Araceli POV
Raphael propped his hand on the railing and didn't look at me. "What's the deal?"
"Mr. Lancaster, you have a daughter, don't you? You don't want anyone else to know about it, which is why you asked me to keep it a secret. At the same time, I also want you to keep my secret for me. I don't want other people to interfere with my life and my daughter's. You can understand me, right? I mean, you're also a father."
Raphael frowned and didn't answer me.
After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Okay. Can I make a condition, though?"
I froze for a second and said, "Mr. Lancaster, please feel free to say it."
He said, "If I need your help, you can't refuse. Of course, you can come to me for help if you need anything."
I thought for a moment, then nodded my head.
I didn't feel there was anything I could do to help him, but I knew I couldn't refuse him. His methods were more vicious than mine, and if I went against him, even if I knew he had a daughter, I would definitely lose out.
I raised my glass and said, "OK. Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Lancaster."
I took a sip of my wine. Raphael suddenly turned his head, looked at me, and slowly asked me, "Ms. Chancey, I don't mean to gossip, but is it true that you gave birth to twins five years ago?"
I looked into his clear eyes and knew he really wanted to know the truth.
He was probably wondering why I had a daughter.
I frowned slightly and suddenly felt my heart hurt.
Two babies covered in blood suddenly appeared before my eyes...
I took a deep breath. "Mr. Lancaster, I don't think you're the type of person to believe these rumors. Excuse me, I'm going to talk about something with my grandma."
I hurried left and went into the hall.
...
After I chatted with a close friend of my mother for a while, I turned around and saw Krish hiding behind the curtain. I saw his flustered look and thought something was wrong.
He took something out of his pocket and pressed it on a wine glass.
He was just about to put it in his pocket when I called out his name.
"Krish, what are you doing here?"
I squinted slightly.
He took a deep breath, put his hands behind him, looked up and smiled at me, "Mommy, I came out to get some cake. Valeria likes cupcakes best."
I rubbed his head. "Come on, let's go get some together."
I took Krish by hand, got two cupcakes in a tray, and headed upstairs to the lounge.
Suddenly, a noise came.
I heard many bouncers running towards the backyard. Many people were saying that a little girl had fallen down.
A little girl?
I had a bad feeling coming from inside, so I hurriedly put down the tray and headed upstairs.
Veronica was talking anxiously to a bouncer. When she saw me coming up, she immediately took my hand.
"Araceli, Valeria just ran out of here! It's all my fault. She ran so fast, and I couldn't stop her..."
I patted Veronica's back and told her not to worry, turned around and headed for the backyard with Krish.
I was so anxious that I almost wanted to scream.
I hurried to the backyard and saw Essel holding Valeria, sitting on the ground.
Valeria was covered in mud, and her hair was a mess.
I screamed inwardly.
Many of the guests came into the backyard. They looked at me and discussed, "Are those two girls Araceli's daughters? They look so much like her! I've never seen two girls that beautiful and cute."
I didn't have time to think and immediately ran over to them.
Essel was clinging to Valeria, and her hands were clasped behind Valeria's head, as if someone had tried to hurt them.
I was furious.
Raphael picked up Valeria and turned to leave.
I immediately stopped him and carried my daughter to me.
"Raphael, where do you want to take my daughter?"
My voice was shaking, but I was trying to stay as calm as I could. I blinked, and tears instantly fell out of my eyes. I didn't even realize it.
Raphael frowned and stared into my eyes without saying a word.
Essel pulled on my dress and said, "Ms. Chancey, we just want to take this little girl to the hospital."
I took a deep breath and looked into Essel's eyes. She had beautiful eyes, just like Valeria's.
I froze for a moment, but quickly snapped back to my senses.
I frowned slightly and said coldly, "Thank you, Essel. I just saw you protecting my daughter. I'm grateful. As for you, Raphael, don't think I don't know what you're trying to do."
I didn't want to talk and turned my head to leave.
I knew I was overreacting, but I was still suspicious of Raphael's motives for carrying my daughter away.
Essel didn't let go. Her sweet voice came from behind me.
"Ms. Chancey, is this little girl your daughter? May I ask what her name is?"
I turned my head, smiled gently, and said, "Of course. Essel, her name is Valeria Chancey."
Essel continued, "Valeria... Ms. Chancey, can I come and play with Valeria more often? I will protect her and not let anyone hurt her anymore. I really like to spend time with her."
I looked down at Valeria. "Essel, you can ask Valeria if she wants to. I can't make the decision for her."
Essel took Valeria's hand and said softly, "Valeria, can I come and play with you in the future? My name is Essel Lancaster. Can we be friends?"
Valeria turned her head and looked at Essel, but then she turned her head again and stared at Raphael.
I frowned slightly.
Then, something even more shocking happened to me.
Valeria opened her arms and said to Raphael, "Daddy, hug."
Raphael looked a little shocked and puzzled.
I decided to take Valeria away first, so I turned around, and said to Essel, "Essel, we'll talk about this another time, okay? I have to take Valeria to get her wound treated."