Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 164

Chapter 164: The Cotton Candy Ice Cream
Lorianne was a huge bundle of energy once they arrived at the park. Because it was not the weekend, the park was not filled with many visitors. Some of them were staff from the nearby office, having lunch on the benches.

“Daddy~ Can you carry me?”

Lorianne cutely asked to be carried by Nathaniel. Spreading her short arms, she blinked her glimmering eyes at him. Her antics earned laughter from Nathaniel and Elsie.

“Of course, Lorrie.”

“Yay!”

Bending down, Nathaniel scooped Lorianne up. He carried her on his right arm. The little one’s legs dangled above the ground.

Nathaniel couldn’t count how many times gratitude flooded his heart. Lorianne acted very comfortably with him, not thinking much to voice her wishes.

As if she had known him her entire life.

“Hehe, Daddy is so tall. I can see the ducks!”

Lorianne exclaimed while pointing toward the small pond. She beamed in excitement. A row of yellow ducks glided on the water, enjoying the calm summer afternoon.

Nathaniel and Elsie chuckled. Lorianne’s cheerfulness pleased both of them.

Tucking her hair behind her ear, Elsie glanced at Nathaniel. The light in her green eyes softened as she said, “Shall we take a stroll?”

“Yes,” Nathaniel nodded, the smile on his lips deepening.

The golden afternoon sun stretched lazily across the sky, its light filtering through the lush canopy of trees. The echoes of the rustling leaves, chirping birds and distant chatter of visitors resonated in the air.

Nathaniel walked slower than usual, matching Elsie’s pace. Lorianne was perched securely on his arm.

The little one was light and warm, her tiny hands clutching his shirt. Her twin pigtails swayed gently with each step he took. The silky strands shimmered as the sun kissed her golden locks.

Every now and then, Lorianne’s small head turned in different directions as many things piqued her curiosity. Her mouth gave remarks nonstop.

“Daddy, Mommy, look at the squirrel!”

“Hello, Mr. Doggy~ Have a good day!”

“Oh no, the ladybug fly away.”

From pointing to the squirrel dashing between tree branches, waving to a passing fluffy dog and being saddened by the flying ladybug, Lorianne’s antics charmed Nathaniel and Elsie.

‘This… this feels good. And warm.’

Nathaniel’s heart clenched at how unfamiliar yet natural this felt.

Strolling together with Elsie and Lorianne, listening to the little one’s excited chatter and seeing his beloved’s tiny smile—made him realize how much he had missed.

How good would it be if he was by Elsie’s side, raising Lorianne together?

Unfortunately, Nathaniel knew he couldn’t rewind time no matter how much he wished for it. He had to remind himself repeatedly that he should focus on the future instead of drowning in his past regrets.

As they walked further into the park, Nathaniel spotted a small ice cream cart under a tree. The vendor was an elderly man with a kind smile, handing cones of colorful ice cream to his customers.

Smiling, Nathaniel looked at Lorianne, whose eyes were trailing after the snail at the flower bed. He asked, “Lorrie, didn’t you say you want some ice cream?”

“Yes!”

Lorianne abruptly tilted up her chin, automatically saying ‘yes’ once she heard one of her favorite words—ice cream. Her curiosity about snails living in their shells vanished instantly.

Helpless chuckles spilled from Nathaniel’s lips. Turning to Elsie, he asked, “How about you?”

Elsie curved her lips, nodding once, “Ice cream sounds good. It’s quite hot today.”

Pointing at the cart, Nathaniel gestured at Elsie to follow, “Let’s see which flavors they have.”

The family of three walked toward the ice cream cart. Nathaniel ordered three cones, all in different flavors. The vendor kindly asked which flavors he wanted.

“Daddy, the cute pink-purple one!”

Lorianne eagerly pointed at one of the tubs, drawn by the pastel swirls of pink, purple and blue. The vendor chuckled before saying the ice cream was a cotton candy flavor.

Nathaniel drifted his gaze to Elsie, silently asking about her choice. She smiled at him before ordering a strawberry ice cream. The former picked the coffee-flavored one.

“Hold it properly, Lorrie.”

“Thank you, Daddy.”

Nathaniel handed the ice cream to Lorianne after paying. Elsie took the other two cones from the vendor, exchanging polite smiles with him.

“Niel, your ice cream. Thank you for the treat.”

Nathaniel reached for the ice cream cone, his fingers brushing against Elsie’s for a fleeting moment. His cheeks flushed slightly.

“…enjoy your ice cream.”

Elsie simply smiled before gesturing at a nearby bench, vacant under a tree, “Should we sit there?”

“Yes.”

Once they settled on the wooden bench, Lorianne happily licked her ice cream, her short legs swinging off the edge of the bench. She sat between Nathaniel and Elsie.

“This is so good!” Lorianne declared, her mouth smeared by the ice cream.

Nathaniel smiled at Lorianne. He had been watching her in quiet fascination, still caught up in the surrealism of this simple scene—of being with his daughter.

“Lick the melting part, Lorrie. Lest it’ll stain your cute dress.”

Lorianne nodded vigorously, showing she agreed and understood Nathaniel. Yet, a small drop of cotton candy ice cream dripped onto her lap in the next second.

“Opss! Hehe… The ice cream don’t listen to Daddy.”

Lorianne grinned sheepishly, shifting the blame to the melting ice cream. Her remark elicited helpless laughter from Nathaniel and Elsie.

“Should we get you a baby bib next time, my dear?” asked Elsie, teasing Lorianne. She reached for a tissue from her handbag before gently wiping her dress.

Lorianne gasped, her eyes widening, “Mommy! I’m not a baby anymore!”

Arching her brows, Elsie smirked playfully, “Are you sure, sweetheart?”

Lorianne pouted, shaking her head. Her twin pigtails swayed, following her movements. She stated, “Yes. I’m not a baby. I’m a big girl already.”

Lorianne’s words unintentionally struck a chord in Nathaniel’s heart that it hurt painfully. He swallowed hard, trying to chase away the emotions rising within him.

Raising his hand, Nathaniel hesitated before gently stroking Lorianne’s small head. He whispered, “Yes… Lorrie isn’t a baby. You’ve grown up wonderfully, my dear.”

“Hehehe~ Yes!”

Lorianne chirped, happy to be patted on the head by her daddy. Elsie, who kept watching the father and daughter closely, smiled in gratitude.

Bringing Lorianne to Nathaniel was indeed a good choice. She finally knew her father and was loved by him.

Sometime after finishing her ice cream, Lorianne’s eyelids drooped. Yawning a few times, she rubbed her eyes with her tiny fists.

“Mommy… Daddy… I’m sleepy…” Lorianne mumbled, her words incoherent.

“Come here, Lorrie.”

Nathaniel reached for Lorianne’s tiny figure, lifting her effortlessly into his arms. The little one nestled against him without resistance, her soft breaths tickling his neck.

“Em… Daddy…” Lorianne mumbled sleepily, her eyes already closed, “Ice cream… yummy…”

Nathaniel chuckled in helplessness. Gently adjusting Lorianne to be more comfortable, he whispered, “Dream of ice cream clouds, my dear. Sleep well.”

Lorianne spoke no more. She drifted into her slumber, safe and content in her daddy’s arms.

“She really trusts you,” Elsie remarked softly, pleased to see Lorianne sleeping so well within minutes.

Nathaniel glanced at Elsie, his gaze unreadable. Sighing, he said, “I don’t deserve this, to be frank. Not after all this time, but… I want to do you and our child good.”

Elsie’s heart sank, sensing the remorse in Nathaniel’s voice. Raising her hand, she carefully touched the back of his hand.

“You will, Niel,” Elsie curled her lips, hoping to reassure Nathaniel, “I know you will.”

Nathaniel smiled bitterly. Nodding slowly, he held back from asking Elsie a question. He told himself this was not the time for it yet.

About…

The possibility of them being together again.