollen," Spencer informed him.Damon's expression remained taut and cold. "Let him starve if he doesn't want to eat!""But if he keeps crying like this, it's not going to help…" Spencer tried to reason.After a moment of silence, Damon replied coldly, "I'll be there rig
Nyla scoffed. "Damon took my son without my consent and now wants to fight me for custody? He's dreaming!"Gerrard adjusted his glasses and handed her a document from his briefcase."Ms. Kinsey, this is the paternity test report showing that Mason Kinsey and Mr. Damon Sumner are father and son. He has the right to contest custody," he said.Nyla didn't take the document. Instead, she looked at Gerrard with a poker face. "That paternity test was done without my consent. I won't acknowledge it!"Gerrard remained calm. "Ms. Kinsey, this paternity test holds legal validity. My client is prepared to file a lawsuit. Of course, it would be best to resolve this peacefully, but if that's not possible, he will have to pursue legal action."Regardless, Damon was determined to fight Nyla for custody of Mason.Nyla nodded. "Fine, let him file a lawsuit."With that, she walked past Gerrard and left.Gerrard called Damon to update him. "Mr. Sumner, Ms. Kinsey still refuses to agree. It seems
Damon's expression darkened significantly. Lacking any experience with children, he instinctively applied the same tactics he used with his subordinates to Mason, only to find it backfiring spectacularly.Frustration filled his eyes as he looked at Mason, who was wailing loudly.If Mason weren't his son, he would have thrown him out for causing such a scene in his own home.Spencer returned with snacks and walked into the bedroom to find Damon and Mason locked in a standoff—one looking furious and the other crying his eyes out.A headache began to form in Spencer's temples."Mr. Sumner, didn't Buddy calm down before I left? How did he start crying again so quickly?" Spencer asked.Damon, clearly agitated, snapped, "You handle it!"With that, he turned and walked away.Spencer was rendered speechless.Damon had been the one to make the kid cry, and now he was expected to fix it?Sighing in resignation, Spencer set down the snacks and squatted beside Mason, trying to comfort hi