Chapter 154

Stacey cradled the baby, frozen until a shadow fell. Hannah smiled, her gaze gentle. "Master, the attacker's gone. Don't be afraid."

Stacey, eyes wide, looked up. A photographer snapped a close-up. Her face was pale. After a long moment, she whispered, "Where are the bullets?"

Hannah opened her hand, revealing two bullets. "Here."

"Cut!" the director yelled. The camera lingered on Hannah’s palm, concealing two secrets: bullet wounds unseen beneath synthetic skin, and the superhuman strength to catch bullets barehanded.

Lynn rushed to Stacey. "Becky, are you okay?"

Stacey shook her head. "Fine."

Lynn relaxed. Hayden and his team reviewed the footage. Stacey joined them. "A week for the final cut," Hayden ordered.

Daniel grinned. "Done!" The bonuses danced in his head.

Darkness fell. Employees departed. Lynn and Stacey prepared to leave. "Mr. Hoggard, if we can," Lynn said.

Jeremy panicked, grabbing Stacey’s hand. He wrote on his tablet: Don't go. His eyes pleaded.

Hayden asked, "Where are you staying?"

Lynn answered, "A hotel."

Hayden looked at Stacey, then back at Lynn. "Stay at my house. My butler can arrange rooms."

Jeremy nodded frantically.

Lynn hesitated. "Mr. Hoggard, Becky’s… prominent now. Paparazzi…"

Hayden considered this. Then, "Becky, take Jeremy to the hotel. Consider it helping me care for him tonight. I'll collect him tomorrow."

Stacey was surprised. Jeremy’s clinginess since that morning had baffled her. Yet, she agreed; he was adorable. Jeremy’s face lit up.

"Thank you," Hayden said sincerely.

Stacey smiled. "Don't mention it. Dinner at home? Then, the hotel," she added.

Hannah cooked. Stacey checked her phone. Time allowed, she settled Jeremy on the couch, turning on a cartoon. Minutes later, her phone rang—a video call from Debra.

"Mama!" Kevin’s excited voice filled the room.

Stacey smiled. "Hey, Kev. Granny?"

Jeremy peered at the phone, eyes wide. Kevin babbled, "Bubba!"

Debra took the phone. Seeing Jeremy, she asked, "Becky, who's this?"

Stacey smiled, "Mom, this is Jeremy, Mr. Hoggard's son."