Pregnant And Abandoned: The Billionaire's Second Chance At Love

desire to meet his niece, knowing she was a living reminder of that betrayal. But now, seeing her in p

his mind. As strange as it felt, he saw himself in Hope. B

le girl, her uncle was a complete stranger. She had seen the initial coldness in his gaze just minutes ago.

rified by this stranger's presence. "I want to go with you, Ava. Take me to y

a row of empty chairs near the middle of the hall. He had no desire to

tives to his assistant, a movement caught his eye. He looked

er her shoulders. She was leaning in close to his niece and the other girl

familiar about her face, thou

to the woman, then turn to

struck by the obvious bond

oaching until she took the seat beside him. Across the room, the woman and

pect you'll finally take charge of t

g out a heavy exhale. "This

r sniffed. "Now that I'll be taking care of Ho

sdain toward the woman com

at the old woman. She just couldn'

Ryan

eaven knows what kind of lifestyle she leads. That child is a terrible influence. Besides..." Rose ges

stantly clicked into place. This was V

understated black designer dress that was perfectly tailored to her elegant figure. Her

in. Unable to place it, Ryan shook his head an

h Vanessa. She scowled, tapping her cane sharpl

man's glare evenly, co

use. You and your daughter are n

ands curled

a fight. Your granddaughter needs my daugh

here Ava was currently wrapping

nts and was seeking refuge with her friend, while her own great-grandmother cared only about throwing

er nose wrinkli

ind." Stepping forward, she grabbed little Ava by the

he lunged forward, seizing the old woman's w

er voice dropping to a dangerous register. "Old w

ng sight of the altercation and hearing the girl

demanded, his deep voice c

her gaze locking with the cold-eyed man who had just spoken

g green eyes. The sheer fire in her gaze s

Ryan!" Rose cried out in a feigned s

snapped Ryan out of his daze. He glanced d

daughter first," Vanessa shot

a funeral. I expect some decorum. Besides

She had no idea where this man fit into the Knight family tree, but she

exact same d

Ryan Knight

, another

about her deeply," she stated firmly,

ndship," Rose snapped. She raised a hand, signaling

woman's gesture. "That won't be necessary. I'll

med his years away from the family

you,

d Vanessa's arm. She instan

hed, her chest rising and

leave by yourself," he

er arm out of his grasp, meeting his stare head-on. "I shudder to think how m

er your voice, I will ha

ps, her chin tipped in defiance. "Even I can see how badly you're neglecting that little gir

it's okay. Shh, don't cry," she soothed, her tone instantly softening. She kne

tle kiss to the c

en them, forcibly ripping Hope away from Vanessa. The old woman ja

seized Vanessa's arm again. Gathering little Ava, he

y, cursing under her breath as s

hed the exterior doors. "I don't give a damn how you treat me, but did you even look at your

her eyes. It hit him then-this woman more about his n

ook exactly like Pai

had zoned out for a fraction of a second, and she used the opportunity to s

her's wrath, but think what you want," he retorte

t out a ha

d anything from you, least of all your protect

at her hand, then back up to her eyes. She was stunningly beautiful and had a lot of s

t warmth before. But that was impossible. He had never met a woman as fie

tingle shoot up her arm. She im

assure you, my grandmother

sa sc

bing Ava's hand, she turned on her heel and

ked away. A faint, unbidden smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he t

*

s grandmother sat in the mansion's main

gan listing the dist

, Ryan, take full control of the family busin

snapped, running a hand th

instructed the lawyer. The

hould we both pass away, legal guardianship of our d

ot to h

run a massive corporation. I'm a busy man!" He paced the floor, his jaw clenched t

You can simply hire a nanny to handle the day

ath, fixing his grandmot

ler just to send the girl to

*

ding s

ro

inst the heavy oak door. She trembled violently at her uncle's

want to leave Ava," she whimpered. "

away from the study, she turned and sprinted up the stairs to her be

scooped up all her saved allowance. Creeping down the back stairs, she made sure none of the estate staff saw her as she slipped out through

old herself, wiping her eyes.

yellow cab at the corner, she waved it down. When the driver rolled down the window and aske

the door and drove her

nsion, the argument i

man. I can't manage the family business and rai

ing her," Ryan shot back. "I have my own company and

cried out, bursting through th

hat? Why are you

face pale. "It's little Hope, ma