CHAPTER 61: CHAPTER 61: TIANA LINDEN FINALLY GETS MARRIED!

"There’s another way: you and I can register our marriage, making me Daisy’s stepfather, and then Daisy’s household registration can be directly transferred to me."

"No way!"

Upon hearing Leo Sutton’s proposal, Tiana Linden immediately refused.

Thinking of Kiera Chaucer, who died during childbirth, Tiana felt heartbroken.

She turned her head, wiped away the tears that came unbidden, and finally looked at Leo Sutton, saying firmly:

"Leo, I know you are doing this for me and Daisy, but I can’t do something that would betray Kiera."

The response to Tiana was Leo Sutton’s darkening gaze.

He looked towards the horizon from afar, gazing at the vast expanse of clouds, the vitality in this April when spring returns to earth, and the bustling crowds at the hospital entrance.

But he could no longer see his wife, Kiera Chaucer.

Leo Sutton gave a bitter smile.

"Tiana, do you know?"

"When you came to our law firm to handle your will and I learned you were terminally ill with cancer, it felt like the sky was falling."

"At that time, I thought you were the greatest regret of my life, my eternal pain."

"I married Kiera and had children, which seemed blissful and complete. I had a responsibility to her, to protect her for a lifetime, but she wasn’t the one I yearned for."

"It wasn’t until she closed her eyes forever, and I couldn’t wake her no matter how I called, that I realized she was the best woman in this world, and the woman I loved the most."

"In this lifetime, I will never marry another woman."

He would obey Kiera Chaucer’s words and take good care of the three children.

"Tiana, Daisy has been in danger twice with Aiden Grant, almost losing her life both times. Daisy absolutely cannot continue living with him."

"And you marrying me is the quickest and most effective way to obtain custody and guardianship over Daisy."

"We’re just getting the marriage certificate, it’s a fake marriage, we won’t be a real couple."

"If you don’t want Aiden and Vivian Linden to disturb Daisy, I can take Daisy, Laura, and Laura’s younger sister to live somewhere else."

It is indeed the fastest and most effective method.

Yet Tiana could not make a decision.

She actually didn’t have much time left, and if she registered her marriage with Leo Sutton, Daisy would become Leo’s stepdaughter, and she and Leo would indeed just be a pretend couple.

Still, it felt too much like betraying the late Kiera.

Leo Sutton knew what Tiana was struggling with.

Under the mottled sunlight, Leo Sutton was filled with sorrow.

In one night, he seemed to have aged significantly.

The light in his eyes diminished greatly.

He continued to speak, his voice heavy with sadness:

"When Kiera died, she hoped for a miracle to happen with you."

"She said, if you could keep living, she wished I could marry you."

"But, she is my only wife."

"Tiana, those feelings I once had for you, I’ve already let go of. I’m only doing this to gain custody of Daisy, to take good care of her."

"This was Kiera’s last wish too."

He vowed to remain faithful to Kiera Chaucer for the rest of his life, until he was old and gray.

He wouldn’t let any feelings develop for Tiana again.

Once the children were raised and happy, he would reunite with Kiera underground.

"Tiana, I also hope for a miracle to happen to you."

"But your health, you know it better than anyone."

This painful topic made both their hearts sink into the depths of the lake.

Leo Sutton let out a heavy sigh and added:

"Tiana, please consider my proposal carefully."

...

Kiera Chaucer’s funeral was held three days later.

When Tiana saw Leo Sutton again at the funeral, he, who had once been full of spirit, had gained many more gray hairs in just a few days.

Tiana had a thousand words to comfort him, which eventually turned into only a sentence caught in her throat, "Leo, take care!"

There was a forced, mournful smile at the corner of Leo Sutton’s lips. "Tiana, I’ve given my little daughter a name, just one word—Hope, Penelope Sutton."

Back then, Kiera named their elder daughter Laura.

Graceful and poised.

Kiera hoped their eldest daughter would grow up to be elegant and graceful.

Now he named their younger daughter Penelope, hoping that in the next life he could continue his marriage with Kiera.

Tiana knew about Leo Sutton’s feelings for Kiera, and thinking of how young Kiera had been... her heart felt stifled, "... Penelope is a beautiful name!"

At the funeral, Tiana brought Daisy along.

Daisy wasn’t seeing death for the first time.

She understood the meaning of life and death.

The small head lifted, looking at her with sorrow, "Mom, soon you’ll also be lying in that cold ice coffin like Aunt Kiera, right?"

Tiana didn’t know how to respond, "..."

At that moment, Tiana saw Aiden bringing Vivian over for the memorial service.

After the memorial, Aiden walked straight towards her.

He stopped in front of her, "At Kiera’s memorial hall, you don’t feel guilty or afraid at all?"

Tiana did not answer him.

She looked at Vivian beside Aiden.

A few days ago, Vivian’s head had been hit by her, leaving it bloody, and it was still wrapped in gauze.

Faintly, there were large scabs forming.

In that glance, Tiana’s eyes held a warning, with a hint of murderous intent, causing Vivian to instinctively hide behind Aiden.

Tiana knew that if Aiden took Daisy’s custody, Vivian would certainly find another way to kill Daisy.

Even if Aiden didn’t take custody, with Aiden’s current attention to Daisy, Vivian would be guilty and afraid.

The more guilty and afraid she was, the more Vivian would find an opportunity to harm Daisy again.

Tiana was scared.

And Leo Sutton was the most reliable person she could trust.

Leo’s proposal came to mind again.

She looked at her daughter Daisy beside her, Daisy should also like Leo Sutton a lot.

The smiling photo of Kiera in the memorial hall made her immediately reject that proposal.

...

Star River Bay, Tranquil Villa.

Aiden opened the car door, waiting for Vivian to get out, "We’re here."

Getting out of the car, Vivian deliberately bumped her head, "Hiss..."

Blood seeped out.

The white gauze immediately turned bright red.

Standing at the car door, Aiden asked casually, "Are you okay?"

Though concerned, it was not as eager and worried as before.

Vivian lowered her head in grievance, "Aiden, my head was actually hit by my sister. That day she was so fierce... Clearly Daisy went missing at your place, yet she blamed me for it. Aiden, I’m really wronged."

Talking about this, Vivian’s eyes were brimming with tears.

Standing by the car door, Aiden remained expressionless, "Is that so? Then why did she hit you?"

"..." Vivian dared not continue speaking.

Aiden added, "The police said Daisy was put in a sack and then thrown into the lake. Does this have anything to do with you?"

Vivian became furious, "Aiden, don’t blame me without evidence. If I really wanted to drown Daisy, why is she still alive and well?"

Aiden said nothing more.

He indeed had no evidence.

Just like Daisy’s parentage.

His intuition clearly told him Daisy was his biological daughter, yet the test results were always negative.

There was a vast and terrifying force hidden behind this.

"You go inside, I’m leaving."

He turned and got into the car.

Standing by the car door, Vivian cried in grievance, "Aiden, sister disregarded Kiera’s recent passing and got together with Leo Sutton. If her heart is not here with you, why can’t you live well with me?"

In response to Vivian, Aiden ignored her.

The black Hongqi sedan soon drove away in the breeze.

...

The next day, Tiana went to St. Peter’s Kindergarten to pick up Daisy as usual.

But Daisy was gone.

Daisy was forcibly taken away by Aiden.

A children’s theme restaurant.

Aiden accompanied Daisy in the play area.

His tone was very gentle, "Daisy, don’t you like playing in the ball pit? Uncle will play with you, okay?"

"I want Mommy!" Daisy hung her head, looking very depressed.

No matter what Aiden said, she only responded with that sentence.

Aiden knew that taking her this way was too abrupt.

Reaching out, he wanted to touch Daisy’s head.

But Daisy quickly dodged, "I want Mommy!"

Then, Daisy finally looked up at Aiden, "Do you still want to send me abroad?"

"Daisy, in the future whatever you don’t want, Uncle will not do." Aiden also felt guilty about Daisy’s disappearance a few days ago.

Such a mistake, he would never make again.

"Then why are you still taking me away?"

Aiden Grant didn’t answer; instead, he asked, "Daisy, do you know who your father is? Do you want to be with him?"

At that time, Daisy did want to.

The first time at the airport meeting her dad, he picked her up and gently put a band-aid on her.

She fantasized that he was her dad.

To her surprise, he really was her dad.

But when mom took her to see dad, he didn’t want her, he was so fierce.

She looked at this man with teary eyes but no longer wanted to acknowledge him as her father.

Tearful Daisy made Aiden’s heart tighten painfully.

He raised his hand, intending to wipe her tears, but Daisy dodged again.

He had to lower his hand and asked again, "Daisy, your mom must have told you who your dad is, right?"

Daisy replied with utmost determination, "My dad’s name is Hector Chaucer."

That’s what her mom taught her.

Daisy would never acknowledge the person in front of her.

In response, Aiden’s gaze was pained and he let out a silent sigh.

He gestured to the person beside him.

Immediately, someone stepped forward and bent down in front of Daisy, "Daisy darling, Uncle needs a few strands of your hair; it might hurt a bit, I’m sorry."

"What are you doing? Ow... give me back my hair."

Aiden looked at the person collecting the hair; the person was wearing a police uniform, a forensic expert from the police department.

This time, Aiden didn’t plan to do the paternity test at outside institutions.

He and Daisy had done paternity tests twice, once at several institutions in Veridia and once at institutions elsewhere.

The results all said they weren’t biologically related.

But his intuition told him that Daisy was his daughter.

Someone behind the scenes was preventing him from acknowledging Daisy.

So this time, he enlisted the help of a police department forensic expert to go to the most authoritative testing institution.

"This time it has to be foolproof, please."

Just then, Aiden’s phone rang.

It was Tiana Linden.

Tiana’s new number, which Aiden had always saved.

Though Tiana had long blocked him.

When he called from his phone, it was always the busy tone.

This call from Tiana got his emotions surging even more.

He clearly hated Tiana.

But this call made him unusually nervous.

When he swiped to answer, his palm, unknowingly, was sweating.

On the line, Tiana’s voice was full of anger.

"Aiden Grant, where did you take Daisy?"

Even though the voice was full of rage, Aiden felt a sense of relief.

He patiently replied, "Riventhorne Road, Children’s Theme Restaurant."

Half an hour later, Tiana arrived breathlessly at the children’s theme restaurant on Riventhorne Road.

Aiden had brought Tiana here to eat before.

Because Tiana liked the ice cream at this restaurant.

The dishes were already served, and Daisy sat at the dining table with Aiden.

Seeing Tiana, Daisy rushed down from the table.

The bodyguard in front blocked her, but Aiden gestured for them to let her through.

Only then did Daisy get free and dash towards Tiana.

Tiana quickly squatted down and held Daisy tightly.

Finally in her mother’s arms, Daisy cried anxiously, "Mom, I thought that person was going to take us apart again."

Tiana picked Daisy up, "No, Daisy. Mom won’t let him take you away."

At this point, Aiden approached the mother and daughter from behind.

He didn’t say a word.

He quietly watched the big and small figures of the mother and daughter hugging.

Such a peaceful scene seemed to have a healing effect, soothing his restless heart.

He wished he could always watch them, mother and daughter.

Then, Tiana glared fiercely at Aiden, "Aiden, what exactly do you want?"

Aiden answered irrelevantly, "The dishes are ready, let’s eat first."

In Tiana’s arms, Daisy complained, "Mom, they pulled my hair."

Upon hearing this, Tiana incredulously looked at Aiden.

This man still hadn’t given up?

She didn’t understand what Aiden wanted; when she begged him to adopt Daisy, he was so dismissive.

Why was he now entangled and unwilling to let go?

Is this the so-called blood ties, where there’s always a connection in the unseen?

Indeed, Daisy is Aiden’s biological daughter.

There must be a blood connection.

But Tiana would rather Daisy not be Aiden’s daughter.

"Aiden, I told you, Daisy isn’t your daughter. Can you stop disturbing our lives?"

When Aiden spoke, he once again responded with irrelevance, "Let’s talk about Leo Sutton’s matter, sit down and eat while we talk."

He thought that Leo wasn’t a man worth entrusting one’s life to.

Even if she insisted, as her former man, he should still advise her.

Speak of the devil.

Leo arrived in front of Tiana and her daughter.

Seeing Tiana struggling to hold Daisy, he quickly took Daisy and gently held her in his arms.

Immediately, Daisy felt full of security, and hugged Leo’s neck, "Uncle Leo, you’re finally here."

"Don’t be afraid, Uncle is here." Leo gently patted Daisy’s head.

Such intimate actions made Aiden’s temple tighten.

At this moment, Leo looked worriedly at Tiana, "Tiana, are you okay?"

Tiana shook her head, "I’m fine, let’s go."

Behind them, Aiden watched the three leave with eyes full of envy.

His instincts told him that Daisy was his daughter, he was Daisy’s father, but Leo, Tiana, and Daisy looked like a family of three.

He looked at Tiana’s back, struggling to control his emotions, coldly asking, "Tiana, are you really going to be with Leo Sutton?"

Tiana only paused slightly.

But she didn’t turn back or respond.

"Leo, let’s go."

The three left the restaurant, went downstairs, and got into the car.

Daisy, probably tired, fell asleep in her mother’s arms as the car drove on.

Watching Leo drive, Tiana finally made a decision, "Leo, let’s get married and quickly register Daisy’s name under yours. Kiera is waiting for me on the Reaper’s Road, my days are numbered, and when I see her there, I’ll explain everything to her."

At this moment, the red light at the intersection turned on.

Leo applied the brakes.

After the car stopped, he turned slightly, "Have you decided?"

"Yes." Tiana nodded vigorously.

Daisy had narrowly escaped death twice while with Aiden.

She absolutely couldn’t let Aiden take Daisy away.

Leo thought for a moment, "Alright, then tomorrow at nine in the morning, we’ll go to the civil affairs bureau to register."

After agreeing on this, Leo took Tiana and Daisy home for a meal, then returned them to their rented house in the village in the city.

Nine at night.

Aiden waited at the alley entrance of the village in the city.

From the moment Leo left with Tiana and her daughter, he had been waiting here.

Leaning against the lamppost, he waited while smoking.

At his feet lay another cigarette butt one after another.

"Tiana, tonight is late, you and Daisy have a good rest. Tomorrow, after registering, I’ll take you to The Sovereign."

"Thank you, Leo."

"Tiana, don’t worry. I’m very experienced as a father, and I’ll definitely take good care of Daisy, ensuring Daisy, Laura, and Penelope become loving sisters."

Hearing this, Tiana was choked with emotion.

Since Kiera’s death, Leo had to take care of Laura and Penelope, and now there was Daisy too.

She had caused trouble for Leo.

"Leo, I..." She didn’t know how to thank Leo.

Kiera’s death had deeply affected her.

She had long seen through life and death, but she couldn’t let go of her child.

But with Leo protecting her, Daisy would surely grow up strong.

"Don’t cry!" Holding the sleeping Daisy, Leo freed a hand to wipe Tiana’s tears.

Such intimate actions fell into Aiden’s eyes, who was not far away behind the lamppost.

The lamppost and night shadows hid Aiden’s figure.

Along with it, they concealed the waves of envy and pain in his eyes.

And deep anger!

Kiera’s body was not yet cold, and these two people were already about to register for marriage?