Marriage with my daughter's father: Darling please be gentle - Chapter 51

Chapter 51: Chapter 51:I wonder if it’s purely a coincidence or if you’re keeping an eye on me

“Mommy!” Seren’s cheerful voice broke Winter’s thoughts. A smile stretched across her lips as she leaned forward to hug her daughter.

“How was your day, Star?” Winter asked, taking off Seren’s backpack before turning toward the car.

She had initially planned to hail a cab, but Kalix had already assigned Stanley to drive her wherever she needed to go—a subtle yet firm way of keeping tabs on their safety.

“It was so fun!” Seren beamed, hopping into the car. “I liked the teachers here. They’re all funny and kind. You know, I even made new friends!”

The second she noticed Stanley in the driver’s seat, her excitement doubled.

“Hello, Uncle Stanley!” she greeted him with a quick peck on the cheek before retreating to her seat.

Stanley might have exuded a dark, imposing aura, but for Seren, he was the complete opposite. At the sound of her voice, the stoic man melted into a smiling, almost cuddly presence. Winter often found herself wondering how someone could carry two vastly different personalities so effortlessly.

The drive to the hospital was lively, filled with Seren’s non-stop chatter, barely pausing to take a breath.

“Mommy, I think we should bring Grandpa a fresh pair of flowers. The ones in his room are drying up,” Seren suggested, her tone thoughtful.

Winter pondered her daughter’s words before nodding. “You’re right, Star.” She quickly instructed Stanley to stop by a flower shop.

Soon, the car pulled up to the curb, and both Winter and Seren stepped out, heading toward the shop across the street.

Seren’s excitement to see Bryson was evident in her every move, and by the time they walked out with a bouquet in hand, her smile had only grown.

But then—

Her gaze caught something across the road, and without warning, she jerked her mother’s hand free and rushed ahead.

“No! Don’t go there!” Seren’s sudden yell startled both Winter and Stanley.

Their eyes snapped toward the street, following her frantic gaze. A small puppy struggled to cross the road, oblivious to the danger around it.

Before Winter could react, Seren darted forward, scooping up the tiny creature just as the roar of an approaching bike tore through the air.

“Star!” Winter’s scream ripped through the moment—

But it was too late.

The bike sped toward her daughter.And then—

“Mommy…”

Winter’s heart plummeted.But before the impact could land, Stanley was there—moving impossibly fast—swooping Seren into his arms just in time.

“You’re safe, Princess,” Stanley murmured, his heart still pounding as he held Seren close. Her small frame trembled against him, her wide eyes filled with fear. By the time Winter reached them, he was already soothing the little girl, his grip firm yet gentle.

“Star…” Winter’s voice nearly failed her. Relief crashed into her like a wave, but it was short-lived.

Her gaze shifted to Stanley, and a shiver ran down her spine at the darkness in his eyes. He wasn’t just shaken—he was furious. His sharp gaze locked onto the direction where the speeding bike had vanished, his entire posture tense with restrained anger.

Something about the way he stared unsettled her. It wasn’t just concern. It was something deeper. Calculated. Dangerous.

Slowly, he handed Seren over.

“Get into the car,” he ordered, his voice low but firm.

Winter didn’t argue. Holding Seren tightly, she hurried back to the car. Stanley followed moments later, sliding into the driver’s seat before peeling away from the curb, his jaw clenched in silence.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, the bike pulled into a secluded alley. The rider killed the engine and swiftly pulled out a phone.

“It’s done,” they said, their voice calm.

There was a brief pause before the person on the other end replied, “That should be enough to scare them off.”

Without another word, the call ended.

The rider exhaled sharply before restarting the bike, blending back into the bustling crowd as if nothing had happened.

***

“Where did you find it?” Hayes asked, staring at the tiny puppy nestled in Seren’s arms.

The fatigue that had weighed on her earlier was completely gone, replaced by pure delight as she gently cradled the small creature.

“On the road!” she chirped, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Winter exhaled slowly, watching her daughter for a long moment before finally speaking.

“She almost got hit today.” Her voice carried a remorseful edge, instantly catching Hayes’ attention.

“Hit? How?” he asked, his expression shifting to one of concern.

Hayes could already sense that something was off. The way Winter looked at her daughter, as though replaying a nightmare in her mind, sent a wave of unease through him.

“Luckily, Stanley got to her just in time. Otherwise, the bike would have hit her,” Winter added, her grip on reality still slightly shaken from the ordeal.

She hadn’t been able to stop thinking about it. Something about the whole incident gnawed at her mind.

“Do you think it’s—”

Winter shot Hayes a sharp look, cutting off his words with her silence.

Then, after a pause, she nodded. “And I think Stanley is already on it. He seemed suspicious,” she added.

Hayes nodded in agreement, but then something else came to mind. “Your father is furious about what we’ve done. Though I’m back at work, he’s keeping things to himself. It’s not going to be easy.”

Winter had already expected this, but she hardly cared about her father’s reaction. He was nothing more than a man who thrived on power and control, but now—she had the upper hand.

“He won’t dare to act for now,” she said firmly. “But you need to keep an eye on him, Hayes. We can’t afford to miss anything until Grandpa wakes up.”

Her gaze flickered toward Bryson, lying motionless in the hospital bed.

The doctors had assured her that he would wake up soon, but she had made certain that no word of his condition left the hospital—especially not to anyone in her family.

Excusing herself, Winter stepped out of the ward for a moment. But as soon as she did, her breath hitched.

Her eyes locked onto a familiar figure approaching.

Eric.

His presence alone sent a ripple of suspicion through her.

He smiled at her as he stopped right in front of her, but Winter wasn’t fooled.Her eyes narrowed.

“I wonder if it’s purely a coincidence or if you’re keeping an eye on me,” Winter said abruptly, her tone laced with suspicion.

Her words caught Eric off guard, and for a brief moment, a flicker of caution crossed his face.