Chapter 0022 ALEXANDER I scowled as I stared at the back of the bottle , reading the dosage as Bailee turned on the bath in the adjoining bathroom " How much do I owe you ? " She asked , and 1 looked up to see her leaning against the door frame , staring at me stone - faced . For the medicine , how much was it ? " " You don't need to pay me back . " "Well , I don't want to owe you anything . " She snapped , and I lowered the bottle to my side . The little girl was sitting on the bed , playing with the unopened boxes , and I felt uneasy . I was unsure if she should be playing with them or if I should take them away . If I did , would she just start screaming again ? " You don't owe me . It's a gift . " I said , and she held her hand out , palm up , careful not to touch me when I placed the bottle in her hand Pushing off the door frame , Bailee grabbed the syringe from the box on the bed , opened the bottle , and filled it without needing to read the back like I had She knew exactly how much her child needed off the top of her head . I didn't even know how much of anything I would need . She was a good mother . Brinley took it eagerly , enjoying the sweet syrup . " You can leave . I've got it from here . I need to get her into the bath , and I don't feel comfortable with you being here for that . " She refused to look at me as she picked Brinley up and brought her to the bathroom Her words felt like a cold dagger slipping between my ribs . She felt uncomfortable with me being near when her child who couldn't be much older than two , was in the bath . I understood the need for privacy and would have waited in the living room or kitchen and given them that , but the way she said it her tone and the narrowing of her eyes … It made me feel like she thought I was some disease - ridden , sick fuck who would see it as something more than just a kid breaking their fever and that I shouldn't be in the same house as her . What kind of a man did she think I was ? Bailee must have seen the look on my face because her face softened , and she shook her head . I turned to leave . " Of course I just came to bring her the medicine anyway , and I have work to do . Fill give you two some privacy and talk to you later " Alex , it's just that " Bailee , " I said , cutting her off . " It's fine . You don't trust me around your child , and I can respect that you want to keep her safe . I hope you both have a good day . " I said , leaving the room quickly . The sooner I left , the sooner she could get her little girl in the bath to bring her fever down I shoved my hands into my pockets , the receipts crinkling under my fingers from the three stores I had stopped at to ensure ! got the flavor of medicine Brinley liked My eyes narrowed at the bags of take - out food I had set down on the floor in my rush to get inside and ensure Brinley was okay after I heard her screaming and crying from outside . So much for breakfast . 25 BONUS I would just have my assistant grab me something . It had been a long shot to think that Bailee might be willing to let me eat with them . I had wanted to talk a little more so we could get to know each other for the people we are today instead of for the immature , stupid kids we had been the last time we knew each other . Picking up the bag , I placed it on the kitchen counter before leaving and locking the door behind me . My driver had been waiting, eating the food I had gotten for him in the car while I was inside . I had come with low expectations for this morning and asked him to wait , but I didn't want him to be hungry , just sitting out here alone if she did welcome me for breakfast . I needed to take baby steps , but that didn't mean I wasn't going to have hope . If I could get her to open up to me , she might be willing to work with me to take down her ex " Mr. Kingston ! " My driver exclaimed , rushing out of the driver's side to open my door . " There is no need to rush , Mr. Mitchel . Please enjoy the rest of your meal , and then we will head to the office . " I said , grabbing the door handle myself and climbing into the car . " Yes , sir . " I heard him say before he walked back to climb in behind the wheel . He was an elderly man but an excellent driver . He used to be a bodyguard , but when he aged out of that , this was the path he turned down . No one wanted to hire him because of his age . They wanted someone with fast reflexes who was skilled in defensive driving If they had given him a chance , they would have realized he was . But their loss was my gain I scowled as I worked through my notifications . I saw a few messages from clients and investors about the arrest . My mugshot hadn't been released yet , and I wanted to keep it that way . My team had worked hard all night to keep it hidden . This had been the perfect way to prove to our clients that we could clean up any mess and that their lives could remain as private as they wanted . There were also a few hundred emails and several texts from my assistant . The longer I stared at the phone , the more popped up until finally he just called . Answering the phone I lifted it to my ear . " Yes ? " " Good Morning , Sir , " Nathan said , his voice shaky and panicked . It seemed this bad morning was just going to keep getting worse . " What time will you be in today ? " " Soon , " I said , irritated that he was questioning my actions but keeping that feeling to myself because I knew if he was asking , it was for a reason . He had earned my trust and respect over the past several years , so I would give it to him . " Is everything alright ? " " You have a visitor , sir . " Nathan's voice dropped , and I closed my eyes and took a deep breath . It could be anyone , but everyone I knew who had the nerve to show up without an appointment was always up to or wanted something . " Who is 117 " Caleb Johnson is here to see you . " Ashley Breanne