Chapter 4 Becoming a Father for the First Time

• Vanessa was jolted back to reality by Hadden's words, "I'm back." She felt her stunning features harden into a mask of coldness.
• Hadden clearly saw the transformation in her expression—from astonishment to disbelief, and finally to an overwhelming wave of hatred.
• Five years ago, they had been victims of a cruel setup, forced into an intimate encounter. To protect the family's reputation, the Smiths pressured Hadden into marrying Vanessa. She, a woman who valued her chastity above all else, had resigned herself to this fate.
• But she never imagined that less than a month after their wedding, Hadden would vanish without a trace. Only later did her mom reveal that Hadden had taken 500 thousand dollars from her dad.
• Around the same time, Vanessa discovered she was pregnant.
• Then, while she was recovering from childbirth, the Smiths, exploiting her supposed shame, forcibly seized control of Trinity Group, the company Vanessa had built from the ground up.
• As she relived those countless nights spent weeping in secret, Vanessa's heart swelled with hatred for the man who had abandoned her without a word.
• "If you had died, I might've found a way to accept it. But instead, you disappeared for five years and now show up again, reopening my old wounds. Does this make you happy?"
• Vanessa's voice trembled with anguish as she unleashed years of pent-up emotions.
• Witnessing the woman he loved in such pain tore at Hadden's heart.
• "Vana, I'm sorry!"
• Hadden took a step forward, his face etched with sincerity. Apart from apologizing, he didn't know what else to say.
• "Why did you leave without a word five years ago?" Vanessa bit her lip, her gaze piercing Hadden's.
• "I wanted to make myself worthy of you!" Hadden responded firmly, looking at her breathtaking face. He had vowed before returning that he would never let Vanessa suffer again.
• "Hah!"
• Rebecca suddenly let out a mocking laugh, sneering at Hadden. "You make it sound so noble. Back then, you were the one who went to Andrew, saying you'd never see Vana again if he gave you 500 thousand dollars."
• Hadden immediately denied it. "That's not true!"
• A flash of coldness flickered in his eyes. Rebecca was clearly trying to frame him.
• Rebecca sneered again. "Not true? Then let me ask you; Five years ago, didn't Andrew give you the money?"
• Hadden explained, "I borrowed 500 thousand dollars from him, but I didn't use it. The next day, I returned it, every penny."
• "Bullsh*t! You took the money and disappeared. This is the first time I've seen you since then. When did you ever pay us back?" Andrew denied his claim on the spot.
• The couple worked in tandem, giving Hadden no chance to explain, determined to paint him as a scoundrel who had taken the money and run.
• Slap!
• Vanessa suddenly slapped Hadden, pointing toward the door with a trembling hand. Her voice was choked with emotion as she shouted, "Get out! Get out of here!"
• "Waah ... "
• Anya who had been clinging to Hadden began to cry loudly. "Mommy, don't make Daddy leave! All the other kids have daddies, but I don't. I want Daddy! Mommy, please don't make Daddy go! Don't make Daddy go!"
• She was sobbing uncontrollably, her small hands gripping Hadden's neck tightly as if letting go meant she would never see him again.
• Vanessa was caught off guard. She panicked and stopped berating Hadden. Vanessa quickly took her daughter into her arms, hugging her tightly while whispering, "I won't make Daddy go, I won't make him leave. Anya, don't cry."
• As she spoke, silent tears streamed down her face. No matter how much she hated Hadden, he was still the father of her child. For Anya's sake, she was willing to endure anything.
• "Daddy, Mommy promised me she won't make you leave. Now you have to promise me that you won't leave Mommy and me ever again, okay?" Anya cried as she looked up at Hadden with hopeful eyes.
• Their voices were quiet, but they struck Hadden like a bolt of lightning, making him tremble uncontrollably.
• The first moment he saw Anya at the airport, he noticed a resemblance between her and himself. She seemed to be about four years old, which meant … All the pieces fell into place—Anya was my daughter!
• Could it be that Anya was born on that night five years ago?
• With a ten-month pregnancy, and today being her fourth birthday, it added up almost perfectly. It had been nearly five years since he left.
• The more Hadden thought about it, the more shocked he became. He hurriedly stepped forward, looking at Vanessa's tearful face. His voice trembled as he asked, "Is she ... Is she our daughter?"
• Vanessa's face showed hesitation, but after a moment, she nodded. He was the child's father, and he had the right to know the truth.
• Even though Hadden had suspected it, hearing Vanessa confirm it left him overwhelmed with emotion.
• The invincible God of War, renowned for his stoicism, now wept openly, tears of remorse and regret streaming down his face.
• He gently scooped Anya into his arms and whispered in her ear, "I promise you, I'll never leave you and Mommy again."
• Though his voice was soft, it was filled with determination. As a man of war, he didn't make promises lightly. But when he did, it was for life.
• "Let go of my granddaughter!"
• Just as the heartwarming scene unfolded, Rebecca stormed over and snatched Anya from Hadden's arms.
• Afraid of hurting Anya, Hadden didn't resist.
• Anger surged within him, but the memory of Vanessa's childbirth and the years of hardship she endured, raising their daughter alone while facing gossip and shame, made him force down his rage.
• "Vana, I know you have a tender heart, but this time, your dad and I won't let you ruin your life again."
• Rebecca's face was contorted with anger as she gestured toward the table laden with gold and silver jewelry. "These are the gifts Bill brought as a betrothal offering. Andrew and I have accepted them on your behalf. Now, go finalize your divorce with this bastard, and then prepare to marry Bill."
• Even before the couple had broached the subject of divorce, Rebecca was already orchestrating Vanessa's remarriage.
• If it weren't for Vanessa and Anya, Hadden would have already lost his composure.
• "Waah ... "
• Anya's tears flowed anew. "Grandma, don't make Daddy leave! I want Daddy, don't make him go!"
• Though Anya was still young, she understood the implications of Rebecca's words, and her cries became even more desperate. Witnessing his daughter's distress, Hadden's heart ached. This was the first time he had truly experienced the depth of a father's love.
• Rebecca's face twisted in annoyance as she coldly scolded, "Anya Smith, stop crying! Your dad is dead. This man is not your dad! If you keep crying, I'll lock you in the dark room."
• Anya's little body trembled, and she immediately stifled her sobs, trying not to cry out loud. But she couldn't stop the tears from flowing as she looked at Vanessa, then at Hadden, her expression a mix of fear and vulnerability.
• Seeing Anya so terrified, Hadden realized Rebecca must have locked her in the dark room before.
• His anger ignited in an instant. The temperature in the room seemed to plummet as his fury grew.