Shrouded Affections Winning Back My CEO Wife

Chapter 316

Chapter 316:

The surname was settled—Curtis.

However, the baby’s first name had still not been decided, even three days after leaving the hospital for the postnatal care center. They hadn’t chosen a name yet.

Faleen was in no rush; she wanted to take her time to find the perfect name. In contrast, Josue was anxious, presenting Eileen with a new list of potential names daily.

His house was littered with papers scribbled with names.

As Bryan stepped into the room, Josue immediately lunged to scoop up a paper from the floor, clutching it against his chest as if it were a precious gem.

“What brings you here so unexpectedly?” Josue asked.

“Business,” Bryan replied curtly, scanning the room but unable to make out the contents on the papers that Josue guarded so closely.

He settled onto the sofa, arching an eyebrow. “There’s a meeting tomorrow you need to attend.”

Josue didn’t hesitate to refuse. “I can’t. I need to visit my goddaughter in the hospital. She doesn’t have a father. She needs all the fatherly support I can give her to grow up well.”

“Are you sure?” Bryan replied. “Aren’t you worried she might be affected by your bad influence?”

Josue was familiar with Bryan’s biting remarks and knew he couldn’t out-argue him about attending the meeting, but submitting without a fight would be humiliating.

He then nonchalantly said, “Fine, then think of a name for her. No, ten names. Do that, and I’ll attend the meeting.”

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Bryan, unfazed by the minor challenge, readily agreed.

Yet, when he thought of the baby he had met the day before, he found himself unexpectedly tongue-tied, struggling to think of any names.

Casually, he inquired, “What is her…?”

“Surname…” Josue hesitated. Curtis was the agreed surname, but what if Bryan connected that to Eileen?

Josue almost let the word slip. He stopped himself and quickly said, “Payne. She’ll have my surname.”

Bryan cast him a look, aware that Josue was lying, but he didn’t care.

He mulled it over briefly before writing a name on the document.

“Athena.”

After that, his mind drew a blank. His only wish was for the little girl to forge her own path in life.

“Only this one name?” Josue asked, with a hint of scorn.

Bryan set the pen down and replied, “Just this one. Besides, your opinion isn’t relevant here. Why do you care so much?”

Eileen reached for a cigarette, but Josue was quick to intervene. “I can’t visit my goddaughter smelling like your secondhand smoke. Either quit smoking now or leave.”

“And what about the meeting tomorrow?” Bryan queried, the unlit cigarette dangling from his lips.

“I said if you propose ten names, I’ll attend. Less than that, I won’t—”

But before Josue could finish, a “click” echoed as Bryan flicked on his lighter.

The flame neared the cigarette, his gaze carrying a veiled threat.

“I’ll be there!” Josue conceded, his teeth clenched.

lit cigarette and waited to light his cigarette

list of names to the care center,

quickly skimmed through the

you bring a list of all your ex-girlfriends?”

instantly, his tone dismissive. “How could those

the list stirred

Josue’s thoughts were

not to be too critical, especially considering Josue’s dedication—he had been bringing her

efforts were earnest, but not exactly

the baby carriage, who seemed a

Eileen shook her head.

deep in thought for a while, before finally

“Athena?” Eileen looked intrigued.

down on a piece

chuckle. “How did you come up with this name all

a loss

Bryan had come up with

was that the names he had agonized over for days paled in comparison to

my brain. So, are you going

now up and about, stood straighter and wheeled the baby carriage closer,

is

also played

pride, and he turned to share the news

back home, we’ll get the baby officially registered.” Ruby beamed, thrilled that Eileen was

baby finally had

promptly inquired, “When are you planning on

period

travel all this way to a

had come here for three months, and they would return

one way to describe it,” Eileen remarked. She then expressed her gratitude, saying, “I’m so thankful for all your help during this period.

waved off the thanks. “Don’t mention it. I don’t

up. “I’ve requested a transfer back home. I’m going to be close to

was deeply moved by their unified affection for the

Josue said, “I think she needs a

that the formal name of the baby

some thought, he declared

momentarily lost

and I want to give this nickname to her. This isn’t up for discussion. Athena sounds too mature…” Josue stood his ground

resonated with Eileen. She turned to

replied, not wanting to dampen Josue’s

carriage, each

the window, soaking in the sunlight, and reflected on how much Rylie and Josue’s visit

ward left her little

Athena’s resemblance to Bryan, or maybe his recent presence here, that had made her think of

slumbers, she often envisioned him cradling

in her dreams didn’t shine as brightly as Josue’s did in

swept away

a text, expressing his desire

had learned from Julio that the Apex Group was facing bleak prospects. Zola had made a

had been in close talks with Leland, nearly finalizing

securing the contract would only herald further troubles for the Apex Group. Even with the project as

secure the contract, the Apex Group’s only

tumultuous times, Bryan had come here, and Eileen found herself repeatedly reading his simple

really want to

up her mind