Chapter 9
Chapter 9
The sight of Paisley holding a young girl in her arms sent a sharp flicker of tension through Mariya's usually composed gaze.
Marissa's mind raced as she struggled to process what she was seeing. "Why does she have a child with her? Whose child is this? Judging by her age, she must be arosimit three years old," Do you know that little girl!" Marissa's voice tightened, the ridge of disbelief creeping in
Stella nodded solemnly. "Uh-
huh. That naughty kid cling to Sommy yesterday, saying she was Sonny's little sister
Linte sister? Could it be... Marissa forced herself to maintain composure as her theights spiraled. "And did Grayson believe her!"
"Of course not" Stella replied confidently, her chin lifting in defiance, Aunt Marissa, didn't you say that every kid who tried to get close to Sonny in school had an ulterior motive! That was exactly what I told Somny yesterday, and now he can't stand her Stella paused, her voice tinged with
smug satisfaction, Thus, I hit her yesterday. She deserved it for shamelessly trying to hold Sonny's hand. Aunt Marissa, wasn't I right to do that?"
Marissa exhaled slowly, her mind whirling 'So Grayson doesn't know this child. That's one relief
"You did the right thing Marissa affirmed, her voice steady as she masked her unease. Encouraged, she pressed on. "Did Grayson happen to see this lady's face!
Stella shook her head. "No, he only saw her back yesterday. I didn't even see her face until just now."
"Why do you ask. Aunt Marissa?" She tilted her head in confusion Could it be that Aunt Marissa is worried this pretty lady might wan Sonny over? Sensing her aunt's tension, Stella quickly added, "Don't worry. Sonny loves you. You're his favorite. He keeps saying he can't Her attempt to reass
to reassure Marissa only deepened her aunt's unease.
Marissa couldn't help but wonder far, it seems Grayson hasn't met Paisley. Hur with both children attending the same school, it's only a matter of time. And that little girl... Is'sheaisley and Dominick's child? Or someone else's Paisley, you scheming wretch. I've underestima Before Marissa could dwell further, Stella's cheerful voice snapped her out of her daze
"Aunt Marissa, bye. I'm going in now," Stella's bright tone interrupted Marissa's thoughts.
The school bell was about to ring, and Stella had just unbuckled her seatbelt, ready to hop out of the car, when Marissa stopped her.
"Stella Marissa said steadily, "you did a great job yesterday."
At that, Stella's face lit up with pride. Her little chin lifted, and her twin pigtails bobbed happily as she beamed at the praise.
"That girl
is getting close to him for a reason, and it's not a good one." Marissu added, her tone turning serious. "You need to keep protecting Sonny Don't let her anywhere near him."
Stella nodded eagerly, her expression solen. "Don't worry, Aunt Marisa. I'll make sure of it. And anyway, she's just a new kid in kindergarten-
a Lule dummy. Nothing to worry about.
Marissa allowed herself a faint smile at Stella's confidence. True, she's
's just a child. Even if she has some ulterior motive, what could she do?
Marissa's tone turned unusually serious as she looked at Stella. "Do you really want Grayson to find another best friend? Someone who might replace your
The weight of her words hit Stella like a bucket of cold water. She immediately protested, her voice high-
pitched with alarm, "No way. Sonny only lus me as his best friend. cuter than you you,"
Marissa shook her head slowly, as if mulling over a deeper truth. "That little kid is really cute-
cuter Though young. Mella wasn't naive: She understood the implication beneath Marissa's statement. Stella thought. "That little brat is cuter than me. If she sticks around long enough. Sonny might start liking her, maybe even treating her like family. And yesterday... when she tried to hold Sonny's hand, he already started to reach out. They almost held hands"
Stella's little face tensed with determination, her brows furrowed in fierce defiance. "No, I don't want Sonny to have another best friend"
She tugged urgently at Marissa's sleeve, her voice pleading. "Aunt Marissa, what should I do? Can you talk to Dominick and have him get rid of that brat
Her eyes sparkled with hope, as if expecting
Marissa to sweep the problem away like she always had with troublesome kids at school and kick Serena out.
But this time. Marissa merely smiled, her expression unreadable. She didn't directly answer Stella's request, "You're going to be late, Stella. You'd better get going
Some battles didn't require too much prodding This time was different. This 'problem child wasn't just anyone-
she was Paisley's daughter. And for now, Marissa didn't want to alert Dominick unnecessarily.