A Contract Marriage with My Child’s Father Chapter 37

Chapter 37

She looked soft and squishy like a lump of dough.

But her temper?

Pure fire.

And then—

“Waaah!”

The child charged straight at him.

Gasp!

Jaden instinctively threw up both arms to protect himself—

But she didn’t even touch him.

She brushed past and darted into the room instead.

Then she began rummaging around frantically.

“Mom!”

She dropped to her knees and peered under the bed.

“Mom?”

Next, she yanked open a drawer.

“Uuu, Mom!”

What is she even doing?

Viola might look like a fairy from a story, but she wasn’t an actual fairy.

There was no way she’d be hiding inside a drawer.

“Viola isn’t here.”

Jaden stepped forward to stop her—

And froze.

She had reached for the small box on the bedside table.

His treasure box.

The one hiding the ribbon pin Viola had given him.

“H-Hey! What do you think you’re doing?!”

And right then—

“Melody. You. Why are you here?”

Viola stood at the doorway with a terrifying expression and scooped the girl up in one swift motion.

The moment I saw Melody in Jaden’s room, relief flooded me.

Thank goodness she was safe.

On the outside, however, I kept my scariest face.

“Melody, you little brat. You scared me. I went to your room and you weren’t there.”

“Hehe… Mama…”

Even while being scolded, she clung to me sweetly, completely unrepentant.

Ugh.

Don’t go soft.

It was obvious she had come all this way because she missed me.

And that made me feel guilty.

“You’re getting a real scolding when we go back.”

“Uu.”

She didn’t even seem to process the word “scolding.”

She was just happy.

Right. Focus.

I lowered myself to Jaden’s eye level.

“I’m sorry, Young Master. This is my daughter. She didn’t trouble you, did she?”

“Huh? No! Not at all!”

He shook his head so fast it looked suspicious.

“Really? Melody didn’t cause trouble?”

“Not even a little! We were… playing together. Right?”

“U?”

Melody tilted her head.

Jaden let out an awkward laugh.

Did they fight?

No… that seemed unlikely.

In the original story, Jaden adored his little sister.

Still—

“…You two didn’t fight, did you?”

“No!”

He answered too quickly.

Suspicious.

Jaden swallowed hard.

Get it together, Jaden Ashellen.

It wasn’t a lie.

They didn’t fight.

There was just… a brief silent power struggle.

That didn’t count.

Right?

He forced a casual smile.

Meanwhile—

“Uuu. Mama.”

Melody clung tightly to Viola.

Suddenly, indignation bubbled up.

I didn’t do anything wrong! She’s the one who barged in!

Yet she looked perfectly calm, while he was the only one flustered.

Unfair.

Still—

Jaden forced himself to think strategically.

If I get along with her…

I might get to see Viola more often.

He sidled up beside Melody and tried sounding friendly.

“So… what were you doing? Hah. Hah. Looks fun.”

“Hmph!”

Prickly.

As expected.

What—I don’t like you either.

His lips puffed out.

I tried first!

Just because you look like Viola, you think you’re special—

He nearly snapped.

Then paused.

His etiquette instructor’s words surfaced in his mind:

Understanding power dynamics is how you survive.

Right now…

The weaker position was clearly his.

That child was precious to Viola.

Viola rushed home every evening because of her.

Jaden suddenly felt a sharp sting of jealousy.

Unlike him—who only saw Viola when sick—

Melody could be with her whenever she wanted.

He stared at her blankly.

Then—

“U!”

What are you staring at?!

He hadn’t even spoken.

She still glared.

She really didn’t like him.

And probably because he had “hogged” Viola all day.

Wait.

Jaden’s eyes sharpened.

Their goal was the same.

If so—

A brilliant idea flashed.

He grabbed Melody’s tiny hand.

Then burst into exaggerated laughter.

“Hahahaha!”

“U?”

She stiffened.

He leaned down and whispered urgently.

“Hey. Pretend we’re close.”

“U!”

Absolutely not!

“Hmm? So you did fight, didn’t you? The vibe feels kind of—”

Viola narrowed her eyes.

Jaden panicked.

“No! We just have something to discuss!”

He quickly dragged Melody behind the bed where Viola couldn’t see them.

“U.”

What is it?

Thankfully, she followed.

He lowered his voice conspiratorially.

“You hate that I monopolize Viola during the day, right?”

“Hmph.”

Obviously.

“Let’s form an alliance.”

“U?”

What’s that?

“It means we’re on the same side.”

Her ears twitched.

Curious.

“When Viola comes, you come too.”

Then she won’t leave immediately. I win.

“And you stay for dinner with us. The three of us.”

Then you don’t get separated from her all day. You win.

Jaden smirked confidently.

Melody whipped her head toward him.

It was a tempting offer.

The silence stretched.

Their eyes locked.

Burning with mutual determination.

Then—

Smack!

They slapped palms dramatically.

Historic treaty signed.

Arms thrown around each other’s shoulders (despite their mismatched heights), they marched back out.

“Kyaaa~”

“Hahaha! Playing with me is fun, right?! Wahahaha!”

“Huh?”

I blinked.

Since when were they best friends?

Seeing my confusion, they turned the enthusiasm up another level.

If we both want to win, this is the only way!

“Come to think of it,” I said slowly, “you didn’t have anyone your age here, did you? Do you like Melody?”

“Mm! After talking, I feel like she understands me.”

“And Melody? Is it fun playing with Young Master Jaden?”

“Uuu! Uuuuu!”

She raised her thumb proudly.

Now.

Jaden seized the moment.

“Viola.”

“Yes?”

“Can she come with you sometimes? Please? I get bored.”

“Uuu… Mama…”

Melody clasped her hands dramatically and begged too.

I tilted my head thoughtfully.

The tension between them was palpable.

“Please?”

“Uuu!”

Two pairs of wide, sparkling eyes stared up at me.

Calf-like innocence weaponized.

…That kid’s good.

Jaden watched Melody’s eyes fill with tears on command.

For a four-year-old…

Her acting was impressive.

And the result of that performance was—

Viola slowly smiling.

And the alliance officially entering effect.