Trash Husband, I'm the Top novel Chapter 352

He refused to sleep unless his father was there.

Nora was about to come up with an excuse when Daniel spoke first, his tone calm and straightforward. “Your dad isn’t coming tonight.”

“Daniel.” Nora shot him a warning look and spoke softly, trying to stop him from saying more.

Payne’s eyes, already glistening, quickly filled with tears.

“I want Daddy,” he whimpered.

Nora felt a headache coming on.

But Daniel just scooped Payne up, gently wiping away the boy’s tears.

“Your dad has to work late tonight, so he asked me to take care of you.”

Work meant nothing to Payne; he didn’t understand, and all he wanted was his father. He choked on his sobs, looking utterly miserable.

Daniel remained unruffled, his voice low and soothing. “Didn’t you say you wanted to protect your little sister?”

Payne hesitated, then nodded. His crying quieted down a bit.

“Then you have to be brave. A real gentleman doesn’t cry over something small, right?”

“I’m not crying,” Payne protested, rubbing his eyes with his small fists.

But no matter how many times he wiped them, the tears kept coming, and he couldn’t stop himself from crying again.

Daniel’s heart softened. Fighting back a smile, he continued to comfort him.

“Your sister needs to sleep. Shouldn’t you stay with her and help her fall asleep?”

Payne thought for a moment, then nodded. “I want to protect my sister.”

He was supposed to be a big boy now. He had to protect his sister—and not make Mom worry.

“You’re amazing, Payne. Go on, keep your mom and sister company while they sleep.”

Daniel set him gently on the bed. Payne immediately cuddled up to Nora, clinging to her arm obediently.

Nora gave Daniel a complicated look.

He’d always claimed he didn’t like children, yet he was surprisingly good at handling them.

But then, children were simple. For someone like Daniel, winning them over was almost effortless.

Besides, she’d already said she didn’t agree with Eleanor staying, but Daniel had ignored her. So she didn’t bother to dwell on it.

If Eleanor wanted to stay here forever, that was fine with her.

“Get some rest. We have your checkup tomorrow. I’ll go with you.”

Daniel never forgot a single one of Nora’s appointments.

The room fell silent for a moment.

Then Daniel spoke again, “Do you want to have the wedding before the baby is born, or after?”

He would have preferred to marry before the baby came, but he decided he’d let Nora decide.

He waited. The silence stretched on, and no answer came.

Daniel gave a wry smile in the darkness, then reached over to turn off the lamp.

He knew Nora wasn’t asleep.

She didn’t say a word, but that didn’t mean she was resting. Since she’d come back, this had become her habit—if she didn’t want to talk to him, she’d just pretend to be asleep.