The Billionaire And His Son Want Me Back (Paisley)

The room fell into an awkward silence.

Maria couldn't hold it in anymore and burst out laughing. She shot Paisley a teasing look. "So that's why she looks like such a mess-from sleeping on the couch. And the way she was talking... Someone might think she spent the night..."

She trailed off, not wanting to say "sleeping with a man" in front of Serena and the kid.

Marissa had been trying to create some suggestive ambiguity in front of Paisley, but Grayson had shut that down right after she said that.

Her lips pressed into a thin line, her face burning with embarrassment. But if there was one thing about Marissa, it was her incredible resilience.

She bounced back quickly, taking Grayson's hand affectionately. "Your dad had a bit too much to drink last night. I stayed just in case he needed anything."

Paisley raised an eyebrow, doubting whether Marissa really needed to take care of Dominick at all.

Paisley had already given him hangover pills last night-enough to keep him sound asleep until morning, no special attention needed. But she kept that little detail to herself, not wanting to stir up trouble.

"Ms. Sutton." Marissa switched tactics, her gaze settling on Serena. "You must really love your daughter, carrying her everywhere you go."

Paisley didn't like the way Marissa was eyeing Serena-like a snake sizing up its prey.

"Of course I love her. She's my daughter." Paisley tightened her hold on Serena protectively.

She knew she probably spoiled Serena too much, but there were reasons behind it-reasons she couldn't bear to think about. The memories were still too raw, too painful.

Grayson stared at Paisley, his thin lips pressed together just like Dominick's. 'She loves her daughter...but what about me? Does she really not care about me at all anymore?' he thought. Tears started welling up in his eyes as the hurt settled in.

Marissa, oblivious to Grayson's inner turmoil, pulled him closer to her side. "Actually, even children make comparisons. They like to be close to those they like. I like Grayson, and Grayson likes me too, right?" She crouched down, wrapping her arms around him with exaggerated affection. Her eyes were practically begging him to repeat those words from before, to ask her to be his mom right in front of Paisley. But Grayson just stood there, lips pressed tight, staring at Paisley with tears threatening to spill. He looked like he was about to lose it.

"Right." Paisley's cool voice cut through the tension. "Must be nice, getting a ready-made kid without doing any of the work."

Marissa's heart dropped as she looked up to find Paisley watching her with barely concealed mockery. As the elevator doors started to open, Paisley added casually, "Boys, girls, it doesn't really matter in the end. As long as they don't stab you in the back."

Just as Paisley finished speaking, the elevator doors slid open. She stepped in with Serena in her arms and Maria following close behind.

As the doors closed, Paisley seemed to hear Grayson's heart-wrenching sobs echoing down the hall. Dominick, who'd just wrapped up some work, walked out at the sound of Grayson crying. "What's going on? Why's Grayson crying?"

Marissa hugged the crying boy close, gently wiping his tears. "We just ran into Ms. Sutton with her daughter heading out. I brought Grayson over to say hi. Even though he's closer to me, I always hoped they could build a better relationship. She is his birth mother, after all.

"But instead," Marissa let out a heavy sigh, holding Grayson tighter as his sobs grew harder, "she just started calling him ungrateful and going on about how her daughter's the only one she cares about." She shook her head in disbelief. "They're both her children. How can she be so cold?"

Sure enough, Dominick's expression darkened at Marissa's words. 'Paisley, so only the daughter you had with another man counts as your child? What about the son you had with me? Am I supposed to believe he doesn't matter to you anymore?'

Dominick turned to Grayson, his voice gentle but firm. "Hey buddy, no more tears, okay? Let's not waste another thought on that woman."