Buying My Forever Wife novel Chapter 68

"Is that okay now?"

Stella shook her head adamantly, crossing her little arms with a pout.

"That's not a real kiss! A real kiss is when your lips touch his lips! That's how they do it on TV. Don't try to trick me."

She looked entirely too knowledgeable for her age, glaring at them as if she would hold her ground until they finally caved.

Ivy was paralyzed with shock.

Just pecking Mr. Foster on the cheek had required every ounce of courage she possessed.

How could she possibly kiss him on the lips?

She stood frozen, completely mortified, utterly clueless about what to do next.

Alaric was still secretly reeling from the lingering sensation of her lips against his cheek.

Hearing his daughter demand a kiss on the lips snapped him back to reality.

He knew he couldn't force something like this.

And he refused to let his daughter's temper tantrum dictate boundaries.

"Enough, Stella. If you keep pushing this, I'm going to be very angry. You're five years old; why are you acting so spoiled?"

It was the first time Alaric had ever raised his voice at his daughter, his expression instantly hardening into a strict scowl.

Stella flinched, looking up at him.

Seeing her father glaring at her, a profound sense of injustice washed over her, and she burst into fresh, heartbreaking tears.

"I just want a mommy who will stay with me forever! I want her to give me a baby brother or sister so our house can be loud and happy! What did I do wrong? Waaaah!"

Her sobs grew increasingly hysterical, massive tears cascading down her small face.

Alaric rubbed his temples, deeply irritated.

Having lost the last shred of his patience, he stood up abruptly, ready to walk out.

Stella was still wailing. "Waaah... Daddy, you're a liar! I'm never talking to you again! I hate you!"

"Stella, stop."

Ivy rushed forward, desperately wiping the tears from the little girl's cheeks.

"Don't cry. Don't say that to your daddy. You want me to kiss him, right? Just wait."

Too overwhelmed to even check on Stella, Ivy spun on her heel and bolted from the room.

Alaric finally snapped back to reality.

Watching the girl run away in sheer panic, her last words echoing in his mind.

He didn't feel angry at the assault—instead, he felt an inexplicable wave of disappointment.

Was Ivy repulsed by him? Did kissing him disgust her so much she immediately had to go wash her face and scrub her mouth?

Convinced that must be the case, a heavy, suffocating gloom settled over Alaric.

He turned to the child sitting triumphantly on the bed, his irritation flaring up all over again.

"Are you happy now?"

Stella grinned cheekily, thoroughly pleased with her handiwork. "Now I believe you! You weren't lying to me."

"But Daddy, you have to be super affectionate with each other like that every day! No fighting! That way Mommy will be happy, and I'll be super happy too."

Alaric was speechless.