Chapter 25 Standing right behind Dominic , Marissa had overheard every word of the exchange between Dominick and Paisley .
As she watched Dominicks fixation on Paisleys daughter , the uncase in Marissas chest only grew more intense .
Why ca cant you just disappear for good .
Paisley ? Youve been gone for four years .
Why did you come back now ? Marissa silently cursed in her mind , her resentment boiling beneath her composed exterior .
But she knew it wasnt the time to dwell on those thoughts .
Marissa shot a sharp glare at Stella and thought bitterly .
This whole mess was as the little brats fault ! Cant she figure out what to say and what not to say ? She almost blew everything up !.
Steeling herself .
Marissa adjusted her expression , softened her tone , and took Graysons hand as she quickly walked up to Dominick Dom she called gently and closely watched his reaction .
But Dominick d didnt even glance her way .
His gaze was locked in the direction where Paisley had driven off , his face dark with thought Marissas face looked darker , but she pressed on .
This whole situation is my fault .
I didnt explain things clearly to Stella , so she got the wrong idea .
I was just trying to teach her to look out for Sonny , you know ! After what happened before , Ive been extra cautious about who gets close to him .
Back when Grayson was still in preschool , a troubling incident had left its mark .
A little girl coaxed by her parents , had befriended Grayson and lured him to their house .
Her father , a former business partner of Vanderbilt Group , had lost his contract due to quality issues and had held a grudge ever since .
He planned to use Grayson to exact revenge on Dominick .
Luckily , the situation was resolved before it escalated , but Grayson had been badly shaken , leaving emotional scars that lingered .
Ever since then , the Vanderbilt family had been vigilant and would scrutinize anyone who came near Grayson .
This time , Stella was in the wrong She acted rashly without understanding what really happened , Marissa said , her tone full of regret She paused , letting a small silence hang in the air before carefully adding , But who wouldve thought … that little girl was Paisleys daughter ? I mean , four years after your divorce , she shows up with a three year old daughter .
Its really … She trailed off, letting the implication hang Marissa didnt need to spell it out she knew Dominick would connect the dots .

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The growing storm cloud on his face told Marissa her words had landed exactly where she wanted .
Still , she shifted gears , adding a humble note to her tone .
Anyway , todays mess is on me and Stella Dominick finally y tore his gaze away from the empty road and said in a heavy tone .
Its not your fault .
You were only protecting Sonny .
If anyones at fault here , its Paisley .
Shes the one failing as a mother .
Marissa picked up Grayson , giving him a comforting squeeze as she murmured , Dom , dont be so harsh .
I can understand Paisley .
Not every mother loves their child the way you expect .
Dominicks expression darkened even further , his jaw tightening with barely restrained anger .
ret .
You dont love The thought grawed at him .
Paisley , Grayson is your child too , yet you walked away without a second thought or an ounce of regret Grayson , but you love a child you have with another man .
Paisley , you are heartless