Trash Husband, I'm the Top novel Chapter 288

Nora shook her head. “No, that’s alright.”

With Daniel’s resources, it didn’t matter where she went—he’d find her anywhere.

There was no point in making things more complicated.

In the span of half a minute, Daniel had already crossed the lot and pulled open the car door. He wore a faint smile, strikingly handsome in the evening light.

“Come on out.”

Before Nora could say anything, Payne darted forward and flung himself into Daniel’s arms. “Mr. Chambers!”

Daniel scooped him up with one arm and reached out for Nora with the other.

Nora dropped her gaze, purposely avoiding his hand.

Daniel didn’t seem bothered. Holding Payne, he walked alongside her, as if nothing were amiss.

It had only been two weeks, but to him, it felt as though he hadn’t seen her in ages. The longing twisted inside him, fierce and relentless, but he masked it with perfect composure.

Inside the elevator, he couldn’t stop himself from watching her—almost drinking in the sight of her, as if that might soothe the ache of missing her.

Nora felt it, every bit of it.

She didn’t like it, but now wasn’t the time to make a scene.

When they entered the private dining room, Hans spotted Daniel. He froze for a moment, then recovered quickly, saying nothing more than instructing the waiter to set an extra place at the table.

Daniel settled Payne beside him, making it look as though he was especially fond of the boy.

But everyone in the room knew the truth.

Daniel’s tenderness toward Payne was nothing more than a ploy—a way to hold onto Nora through the child.

No one said a word about it.

The food arrived, steaming and plentiful. The waiter slipped away.

Louis brought up Hans’s engagement.

Hans shrugged, unfazed. “Everything’s arranged. Just show up tomorrow.”

He sounded more like he was ticking tasks off a list than about to get engaged. There was no trace of excitement, only the sense of duty.

The conversation drifted between the two men, Nora chiming in with the occasional comment.

Daniel, on the other hand, stayed silent throughout, patiently feeding Payne as if the rest of the world didn’t exist.

Anyone watching might have felt a pang of sympathy for him.

Nora managed just a few bites before her stomach began to churn.

Her face had even gotten rounder lately—what on earth was he seeing? It was pure slander.

She smiled, lips curling in amusement. “He’s wonderful—gentle, attentive, an amazing cook. Thanks to him, I’m eating well, sleeping well.”

Daniel searched her face, and something heavy settled in his chest.

Louis really did take good care of her. Or maybe, just being near someone she loved made her glow.

The realization cut him to the core.

“So you got everything you wanted?”

Nora’s smile widened. “Exactly. Thank you, Mr. Chambers, for letting me go.”

Daniel’s grip tightened. The urge to just take her away—right then, right there—threatened to overwhelm him.

The thought filled his mind, blotting out reason.

Nora saw the look in his eyes; her heart skipped. Something wasn’t right.

“Daniel, the baby and I are hungry. I want to get back to dinner.”

He leaned in, his voice soft and steady. “Let me take care of you. Let me take you both to eat.”

Without waiting for her answer, he swept her up in his arms and strode toward the elevator.