Miracle Cutie Chapter 8: Daniel's Fear

"Nina, sweetheart, I need to step out for a bit. Will you stay home and play with Grandpa?"

Daniel bent down, coaxing her with all the patience he had.

"I'll bring you snacks when I get back, okay?"

"No—"

Nina shook her little head with fierce determination.

She wrapped both arms around his leg and smashed her soft, chubby cheek against him like she was gluing herself there.

"Take Nina! Nina go too!"

Nina loved going out. She'd been at William's house for two whole days and was starting to feel caged in. Sure, the place was huge and full of toys and play areas he'd built just for her… but she didn't see any other kids. And no kids meant: boring.

But it wasn't just that.

She was worried about Daniel, too.

Her little toddler radar was locked on him.

"Sweetheart, I'm going to a party," he tried again gently. "It's not fun. Really. You're a good girl, right?"

"No no."

Nina looked up, face serious. "Nina no good!"

Daniel froze.

Of all the things she could've said, that was the last thing he expected.

This stubborn, clingy little lump of sweetness… what was he supposed to do with her?

They stood there for a long moment—Daniel trying to leave, Nina firmly planting her little butt in front of him like a barricade.

Finally, Daniel sighed, long and defeated.

"Fine." He rubbed his temples. “Fine. I'll take you. We'll go get some fresh air."

Earlier in the afternoon, the doctor had checked Nina. She was recovering well.

So Daniel scooped her up.

"Sweetheart, the place we're going has lots of people. If you get scared, tell me and I'll bring you home, okay? And when you see Mom, don't look for her—she's working."

He explained everything first. Nina nodded with big, obedient eyes—looking for all the world like she was totally reasonable.

When William heard Daniel was taking Nina out, he hesitated. He was still worried about her health.

But Nina leaned over and planted several wet toddler kisses on his cheeks, then tugged at him with that soft, milky voice begging for permission.

William melted instantly.

"All right, all right. Take our sweetheart for a spin."

He tapped Nina's chubby hand. "Sweetheart, make sure Daniel holds you the whole time. Don't wander off."

Then to Daniel, "And feed her. Don't stay out too late."

He fussed and fussed, then finally let them go.

Daniel got into the car with Nina. At first, she sat on his lap playing with a little toy she'd brought. But the novelty lasted less than five minutes.

Soon she tossed the toy aside and started poking around the window.

Daniel had never taken her out in a car before. He had no idea what toddler chaos looked like in a luxury vehicle.

So he let her poke.

Nina had only ever ridden in taxis. A fancy car like this? New world unlocked.

She pressed buttons… touched seams… tapped glass…

Then her tiny fingers grabbed the door handle—

And the door clicked open a sliver.

Daniel froze.

He reacted instantly, slamming it shut and going pale.

"Oscar! Pull over! Now!"

He clutched Nina tight, heart in his throat.

Oscar slowed down in confusion and pulled over.

"What happened, Mr. Graham?"

"Nina opened the door!"

Oscar's eyes widened.

He turned to look at Nina on Daniel's lap.

Nina, oblivious to how close she'd come to launching herself onto the road, blinked at him—and gave him a playful little wink.

Oscar's soul left his body.

If she had fallen out… his life would've been over too. Daniel would've buried him. And William would've buried Daniel right next to him.

Both men were shaken to the core.

They stayed parked for a while, breathing, before they dared continue.

Oscar engaged every child lock possible.

Daniel held Nina's chubby hand, still pale.

"Nina, no touching the doors. It's very dangerous, sweetheart."

He scolded her seriously—even though he doubted she understood more than three words.

Then they headed to the party.

Meanwhile, Amelia had already arrived at the event. The moment she stepped in, she realized it wasn't just Zoe, as Leo had mentioned.

Mabel Harrison was here too.

Mabel—the Harrison family's third daughter—was born dripping in money. She debuted with top-tier resources, starred in big-budget dramas… and tanked every single one.

She had no training, no acting chops.

People mocked her online.

Then her PR team flipped the narrative:

Mabel's roles create jobs for hardworking actors.

A rich heiress giving back to the industry.

The public softened immediately.

Next, they marketed her romance.

Bob Robinson—second son of another wealthy family—was her childhood sweetheart, now fiancé. He visited the set often, showered her with gifts. Fans loved their elite fairytale.

Until the fairytale cracked.

Bob was caught sending flowers to Amelia.

Lots of flowers.

Expensive ones.

Amelia never accepted them, but Mabel still accused her on social media—calling Amelia a homewrecker trying to crawl into Bob's arms.

Amelia's company refused to defend her. Anything she said was drowned out.

She'd been dealing with harassment ever since.

And she'd told none of this to William or Daniel.

They weren't her family. She had no right to burden them.

She'd grown up handling everything alone.

Amelia noticed Mabel standing beside Zoe and immediately tried to walk past, wanting no trouble.

But she'd barely taken two steps when Mabel's icy voice cut through the crowd.

"Stop right there."

Amelia halted.

"You see me and try to walk away?" Mabel strode toward her, heels clicking. "Feeling guilty?"

Her makeup was flawless, her outfit luxurious.

And yet—next to Amelia, who had no makeup on and wore a simple blue dress—Mabel looked painfully ordinary.

Amelia's beauty was effortless.

Her features were sharp yet soft, her lashes long and natural, her small face striking in every angle. People couldn't help staring.

The more Mabel looked, the more her expression twisted.

"No wonder you're so good at seducing people," she spat. "But you picked the wrong man. Who do you think you are? You dare touch my fiancé?"

As she finished, Mabel raised her hand—high—ready to slap her across the face.