Love Contract

Chapter 182 Daddy Lan ( Part One)

"You are the mother of my children, and I will get you back!"

William announced in his usual authoritative manner. Stunned, Mary and Victor stared at him.

Listening to William's words, Victor remembered a scene from four years ago. William had visited his apartment, looking both miserable and angry. He confessed he had fallen deeply in love with Mary. He also begged for Mary's whereabouts. This memory had almost slipped from Victor's mind. But now, seeing William look at Mary with his tender eyes, the memory resurfaced.

'What about Frank Liang?' Victor had wondered then. And even today, he had the same question.

"How many times should I tell you?" After recovering from the shock, Mary said coldly, "I have cut all ties with you. It is better if you stop trying to get near me. I have moved on and I don't wish to go through that pain all over again! If you have a bit of humanity left in you, could you do that for me?"

"Mary..." A look of regret appeared in William's eyes. "Every year, I went to Z City, to visit your mother's graveyard. I thought perhaps I would be lucky to come face to face with you. Unfortunately, it never happened." "What were you doing there?" Mary sneered. "Were you there to atone for your sins?" she asked, her tone tinged with mockery.

"Mary, I'm sorry." Lowering his head, William pleaded, "Please give me another chance. I will make it up to you this time, I promise."

"What brought you here, Mr. Lan?"

While they were talking, Director Jamie suddenly appeared. Realizing William was looking at Mary, he asked suspiciously, "Do you and Vivian happen to know each other?"

"Yes, I do," said William.

"No, I don't!" said Mary at the same time.

"Well..." Director Jamie smiled awkwardly. His eyes flitted from William to Mary then back again. "Mr. Lan, what can I do for you today?" he asked, hoping to dispel the awkwardness.

"Nothing. I just came here to have a look." As he spoke, his unblinking gaze remained on Mary. An air of mystery surrounded him.

"Director Jamie," said Mary indifferently, "I have to head back to work. You can continue conversing with Mr. Lan."

"Don't leave, Mary." he almost begged, and grabbed her hand.

"William Lan." Seeing this, Victor frowned and clasped William's hand. "You are crossing the limits!"

"Am I? You think I am the one crossing limits?" William asked, anger settling in his blood at Victor's intrusion. Without giving him a chance to speak, William went on, "Let me make it clear, if anyone has crossed the line then it is you! You have been using acting as an excuse to get close to her! Do you take me for a fool? I know everything!"

"What nonsense are you blabbering? You have no right to speak to my friend in this tone!" Mary spoke in Victor's favor. William was creating a scene and she couldn't stand it.

"No, Mary. I'm not speaking nonsense." As William addressed Mary, his tone softened. "Can you stop filming from now on? Every time you act, you are being intimate with Victor. Just now, the two of you even..."

"Even what?" Mary said, in absolute horror, "Perhaps you think the whole world is like you. I hate to burst your bubble but the entire world isn't filthy like you!"

Her response left him devastated. He thought of her kick from yesterday and instantly apologized, "Mary, for what happened yesterday, I apologize to you solemnly. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that. Please forgive me, okay?"

At the mention of what happened yesterday, Mary's fury magnified. She grabbed a coat from the chair nearby and threw it at William. Without saying anything, she sprinted out of that place. "Mary! Please stop!" he called out.

"Mr. Lan!" Director Jamie hurriedly grabbed William's arm and asked, "May I know what is your relationship with Vivian?"

"The relationship that you've just witnessed," William said with a bitter smile. Suddenly an idea popped into his mind. Turning to Director Jamie, he said "Director Jamie, don't allow Mary Lu to act in the future, especially if there is an intimate scene."

"Mary Lu? You mean Vivian?" Director Jamie rubbed his nose. Apologetically, he explained, "I wish I could do that. But she is the scriptwriter and director. She can do things without my permission."

"Scriptwriter and director?" William repeated, unable to hide his shock. Director Jamie nodded his head.

They hadn't seen each other for four years. And during this period, a lot had happened to Mary. Unlike him, she wasn't miserable. If anything, she had become more charming and capable. As a result, she was surrounded by men. He felt a pang of envy and clenched his fists.

"In that case, inform me if anything of that sort happens! That is, if she behaves intimately with any man on the filming set, call me immediately! " William ordered.

"Yes, sure!" Director Jamie decided to make use of this opportunity. "For my new movie, I need an actress from AJ Group. Could you do that and return my favor?"

"Of course, that won't be a problem."

In the next few days, William visited the hospital every single day. He would be there early in the morning and couldn't be driven away. He would gaze at Mary, his eyes brimming with grievance. Often he would bring small gifts for Mary and the kids.

He deeply cared for Alick and Elissa. He ardently wished to spoil them and make up for those lost years.

Mary noticed that Elissa was growing deeply attached to him. 'What if my silly daughter ends up getting used to his fatherly warmth and gifts?' she couldn't help but wonder.

"Mommy, what are you thinking about?" Elissa asked, noticing the anxious expression on her mother's face. At present, she was sitting on William's lap. On receiving no reply, she went on, "Mommy, you are worried about my brother, aren't you?"

"Huh?" Suddenly, Mary jolted out of her reverie. "Yes, of course, I was thinking about your brother," she lied.

Today, stitches had been removed from Alick's wound. They were waiting outside the operating room. Elissa was extremely worried about her brother. "Darling, please don't fret over it. Everything will be fine," William said in a soothing tone as he caressed Elissa's hair.

But Mary pretended like she hadn't heard anything.

"Elissa," said Mary, stretching out her arms, "Uncle must be tired. Shall Mommy hold you now?"

"No!" Elissa refused and clung to William. Wrapping her hands around William's neck, she confessed, "I love it when Uncle cradles me."

As soon as she finished speaking, a big smile appeared on William's face. "Same here. I too love holding my Elissa."

"Heehee." Giggling, Elissa gave him a kiss on his cheek. "Uncle's hugs are the warmest!"

"Aren't the hugs from Daddy Barry and Daddy Lucas warm enough?" Mary said, glaring at both of them.

"Their hugs are just okay. Uncle's hug is No.1!" As if she hadn't said enough, she screamed, "The best! Do you hear it, Mommy? The best!"

At Elissa's confession, the smile on William's face deepened. On the other hand, Mary began to frown. 'She loves him even though she has no idea he is her father!' Mary thought, her anxiety starting to grow.

"Uncle, you should come to see Elissa every day. "Sure, I will."

"Uncle, what's your name?" Elissa asked, realizing she didn't know his name yet.

Smiling, he answered, "My name... my name is William Lan."

"William Lan... Does Lan mean blue?" Elissa asked seriously, wriggling her fingers.

"Yes, it means blue."

"Mommy," Elissa looked at her mother and asked, "can I have one more Daddy? I like Uncle Lan. Can I call him Daddy?"

William's eyes widened in disbelief. A whirlwind of emotions swept through his heart; happiness, shock, and excitement. "Elissa...." Mary faltered. This question had caught her off-guard.

Gathering her wits, she said, "No, you can't call him that!" What she had feared had happened. In an admonishing tone, she went on, "Elissa Lu, it is wrong to go around calling random people Daddy. Uncle is and will always be your uncle. You can't-"

"I don't care. I will call him Daddy," Elissa said, breaking her mother off. "Daddy Lan! Daddy Lan! " she called, turning to William.

William gazed at his daughter, choking with sobs. He had never felt so happy in his life. Nodding his head, he said, "Good girl, Elissa."

"You..." Mary clenched her fists, about to say something. Just then, the door of the operating room opened.

Lucas came out with Alick in his arms. They both were chatting and laughing.

"How did it go?" Mary asked, walking towards them.

"He is all right now." Lucas touched Alick's face and said, "He's recovering well, but his wound needs a lot of attention in the next few days. I'll bring him back to the hospital for a reexamination later."

"Thank you, Daddy Lucas."

"Good boy!" Lucas took the opportunity to hug Alick again.

Mary smiled and felt relieved. Once Alick was done thanking Lucas, Mary opened her arms and he threw himself into Mary's arms.

"Mommy, it has been a while since Daddy Barry showed up. Where is he?" asked Alick, looking around.

"Daddy Barry has a lot of work. But you spoke to him on the phone yesterday, didn't you? He said he would be back tonight. But don't stay up waiting for him. The doctor said you need rest," Mary said and tousled his hair. "But I miss him so much, Mommy!" he cried out. "Who is it that Alick is missing?"

From the corridor, a man's voice came.

"Daddy Barry!" Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Alick was the first one to react. Freeing himself out of Mary's arms, he ran toward Barry, a bright smile on his handsome face.

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