Seducing My Ex's Father In Law Chapter 480
Judy’s POV
I stared at Gavin in shock — he wasn’t smiling, laughing, or joking. The baby in Irene’s arms belonged to Ethan. But it clearly wasn’t Irene’s baby. I turned toward her just as her eyes found mine, and I could see the turmoil reflected there. She had been crying before we arrived; the evidence lingered in the form of dried tears on her cheeks and slightly bloodshot eyes.
“How did you end up with Ethan’s baby?” I asked before I could stop myself. “When did he even have a baby? Why am I only finding out about this now?”
“Her name was Stella…” Irene murmured. “I found out he’d been seeing her behind my back… along with others.”
“And she was pregnant?” I asked, raising my brows.
“Yes,” Irene whispered. “I caught her outside Ethan’s house. She was already pregnant when I met her a few months ago. I… uh… might have given her money to leave and never come back.”
“How much money?” Gavin asked, irritation clear in his voice and etched across his face.
Irene flushed, nervously nibbling her lower lip.
“Almost a million,” she admitted, making me gasp. “I wanted her to have enough to start over. But apparently, she didn’t leave immediately, and Ethan found out about the pregnancy. He threatened her… he told her to abort the baby or he would kill them both himself.”
My wolf whimpered at the thought of my mate being so cruel to another woman — especially one carrying his child. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the baby cradled in Irene’s arms — my mate’s baby.
“Why does she trust you after you tried to pay her off?” Gavin asked, his tone rougher than usual.
“I don’t know,” Irene replied, glancing at her father. “Maybe because I’m a Landry, and we’re the most prestigious family in the world?” She shrugged. “All I know is that Ethan can never find out Emalyn is his daughter. She’s just an innocent baby. She doesn’t deserve to have a monster like him for a father.”
“We agree on that,” I murmured, folding my arms across my chest.
“I don’t know what to do, Dad…” she whispered, tears filling her eyes.
Gavin pulled out his phone, swiping across the screen a few times. After a moment, he lifted it to his cheek.
“I need you to come to the villa,” Gavin said into the phone. “Yes, right now.”
He ended the call and turned to Irene.
“Stay here with the baby for a while. I’ll be back,” he told her.
She sniffled but nodded, hugging the baby closer to her chest.
Gavin then faced me, his expression softening as he placed his hands on my shoulders, his thumbs gently tracing the nape of my neck as he held me in place.
“Stay with her while I make arrangements,” he said quietly, his voice meant only for me.
He didn’t have to ask twice; I nodded immediately.
As soon as her father was gone, Irene let out a sob.
I moved to sit beside her on the couch. The tiny baby girl in her arms was so precious that it pulled at my heart. I couldn’t believe Ethan had fathered a child with another woman.
“It doesn’t feel real,” she whispered, breaking the heavy silence between us. “I mean… this is Ethan’s baby.”
“He can’t find out about her,” I whispered back. “I don’t trust him to know. You know what he’s capable of…”
“I know,” Irene said, cutting off my words. “He will never know she’s his daughter. I’ll fight to protect her if I have to.”
“Your dad will know what to do,” I said, leaning back into the couch with a sigh. “And you’re not alone. I’m here too. I’ll help however I can.”
“Can you hold her for a second?” Irene asked, tears filling her eyes. “I need a moment to breathe…”
I nodded and gently took the baby from her, cradling her in my arms. I watched as Irene left the parlor, leaving me alone with the little girl.
I gazed down at the baby, noticing she had Ethan’s nose and ears, her tiny lips parted slightly as she breathed. Her eyes were closed in peaceful sleep. She was such a beautiful baby, and my heart swelled at the sight of her. A strange feeling came over me, and my wolf surged with protectiveness. She wasn’t my child… and yet, because she was the daughter of my fated mate, my instincts screamed to protect her.
A small whimper escaped the baby, making my heart lurch.
“Shh, it’s okay,” I soothed, gently bouncing her in my arms.
Noticing an open backpack beside the couch, I spotted some untouched baby supplies inside. Assuming she hadn’t been fed yet, I balanced the baby on my lap and quickly made a bottle of formula.
She latched onto the bottle and began drinking hungrily. A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips as I fed her.