Miracle Cutie Chapter 13: Two Enemies

"Nina no seep!"

Nina was in one of her playful moods—one of those nights when getting her to sleep felt like trying to chase a butterfly in a hurricane.

Luckily, Amelia knew her daughter's ultimate weakness.

"Sweetheart, lie down," she murmured gently.

The moment Nina's head touched the pillow, Amelia started singing the alphabet song—soft, melodic, perfectly in tune.

Her voice was so beautiful she could've recorded it and sold lullabies for a living.

But for Nina… it was like instant anesthesia.

By the time Amelia reached "B," Nina's eyelids were already drooping.

"Nooo, Mommy! No sing!"

Nina flailed her pudgy hands, trying to cover her mother's mouth.

But before her tiny hands even made it close, she toppled sideways—plop—straight onto the pillow.

Out like a light.

Amelia looked down at the sleepy little lump on the bed, her eyes warm and amused.

"Goodnight, sweetheart," she whispered, giving that soft cheek one last kiss before curling up beside her.

The next morning, Amelia had work. She'd been out of the industry for a while and money was tight.

Now she finally had two promising gigs—she couldn't afford to miss either.

Nina watched her mom get ready with reluctant eyes, but she didn't cry.

She didn't want Mommy to worry.

As soon as Amelia stepped out, Nina toddled over and wrapped her arms around Daniel's legs like a clingy little koala.

"Un-coo Dan'el, play! Play!"

Yesterday she'd gone out with him, and today she had fully decided he was taking her out again.

Daniel hesitated.

Then William looked up from his newspaper and said, "You're not doing anything today anyway. Since Nina likes you, you're in charge."

If William weren't stuck at work, he would've taken Nina himself.

Daniel knew that, so he obediently slung the blue mommy-bag—carefully packed by the caregiver—over his shoulder, scooped up the chubby girl, and headed out.

"Un-coo Dan'el, where go?"

Nina had no idea where she wanted to go—she just wanted out.

Daniel thought for a beat.

"It's hot," he said lightly. "Let's cool off indoors. Sweetheart, how about we play in a building today?"

Of course, the "building" in question was Zoe's office building, where she had a commercial shoot scheduled.

Daniel had barely gotten a chance to talk to Zoe lately—Nina had monopolized him.

Today, he wanted an opening to win her over again.

He'd even picked out a high-end necklace for her.

Nina had no clue. She happily bounced along.

"Sweetheart, I'll take lots and lots of pictures of you later," Daniel crooned.

They strode into the sixth floor looking like a pair out of a magazine.

They were even wearing matching outfits.

Benjamin still hadn't woken up—so Daniel boldly dressed in a father-daughter style with Nina.

He wore sunglasses, while Nina… did not—because the little one was just too curious.

She grabbed her own small sunglasses with her tiny fingers—

and within sixty seconds, snap.

Two pieces.

"Un-coo Dan'el, down down!"

She wriggled fiercely.

She wanted to walk on her own.

Daniel set her down and let her toddle ahead while he followed behind.

They were halfway down the hall when Nina froze.

Her eyes widened.

Then narrowed.

Then widened again.

She stomped her little feet.

Because standing right there… was Zoe.

Daniel also froze.

And instantly looked away like a man caught red-handed.

Nina might've been small, but she wasn't stupid.

Seeing Zoe here told her everything.

Un-coo Dan'el wasn't here to play.

He was here… for her.

Nina puffed up with toddler fury, ready to declare war.

"Sweetheart, I can explain," Daniel whispered frantically. "This is an accident. Destiny. Fate. A divine sign—"

But Nina was DONE with him.

She stomped off toward Zoe.

Zoe's eyes flashed with irritation.

This girl might be adorable, sure—but she had hit her before.

And because of that girl, Daniel had humiliated Zoe for the first time in his life.

Her jaw tightened.

Her filming partner, standing beside her, noticed.

"What's wrong, Zoe? You know that kid?"

"Yes," she said flatly. "She's the one who hit me a few days ago."

“What? That kid did that? Zoe, wait—I'll handle this for you!"

"Alistair, no—don't!"

Zoe grabbed him, stopping him from marching over.

Nina didn't understand the words—but she heard the man's name.

Alistair.

Her little brain snapped the memory into place.

She remembered him.

When Zoe almost destroyed Daniel, she'd brought up Alistair.

Zoe hated Daniel for tearing her away from him.

Daniel said Alistair wasn't a good person—that he'd betray her.

But Zoe refused to believe him.

Not then.

Not now.

And Nina, hearing that name again, puffed up like an angry dumpling.

Because she knew one thing:

Anyone Mommy or Un-coo Dan'el didn't like… Nina didn't like either.