A Night of Desire

Yvette Zimmerman understood his meaning. He had called Autumn, but she hadn’t picked up, so he didn’t dare just bring the baby back to stay, afraid he would make Autumn angry.

But she didn’t take the bait. Instead, she just asked about the baby. "Is the baby not feeling well? What’s wrong? Is he having trouble adjusting?"

A flicker of disappointment crossed Sierra Sutton’s eyes, but it vanished in an instant. He glanced at the baby and replied, "I think so, but he’s all right now."

"Oh, that’s good, that’s good." Yvette Zimmerman’s gaze never left the baby, her eyes filled with adoration.

Seeing that she didn’t say anything more or invite them in, Sierra Sutton hesitated for a moment before asking, "What about Autumn? Is she not home?"

As if suddenly remembering, Yvette Zimmerman hurriedly tried to hand the baby back to him. "Oh, right, Autumn’s not here. You... you should take the baby and go back to your hotel. I’ll tell her when she gets back, and she can come find you then."

She spoke while pushing Sierra Sutton and the baby toward the door. In the past, Autumn would get angry whenever she so much as mentioned Sierra Sutton and the baby. ’If she sees that they’ve returned, it’ll be even worse!’

"Where did she go? I can wait for her here." Sierra Sutton knew she was lying. He had seen her glance upstairs earlier, so he knew Autumn was home.

He didn’t want to be shameless and overstay his welcome, but Autumn was his child’s mother. He had to see her.

"Ma’am, I know Autumn is home. Please just let me see her. When she left the U.S.A, she said she’d be back soon. The baby and I have been waiting for so long, but she never returned..."

"She must have her reasons for not going back. Sierra, just go back to the hotel for now. I’ll talk to Autumn, and she’ll come find you."

The words had barely left Yvette Zimmerman’s mouth when a surprised voice called out from behind her, "Sierra Sutton?!"

Sierra Sutton looked up. Yvette Zimmerman turned around. There, standing on the staircase, was Autumn Shelby.

"Autumn..."

"Autumn..."

The two spoke at the same time. But Autumn Shelby dashed down the stairs and stormed up to Sierra Sutton, her expression furious. "Sierra Sutton! Who said you could come back to the country? Why are you here without my permission?"

Then, as if she remembered something else, her expression grew tense. "It’s one thing to come back, but why did you come here, to the house? Did anyone follow you? What if that... person saw you?"

Sierra Sutton stared at her, silent. The baby in his arms saw Autumn Shelby and flashed a toothy grin, reaching his little hands out toward her and babbling, "Mama," wanting her to hold him.

But Autumn Shelby just frowned at the baby for a moment before looking away. "And on top of that, you brought *him* here."

When his enthusiasm wasn’t met, the baby’s lip trembled. With a hurt expression, he laid his little face on Sierra Sutton’s shoulder, peeking sideways at Autumn Shelby and murmuring, "Dada."

Yvette Zimmerman’s heart ached seeing the baby’s reaction. ’No matter what, the child is the most innocent one in all of this.’

She couldn’t help but say softly, "Autumn, you’re scaring the baby."

Autumn Shelby glanced at the baby in Sierra Sutton’s arms, pursing her lips without a word.

Sierra Sutton reached out and gently patted the little one resting on his shoulder, soothing him. He then looked at Autumn Shelby and said, "Don’t worry, no one followed me. Besides, anyone who knows me knows I used to live here. What’s so strange about me coming back?"