Miracle Cutie Chapter 7: Mom Wakes Up

Nina might've looked tiny, soft, and harmless—but the kid was shockingly strong.

With one dramatic toss, she sent Daniel's fairly new phone flying.

The inner screen cracked on impact.

The call cut off instantly.

Daniel stared at the shattered phone for a solid few seconds… then stared at Nina, even more stunned.

"Sweetheart… why did you throw my phone?" he asked, baffled. "I was still on that call. If you really had to throw it, at least wait till I'm done!"

He'd barely started scolding her when Nina—sitting on his lap—puffed out her cheeks, her lips trembling, big teary eyes filling up like she was about to sob her heart out.

"Hey—hey, no, don't cry! I'm sorry, okay? I won't scold you. Sweetheart, don't cry…"

Her forehead was wrapped in a bandage, her chubby cheeks scratched, her bright eyes watery. One look and Daniel felt his heart twist painfully.

She'd been hurt so badly already, and here he was complaining about a phone?

Some uncle he was.

This was Daniel's first time taking care of a kid. He had zero experience, but instinct screamed one thing: spoil this little girl rotten.

As he soothed her, Nina sniffled and finally spoke in her tiny, milky voice.

"Bad lady! Bad! Bully Un-coo Dan'el!"

She was tattling—saying the lady on the phone had been mean to him.

Daniel froze, then slowly realized she was actually worried about him.

"Sweetheart, that lady isn't really bad," he said softly. "She's just… quirky. She's actually a good person."

He tried to defend Zoe to Nina.

"So you threw my phone because you thought she bullied me?" His heart melted completely. "You're too sweet."

He leaned in and planted a big kiss on her soft, squishy cheek.

Nina immediately pushed at his face with both hands, like, No kissing! Shoo!

They tumbled around on the sofa for a bit, playing, until Daniel suddenly remembered he needed to call Zoe back.

There were plenty of other phones in his room… but with Nina glued to him like a tiny warden, he wasn't going to be making any calls.

"Okay, okay, I won't call," he surrendered, scooping her up. "Come on, let's look at some picture books."

William had bought a whole bunch of toddler books. Daniel sat with Nina on the floor, flipping through them, reading with exaggerated voices. Nina giggled and poked the pictures with her pudgy fingers.

Then, remembering the promise she'd made to William, she got up, steadying herself with determination, and toddled straight toward Benjamin's room.

“Daddy! Wake up!"

And before Daniel could stop her, she started patting Benjamin's face again.

Daniel nearly choked. "Sweetheart—no, no, don't hit him!"

He remembered his own childhood clearly—pointing a toy gun at Benjamin's forehead, making him admit that he was the better one.

Benjamin hadn't even blinked.

So little Daniel gave him a solid whack with the toy gun.

Benjamin's forehead turned red…

…and Daniel's butt matched it ten minutes later.

Thinking about those childhood beatings, Daniel felt a cold sweat drip down his spine.

Benjamin hated being touched. He barely tolerated kids. Yes, Nina was adorable—but with Benjamin? Adorable didn't matter.

For Nina's own safety, Daniel scooped her up immediately.

"Okay, sweetheart, you've already checked on him. Let's go play somewhere else before he wakes up and kills me."

He looked after her until night fell and William finally woke up.

Nina adored William. The second she saw him, she threw her arms out, insisting, "Grandpa! Hug!”

William smiled so hard his eyes wrinkled.

"Sweetheart, you're too cute."

He kissed her squishy cheek, utterly besotted.

Since Amelia was still asleep, dinner was just William, Daniel, and Nina.

"Dad," Daniel whispered, eyeing Nina's round tummy, "does she even look hungry to you?"

Before William could answer, the caregiver walked over.

“Mr. Graham, Nina ate a lot in her last meal. She hasn't digested it yet. She shouldn't eat again."

She'd already massaged Nina's little stomach. Nina had overstuffed herself earlier.

"All right then," William said. "No dinner for her."

But the moment he picked her up from the table, Nina clung to the edge with watery, devastated eyes.

"Nina want eat!"

She'd finally tasted real food… and milk just didn't cut it anymore.

"Be good," William coaxed gently. "You'll eat tomorrow."

He gave her some yogurt to help with digestion. The sweet-sour taste distracted her long enough for her to calm down.

For the next two days, Nina stayed home and rested.

After spending a full day and night at the Graham Residence, Amelia finally woke up the next morning.

The moment she opened her eyes, panic surged through her.

"Nina? Nina!"

Hearing her mom's voice, Nina came running, hugging her toy tight.

"Mommy!"

She flung herself into Amelia's arms. Amelia hugged her back, trembling.

"Nina, are you hurt? Let Mommy see."

She checked Nina head to toe. The wounds hadn't fully healed.

Seeing them, Amelia's eyes filled with tears.

"Nina, I'm sorry. Mommy didn't protect you…"

"Mommy, don't cry," Nina said, patting her with her little hand. "Nina fine! Grandpa buy toys! Un-coo Dan'el play with Nina!"

After holding her for a long moment, Amelia composed herself and carried Nina outside to see William.

She was terrified he would take Nina away.

But William immediately reassured her.

"You don't need to worry. I won't take her from you. It's hard caring for her alone—so stay here, both of you. I can help."

Amelia blinked in surprise, then nodded quickly.

"O-okay. I'll… I'll pay rent."

William smiled. "Amelia, you're family. You don't need to say things like that."

He was strict with others—but gentle with her.

After discussing Benjamin's condition, Amelia finally relaxed.

With Nina safe and settling well into the Graham household, Amelia returned to work.

She called her office—only to hear Leo roaring through the phone.

"Amelia, have you been dead these past few days? Do you even know your job? I gave you tasks—you should've been grateful! And then you disappear?"

"I—I was sick. I had a fever. I just woke up today—"

"Save it!" Leo snapped. "You're assigned to the Starlight Grand Award gala today. Address is sent. Get here now! A-listers will be there. Even Zoe—you know, the Zoe—will be attending. Put on your makeup, your gown, and move!"

“…Okay. I'll get ready."

After hanging up, Amelia hurried through her things.

Daniel happened to pass by and overheard her tone. It didn't sound like she was going to work—it sounded like she was heading into a firing squad.

His brows pulled together.

After Amelia left, he changed clothes and headed for the Starlight Grand Awards himself.

He knew the organizers. He didn't need an invitation.

But just as he was about to walk out—

A small voice piped up behind him.

"Un-coo Dan'el… Hug!"

Nina trotted over and wrapped her chubby arms around his leg, then plopped down right on his foot, her squishy little butt pinning him in place.

She was not letting him leave.