The Mysterious Billionaire and His Substitute Bride (Ethan and Janet)

Suddenly, Laney's voice sliced through the air, startling Garrett. His eyes narrowed, pupils constricting to pinpoints as his hand clenched the bedsheets, trembling ever so slightly. Beads of sweat formed on his palm, as his entire body quivered involuntarily.

Laney knew?

Was it possible that she knew what happened between him and Kailee the other night?

Had lan spilled the beans?

A chaotic whirlwind of thoughts raced through Garrett's mind. His gaze locked onto Laney's piercing eyes, lips quivering, but words refused to escape his throat.

"Garrett, why are you so quiet?"

Laney's confusion grew as she watched him be lost in his own thoughts.

Suddenly snapping back to reality, Garrett blurted out, "I wasn't being quiet! I've never kept anything from you!"

"Shh, keep your voice down," Laney hissed, covering Garrett's mouth. She glanced over at their peacefully slumbering child, relieved. "Thank goodness we didn't wake our baby girl."

Releasing her hand, Laney shook her head in disbelief. "Why are you so tense? Are you really trying to fire lan without my permission?"

Fired lan?

Garrett blinked, exhaling a hushed sigh of relief. "So, that's what Laney wanted to ask me," he thought.

Once he had relaxed, he took Laney's hand and tried to soothe her. "Don't worry, honey. I won't fire lan. You just focus on getting some rest. Once you're fully recovered, we'll leave this hospital and head home."

"Return home?" Laney's expression suddenly turned gloomy.

After a moment of silence, her voice cracked, "Which home are we returning to? The Hardings' home or our own?"

Laney knew Garrett's parents despised her, and she'd worked tirelessly to win their approval.

But, after her harrowing childbirth experience, nearly losing her life, and witnessing Garrett's parents' blatant disregard for her well-being, she'd given up all hope of winning their favor.

From then on, she vowed never to return to that cold, suffocating place again.

With determination in his eyes, Garrett tightened his grip on Laney's hand. "Rest assured, honey, we're going back to our own home."

"Will your parents agree to it?" Laney asked, her voice laced with doubt.

"I'll handle it. They won't bother you anymore. I promise."

Frustration had been building in Garrett, too; his parents' constant meddling in their lives had become unbearable. He'd resolved to sever ties with them once and for all, after the baby was born. Upon hearing his reassuring words, it brought calm to Laney's heart.

After exchanging sweet nothings, the two found solace in each other's embrace. Weakened, Laney soon drifted off to sleep once more.

Garrett gently tucked Laney in, ensuring she was comfortable, and then placed their baby in the crib before silently slipping out of the ward.

The second he stepped out of the room, he found Vera and Leo outside, waiting for him impatiently. Seeing Garrett out of the ward, they immediately approached him.

"Let us come in and see the baby," Leo demanded, his voice dripping with authority.

Garrett's eyebrows were knit together, his patience for his overbearing parents running thin.

He knew that they didn't care for Laney, but she was their daughter-in-law and had just given birth to the newest member of the Harding family. Still, they focused solely on the baby. Their cold indifference toward Laney's fragile state was glaringly obvious.

"Laney and the baby are both asleep right now. If you want to see the baby, you'll have to come back another time," Garrett replied, his voice tight with restraint.

As for when that next visit might be, he deliberately left it unsaid.

His perfunctory response lit the fuse on Leo's temper. "We're the baby's grandparents! Why is it so hard for us to see our own granddaughter?" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the hallway. Vera joined the fray, her voice equally indignant. "You drove Lola away without just cause, leaving us in the dark about the baby. Now you're denying us a simple glimpse of our grandchild? Your insolence grows by the day."

"Lola conspired to bring about Laney's premature delivery. She got exactly what she deserved," Garrett retorted, refusing to back down.

"And as for seeing the baby..." The look on his face grew even colder. "Laney brought her into this world through immense pain and sacrifice. You never once showed concern for her well-being. What gives you the right to see her baby?"

Leo's fury erupted like a volcano. "Garrett Harding!

Mind your tongue! How dare you speak to your parents like this?" he roared, face red with anger.

Garrett's lips curled into a cold, defiant smile. "This is where I stand. If you continue to harass us, I won't think twice about severing our relationship. I'll wash my hands of the Harding Group and go back to working with Brandon," he declared, standing his ground, immovable as a mountain.