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.

day he arrived. In the days that followed, he hadn't thought about her at all. But he knew he couldn't say that

a real mom would, and he couldn't bear to make her sad. Marissa secretly let out a sigh of relief. She had noticed the brief hesitation in Grayson's response just now, but fortunately, his answer and behavior satisfied her. At least, from Paisley's perspective, he still seemed closer to

"Have you been behaving yourself at someone else's

how to answer her. He pondered, 'I probably haven't been that well- behaved... I even threw a tantrum this morning.'

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 child in his

she felt no particular emotion. If this had happened four years ago, it might

She had long since moved on from the emotions she'd once poured out. Even if Grayson

that Paisley didn't react 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 after him these

eyebrow slightly, finding Marissa's behavior at this moment a bit contrived. So, instead of playing along, Paisley replied in a calm, detached tone, "Since you're here,

was clear-don't bother