The Doormat Wife’s Ultimate Glow-Up novel Chapter 367

“If you get the chance, talk to her. Don’t let her get blinded by hate.”

Bailey and Hank stood by the door, both of them looking furious as the police led Grace out and pushed her into the back of the car.

“Dad, look at this!” Hank was so angry his chest was rising and falling fast. “This is all Reese’s doing. Taking the shares wasn’t enough. Now she’s sending Grace into the prison.”

“Call Tyler.” Bailey’s voice was cold and hard. “Tell him to stop the transfer of shares to Reese.” He picked up his phone and dialed Reese’s number himself. “I want to hear from her mouth what exactly she thinks she’s doing.”

***

In the quiet hospital room, Reese’s phone started ringing, Bailey’s name lighting up the screen. She glanced at it, a flash of sarcasm in her eyes. So Grace had been taken away by Roman, and now Bailey was calling. She could guess he didn’t believe a word of Roman’s evidence. Even now, they were on Grace’s side, still thinking Reese was out for revenge.

Without thinking twice, Reese declined the call and switched her phone to silent. She didn’t have the energy for another pointless argument with those two. Grace had only herself to blame for how things turned out.

Just then, the door opened quietly. Alan walked in, holding a little hand in his. Annie, dressed in a pink dress with her hair in two neat pigtails, still had tear stains on her cheeks. The second she saw the bed, she let go of Alan’s hand and ran straight over, throwing herself against the side of the bed, her voice shaking. “Daddy! Daddy, please wake up!”

Reese hurried over, kneeling beside Annie and gently holding her trembling shoulders. “Annie, it’s alright. Daddy’s just sleeping. He’ll wake up soon, I promise.”

“Really?” Annie looked up with big, worried eyes. Her cheeks were wet with tears. “Alan said Daddy was really hurt. Is that true?”

Reese felt a sharp pain in her heart. She managed a soft smile. “Daddy did get hurt, but the doctors are working very hard to help him. As long as he rests, he’ll get better.”

Alan came closer, letting out a tired sigh. “As soon as you called, I got in touch with Mr. Sanchez. He took it seriously. He’s already sent military doctors to help.”

Reese went completely still, shock washing over her. Annie wasn’t Matthew’s biological daughter?

Alan stepped in, his voice gentle. “Annie’s parents died in the war. Matthew was close friends with them. He adopted her because he couldn’t bear to see her alone. He’s always treated her like his own and never explained it to anyone.”

Reese’s mind spun. She remembered the first time she’d seen Matthew awkwardly trying to fix Annie’s hair. She’d thought he was a grieving widower, still learning how to be a single dad. She never imagined Annie wasn’t his.

If she’d known, she never would have said those things and scared her.

After a few seconds, Reese forced herself to calm down. She hugged Annie close, gently rocking her. “No, sweetheart, that’s not it at all. I will find another way to help your daddy. I promise.”