Chapter 4 Insisted on Sitting Beside Her Husband
Dinner time crept up before Lilah realized it, and it wasn't until a servant reminded her that she finally shut her laptop and stood up.
The sky outside was already darkening, with only the villa still lit up.
She followed the servant downstairs into the dining room, still in her workwear. Even though the former Lilah hadn't been all there mentally, she'd always joined them for meals.
At the table, Gabriel sat across from Verity, both dressed neatly for dinner.
Little Aiden sat quietly beside Verity, holding his utensils in his small hands. His silent expression was a copy of Gabriel's, like they were cut from the same mold.
Verity wore a gentle, just-right smile as she leaned over to adjust Aiden's napkin, speaking softly, "Aiden, how's the creamy mushroom soup today? I had the kitchen add extra mushrooms just for you."
But her eyes, clearly, were stealing glances at Gabriel, a faint pink coloring her cheeks like she was glowing with joy.
Gabriel was slicing into his steak, movements smooth and effortless—detached, though, as always.
The whole scene had that fake family warmth vibe, making Lilah's sudden arrival feel like she didn't belong.
Lilah's eyes scanned the table until she spotted the extra seat placed off to the side.
She walked over, picked up the plate set there, and calmly placed it right next to Gabriel—directly across from Aiden—and sat down without hesitation.
Verity froze, visibly thrown by the bold move.
The air felt like it thickened for a second, even the servants opted to stare at the ground, pretending to disappear.
The subtle clatter of cutlery on porcelain was the only sound, as Gabriel stopped moving entirely. The tension around him was unmistakable, his lips pressed tight, giving Lilah a glare icy enough to cut glass.
"What?" Lilah met his gaze, calm and unbothered. "You're not seriously suggesting Aiden's biological mother sit way over in the corner, are you?"
The overhead light highlighted the sharp angles of Gabriel's face, casting a cool shadow that made his expression even harder.
But Lilah didn't flinch. She lifted an eyebrow slightly, her eyes still as water—quiet, deep, unreadable. But her message was clear: I'm sitting here. Deal with it.
And her title as Aiden's mother still held power. Gabriel said nothing—just picked up his utensils again like he accepted it, even if reluctantly.
The second it became clear he wasn't going to argue, Verity's fake smile nearly cracked. Her fingers clenched around her napkin, knuckles going pale.
She forced out a sweet tone. "Lilah, what brings you to this side of the table today? Feeling unwell, maybe?"
"You're just a nanny on the Wallace payroll. Do you really think it's your place to ask?" Lilah said casually, running her fork through the vegetables on her plate.
The word "nanny" landed like a slap across Verity's face—twice.
Color drained from her cheeks, but she didn't dare shoot back.
She saw Gabriel reach for the salt, and quickly leaned in to hand it to him first, acting like everything was fine.
Her movement was so smooth it was almost affectionate, like she belonged right there next to him.
Lilah gave an unhurried smirk. "Honestly, Miss Nolan's nanny energy feels more like First Lady of the House."
"I didn't mean anything by it... just trying to help..." Verity looked like she'd cry, turning towards Gabriel with a pitiful "Gabe..."
Just then, Gabriel moved. He gently but clearly shifted away from her, brushing off the gesture without even looking bothered.
Verity bit down on her lower lip hard.
That crazy woman really did just humiliate me right in front of him.
Bitch.
Lilah, meanwhile, acted like she hadn't noticed Verity's murderous glare.
Instead, her eyes landed on the plate of shrimp in front of Aiden. The little guy had tried a few times to reach it but kept falling short, and eventually gave up, poking at his rice in silence.
Without saying anything, Lilah leaned over slightly and nudged the shrimp plate closer to him.
Aiden blinked, stunned. His big dark eyes went wide with surprise.
This was new. The mom he remembered only ever yelled at Verity. But tonight, she wasn't mad at all.
He looked at the plate that had suddenly appeared in front of him, then quickly sneaked a glance at Lilah.
Lilah glanced back and gave him a quiet smile, doing her best to look warm and gentle.Aiden ducked his head, poking at the rice in his bowl. His long lashes trembled slightly.
"Aiden, you've got a bit of sauce by your mouth. Lemme help you wipe it off."
Verity suddenly leaned in, picking up a napkin and dabbing at Aiden's lips.
Startled by the sudden gesture, Aiden shrank back a bit, his little face scrunching up with discomfort.
"Miss Nolan, Aiden's fully capable of taking care of himself. You don't need to jump in for everything," Lilah said, frowning slightly.
Verity's hand paused midair, then she quickly put on her usual soft, innocent smile. "I mean, I've always looked after him. He's still so little, I just want to make him feel cared for..."
"He's little, which is exactly why he needs to learn to do things on his own. Besides, you're not exactly gentle—you didn't notice he looked uncomfortable?" Lilah shot back, her tone sharpening.
Verity's fingers loosened their grip instinctively. Her face darkened for a split second.
Gabriel looked up from his meal, gaze flickering toward Aiden.
The kid rubbed his own cheek, expression turning slightly sour.
A flash of something unreadable passed through Gabriel's eyes before his face returned to its usual impassiveness.
He said in a flat tone, "Let Aiden eat on his own."
That one sentence landed like a slap across Verity's face, echoing what Lilah had said.
Verity stiffened in her seat, staying silent now.
But her fingers clenched tight around the utensils, a faint bitterness flaring in her eyes.
Lilah, just you wait.
Dinner was finally over—thankfully.
Lilah set down her napkin, wanting nothing more than to get away from this suffocating table.
Her eyes landed on Aiden—his soft, sweet little face tugged at her heartstrings.
Too bad the original woman's insanity had pushed Gabriel to sever all ties with her and her son.
As she stood to leave, a small hand tugged gently on the corner of her shirt.
Aiden looked up at her, hesitant eyes blinking. "Can I... take the puppy out for a walk with you?"
Lilah was caught off guard, eyes flashing with surprise. Before she could say a word, a sharp voice cut in.
"Aiden!" Verity stomped over, yanking at his hand without warning. "You're such a good boy, but your mom's not in the right state to walk with you, sweetie..."
She pulled on him so hard it made Aiden wince, his shoulder tensing up, though he didn't dare push back.
Seeing the sad look on his face, a rage sparked hot and fast in Lilah's chest.
"Miss Nolan, your job is to care for the child, not to control him."
She stepped forward, gaze fierce, locking on Verity like a laser beam.
"If Aiden wants his mom's company, you—as the nanny—don't get to overrule him."
Verity widened her eyes, playing innocent. "Lilah, I get you're upset, but I've been raising him all this time..."
"Enough."
Gabriel's low, cold voice cut through the tension.
No one had noticed him getting up, but now he stood with unreadable eyes trained on them.
"Let Aiden go with whoever he wants."
Verity's face went pale. She said nothing further, but the unwillingness showed plainly.
Lilah ignored Verity's poisonous look and reached a hand out toward Aiden. "Let's go."
...
The fluffy white puppy bounded ahead, the leash loose in Aiden's grip.
Lilah slowed down her pace to keep a short distance behind.
Then suddenly—Aiden tripped over something and tumbled forward hard.
Gabriel had followed along out of worry for Lilah.
Seeing Aiden fall, his face instantly darkened. "Lilah! What did you do?!"
But she reacted faster than he did. The moment Aiden lost his balance, she dropped to her knees.
Both arms folded tightly around Aiden, catching him securely before he hit the ground. Her voice rose a notch, edged with fury. "Gabriel, are you blind or what?!"
Protectively cradling Aiden, Lilah glared up at Gabriel.
He froze for a second, caught off guard, staring at her delicate, worried face. For a moment, it felt like he was really seeing her for the first time.
Her neat clothes outlined her elegant features, and her eyes, though glaring at him, burned with a fierce sort of beauty. And strangely... his heart skipped a beat instead of feeling offended.