The Billionaire And His Son Want Me Back by Juliette Vaughan

Chapter 44

Marissa had been waiting downstairs at Paisley's apartment for quite a while now. She'd been planning to wait for Dominick so they could pick up Grayson together, creating the illusion that they were united as a couple.

What Marissa hadn't anticipated was Paisley showing up with two kids in tow, catching her standing there alone. Even more unexpected was the sight of Grayson obediently walking next to Paisley, looking at her with so much trust and expectation.

In her relationship with Dominick, Marissa's biggest leverage had always been Grayson's dependence on her. She knew that if she lost that, marrying Dominick would become almost impossible. So, she couldn't —and wouldn't let that happen. Thankfully, when she called out Grayson's name, he immediately ran to her.

Marissa's face broke into her usual bright smile as she hugged Grayson affectionately. He grinned and asked excitedly, "Did you come to pick me up, Marissa?"

"That's right. I came to pick you up and take you home," Marissa replied, nodding. Then, catching sight of Paisley approaching from the corner of her eye, she deliberately asked, "Have you missed me these past couple of days, Sonny?"

Grayson hesitated for a brief moment but then answered firmly, "Yes." After that, he buried his face in Marissa's embrace, hiding his guilt.

that followed, he hadn't thought about her

out a sigh of relief. She had noticed the brief hesitation

you been behaving yourself

genuinely unsure how to answer her. He pondered, 'I probably haven't been that well- behaved... I even threw a tantrum this morning.' Unable to respond, he could only glance at Paisley, looking to her for

her place, but she wasn't particularly surprised either. After all, with Marissa and Dominick about to get married, Paisley figured it wasn't unreasonable for Marissa to come pick up the

felt no particular emotion. If this had happened four years ago, it might have broken her-she might have crumbled, fallen

she'd once poured out. Even if Grayson were to call Marissa Mom now, she wouldn't feel

as she had anticipated, Marissa was slightly disappointed. She straightened up, still holding Grayson's hand, and smiled, "Dom's coming back today, so I came early to pick up Sonny. Thank you for looking

along, Paisley replied in a calm, detached tone, "Since you're here, I'll hand the child over to you then. His stuff is still

implication in Paisley's words was clear-don't bother