“Can You Be The Father Of My Baby For One Day?” She Asked… And I Said, “Only If You Tell Me Why”
Chapter 3
The Bennett estate stood on a hill overlooking the water.
Daniel had seen the property from a distance before.
He had never imagined entering it.
The gates opened automatically.
Security cameras followed the truck.
Sophie whispered,
“Daddy, this place is huge.”
Daniel nodded.
“Stay close.”
Olivia looked at him.
“You don’t have to protect me.”
“I know.”
“But you’re going to.”
“Yes.”
She smiled faintly.
“Thank you.”
They entered the main hall.
A dozen people turned toward them.
Conversations stopped.
Daniel immediately felt the room change.
Olivia’s father, Richard Bennett, stood near the fireplace.
He was in his late sixties.
Silver hair.
Expensive suit.
The kind of presence that made people stand straighter.
His eyes moved to Daniel.
Then to Olivia.
Then to Olivia’s stomach.
His expression hardened.
“You brought someone.”
Olivia raised her chin.
“I did.”
Richard looked at Daniel.
“Who are you?”
Daniel extended his hand.
“Daniel Harper.”
Richard ignored it.
“What do you do?”
“Contractor.”
Richard glanced at Olivia.
“A contractor?”
“Yes.”
The room filled with whispers.
Olivia’s brother, Nathan, laughed.
“This is a joke.”
Olivia looked at him.
“No.”
Richard stepped closer.
“Is this the father?”
Olivia nodded.
“Yes.”
Daniel felt her hand slip into his.
Her fingers were cold.
Richard stared at them.
“You expect me to believe that?”
Daniel answered calmly.
“You don’t have to believe anything.”
Richard looked at him.
“What do you want?”
“Nothing.”
“Then why are you here?”
Daniel looked at Olivia.
“Because she asked me.”
A woman near the staircase whispered,
“This is humiliating.”
Olivia’s mother remained silent.
Then Richard said,
“You don’t belong here.”
Daniel nodded.
“Maybe not.”
“But she does.”
Daniel looked at Olivia.
She seemed smaller than she had in the truck.
He understood why she’d asked him to come.
She was surrounded by people who knew how to make her feel powerless.
He leaned closer.
“You okay?”
She whispered,
“Yes.”
He didn’t believe her.
A tall man entered the room.
Ethan Black.
He looked directly at Olivia.
Then at Daniel.
His expression turned cold.
“Who is he?”
Richard answered.
“Apparently, the baby’s father.”
Ethan laughed.
Olivia’s face became pale.
“You’re lying.”
“No.”
“You told me the baby was mine.”
Olivia stepped back.
“I never said that.”
“You did.”
“You assumed.”
Ethan looked at Daniel.
“This woman has always been good at finding men to save her.”
Daniel stepped forward.
“Choose your next words carefully.”
Ethan smiled.
“You think you’re protecting her?”
“Yes.”
“You have no idea what she is.”
Olivia whispered,
“Daniel.”
He turned.
“It’s okay.”
Ethan looked at her.
“You still haven’t told him.”
“Told me what?”
Olivia froze.
Ethan smiled.
“The truth.”
Daniel looked between them.
“What truth?”
Ethan took one step forward.
“Ask her why the baby’s father disappeared.”
Olivia’s eyes filled with panic.
Daniel turned to her.
“What does he know?”
She didn’t answer.
Ethan laughed.
“He knows nothing.”
Olivia grabbed Daniel’s arm.
“Please.”
Daniel looked at her.
“What’s going on?”
She whispered,
“I’ll tell you.”
“When?”
“Tonight.”
“No.”
Her eyes widened.
“I need to know now.”
Olivia shook her head.
“Not here.”
Daniel studied her.
Then Richard announced dinner.
Everyone moved toward the dining room.
As Daniel followed Olivia, a hand slipped a folded note into his pocket.
He stopped.
Opened it secretly.
Three words.
She knows everything.
He looked around.
Nobody was watching.
Then he saw the signature at the bottom.
A small black triangle.
Daniel knew that symbol.
His late wife’s brother had once warned him about it.
A private security group used it.
A group that specialized in making people disappear.
Daniel looked toward Olivia.
Maybe her story wasn’t only about a rich family.
Maybe someone dangerous was already inside the estate.
