Buying My Forever Wife novel Chapter 72

Even his voice was noticeably softer than a moment ago.

"Is that really how you see me?"

Ivy nodded eagerly. "Mmhmm."

"Alright, I'll let it slide. Go get Stella."

Seeing their daughter wander a bit too far, Alaric gave a gentle reminder.

Snapping to attention, Ivy hurried over to grab Stella's hand.

Stella scrunched up her little face, looking utterly pitiful.

"Mommy, I need to go to the bathroom."

Knowing the restrooms weren't far, Ivy called out to Alaric.

"I'm going to take Stella to the restroom real quick!"

Alaric nodded.

He watched them walk away.

Then, he turned his attention back to the picnic blanket, laying out snacks for his two girls.

Barely a minute after Ivy and Stella left, Ethan Foster spotted Alaric from a distance.

Ethan rubbed his eyes, convinced he was hallucinating. Striding closer to confirm, he gasped in sheer shock.

"Alaric? What are you doing here?"

He stared at the picnic blanket piled with pastries and snacks, utterly bewildered.

His notoriously aloof, unapproachable uncle was actually out here having a solo picnic?

Was this a joke?

Had the world turned upside down?

Ethan's jaw practically hit the grass.

Alaric hadn't expected to be ambushed by a family member, especially after picking such a secluded spot.

His expression flatlined, and his voice turned to ice.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"I was bored and needed some fresh air. Total coincidence, right?"

Ethan made himself right at home, plunking down on the blanket and eyeing the blatantly feminine array of snacks.

"Are you dating someone? Did you bring a girlfriend here?"

Panic seized her. She stopped dead in her tracks, dropping to one knee to face the little girl.

"Stella, when we go over there, you can't call me Mommy, okay? Call me Ivy. Remember what we talked about? In public, I'm just your friend."

Though Stella didn't understand why, she nodded obediently. As long as her mommy didn't leave her, she'd do whatever she asked.

Thinking quickly, Ivy added,

"Also, tell them you got lost and that I'm just a nice stranger who brought you back. You can't let him know that I live with your daddy, alright?"

Stella gave another innocent nod.

Ivy planted a kiss on her cheek.

"You are such a good, smart girl. I'll teach you how to draw and sing when we get home."

As much as she dreaded facing Ethan,

she couldn't just stand there hiding with Stella forever.

What if Ethan refused to leave?

Besides, all of Stella's favorite sandwiches and treats would be ruined if they sat out in the sun too long.

Trusting Stella to play along, Ivy braced herself and led the little girl forward.