The Wife You Buried Is Back from Hell novel Chapter 812

Facing Alexander’s probing gaze, Danielle took a deep breath, keeping her voice as steady as possible. “I’ve only just met River. We’re colleagues on the same project team. We’re just having dinner to get familiar with the area. It’s far too soon to talk about whether he’s ‘good to me’ or not. You’re overthinking this.”

Alexander’s eyes fell to Niki. He gently stroked his daughter’s hair, his voice softening. “That’s not what I meant. I just hope that you can find someone who will truly cherish you, so you won’t have to suffer like you did before.”

A wave of bitterness washed over Danielle. She looked away, focusing on the warm lights of the restaurant to avoid his intense gaze. “I can handle my own affairs.”

Alexander didn’t press the issue. He glanced at his watch and said coolly, “You should go back inside. Don’t keep Mr. Atwood waiting.”

“I’ll wait for you in the car. We can discuss business after you’re done. It won’t take long.”

His words were not a command, but they held an undeniable certainty. Without another look, he turned and walked toward a black sedan parked nearby. The hem of his trench coat fluttered in the evening breeze, his silhouette looking strikingly lonely against the night.

Danielle watched him disappear into the car before taking Niki’s hand and returning to the restaurant.

River was still at the table, his steak untouched. He smiled and waved as they approached. “Welcome back! Was that your father?” he asked Niki.

Niki nodded enthusiastically, climbing back into her booster seat. “Yes! Daddy bought me ice cream!”

Danielle sat down across from him, picking up her knife and fork, but her appetite was gone. She cut a small, token piece of steak.

River, sensing her preoccupation, wisely steered the conversation away from Niki’s father and back to work. “I finished organizing the algorithm data from this afternoon’s test. I’ll show you tomorrow. I think it should solve the sensor latency issue.”

She avoided his gaze, staring out the window at the passing city lights, her thoughts a tangled mess.

The car soon pulled up in front of her apartment building. Danielle got out, carrying a drowsy Niki in her arms. She thanked River again and watched his car disappear into the night before turning toward the entrance.

But she stopped dead in her tracks after only two steps.

Alexander’s black sedan was parked under a streetlight. The car door was open, and he was standing beside it, his gaze fixed intently on her.

Looking at his familiar face, she felt a strange sense of déjà vu. She remembered how, in the early days of their marriage, he used to wait for her just like this, holding a bag with her favorite late-night snack, his eyes full of tenderness.