Chapter 76: The Duty Of The Heir (Book 3): Chapter 76

Presley Estates, Wesbury

Dean bursts into the nursery, his eyes searching as he asks, ‘Where’s Aisling?’ his voice carries a demanding edge,

Our baby is sleeping peacefully in his crib, and it’s almost noon, and that is the last I expect from him.

‘Spring City, last I heard, ‘ I lie smoothly. Attempting nonchalance, I adjust a stuffed bear on a nearby shelf.’

‘That’s not true,’ he counters immediately.

‘How do you know?’ I challenge, feigning ignorance.

‘I looked for her there. She’s not in Spring City,’ he says, frustration creeping into his voice.

I pretend to be shocked. ‘That’s strange. She should be there.’

‘You’re hiding something,’ he accuses, his gaze sharp.

I can’t help but chuckle. ‘Well, keep looking then.’

His expression hardens. ‘Are you on her side? Do you support her leaving the marriage?’

‘If she’s happy, yes,’ I say firmly, believing in Aisling’s right to choose her own path.

My phone rings, interrupting our tense exchange. Glancing at the caller ID, I see it’s Daphne. ‘Excuse me, Dean. I need to take this.’

He nods, his jaw tight. ‘I’ll be outside,’ he says, leaving the room.

‘Daphne,’ I greet, cautiously.

Heather,’ she responds, a hint of panic evident. ‘There’s a problem. My work partner… she’s distancing herself. I think she found out something.’

Alarm rises within me. ‘Found out what?’

‘She’s been avoiding me. Didn’t speak to me at all yesterday,’ she explains.

‘That’s odd. Maybe she saw something,’ I speculate.

Daphne’s tone grows anxious. ‘Our supervisor called me. My partner wants a new assignment. She asked what’s going on between us.’

I feel a knot of anxiety in my stomach. ‘Oh no, that’s not good.’

‘I have no idea why she’s suddenly keeping her distance,’ Daphne says, sounding lost.

An idea strikes me. ‘I think she might have seen the pictures from my baby’s naming ceremony on Instagram. You were here with me.’

Daphne gasps, realization dawning. ‘You’re right.’

‘She probably thinks you’re not being genuine with her,’ I add.

Daphne’s voice quivers. ‘What am I going to do now?’

Her fear is palpable, and I wish I could reach through the phone to comfort her. As I try to think of a solution, I can’t help but feel the weight of the complicated situation we’ve found ourselves in.