His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 76

"Zachary."

"Yes, Boss."

"Take Toby back to Bayview Manor." Archer's voice was steady, but his eyes never left that lonely little figure.

Zachary was momentarily stunned. He followed his boss's gaze, then immediately nodded. "Right away, Boss."

Toby wanted to whine, but meeting Archer's cold stare, he obediently climbed onto Zachary's shoulder.

Archer's expression softened. With one hand in his pocket, he walked straight toward the bench.

Hearing footsteps, Cindy's big, teary eyes instantly looked over. Seeing it was him, her eyes dimmed a little, but she still greeted him obediently, "Mr. Archer."

"Where is your mommy?" Archer squatted down to be at her eye level.

"Mommy is still working. She said she'd come pick me up later." Cindy swung her short legs, her small hands tightening around the doll.

Archer glanced down at his watch, his gaze gentle. "Let's go. I'll let your teacher and your mommy know, and I'll take you home."

...

Around 8 PM, Virginia rushed back to the apartment, ignoring her exhaustion.

Pushing the door open, she didn't even bother taking off her shoes and was about to call out when she suddenly froze.

On the living room floor mat, Archer was sitting cross-legged in a tailored dress shirt, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his muscular forearms and a striking wooden bead bracelet.

He held a Lego brick in his hand, head bowed, entirely focused on assembling it.

Cindy was leaning against his leg, giggling endlessly, even bold enough to boss him around. "You're doing it wrong, Mr. Archer! This piece goes here."

The usually cold, distant man wasn't angry at all. Instead, he patiently moved the piece according to her instructions.

Virginia awkwardly averted her gaze, standing up and heading to the kitchen. "You guys keep playing. I'll cut some fruit."

She quickly grabbed a cantaloupe and dragon fruit from the fridge, chopped them up, and put them in two white porcelain bowls. She placed one in front of Cindy and the other on the coffee table with a small fork.

"Cindy, you have school tomorrow. Eat some fruit, then go take a shower with Mrs. Benson, okay?"

"I'm not sleepy yet." The little girl stole a glance at Archer, reluctant to let him leave.

"..."

Virginia couldn't win against her, and she didn't want to ruin the child's mood over adult issues. She simply stayed quiet, turned around, and sat in a single armchair, pulling out her phone to check her work messages.

The living room grew quiet, filled only with the sound of Cindy eating fruit and occasionally urging Archer to have some too.

It was unexpectedly warm and harmonious.