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.

out the lit cigarette and waited to light his cigarette until he

haste, Josue brought a list of names to the care center, leaving the choice to

quickly skimmed through the

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

tone dismissive. “How could those

list stirred an indescribable

thoughts were

be too critical, especially considering Josue’s

earnest, but not exactly

sighed, glancing at the little girl in the baby carriage, who seemed a touch

Eileen shook her head.

the couch, deep in thought for a while, before finally

“Athena?” Eileen looked intrigued.

piece of paper and passed it over to

independence, making Eileen chuckle. “How did you come up with this name

at a

how Bryan had

days paled in comparison to

So, are you going

wheeled the baby

it is then,” she

view, Josue had also played a part in choosing

swelled with pride, and he turned

great. Once we’re back home, we’ll get the baby officially registered.” Ruby beamed, thrilled that Eileen was pleased with

finally had

“When are you planning

after Eileen’s recovery period is over,”

Josue interjected, “You heading back? Did you travel all this way to a foreign land

for three months, and they would return a month

“I’m so thankful for all your help during this period. Your kindness to Athena will always have

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

thought, finally spoke up. “I’ve requested a transfer

by their unified affection

think she

bit unfair knowing that the formal name of the baby had

he declared firmly,

momentarily lost for

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

with Eileen. She turned to Eileen with

the nickname is good,” Eileen replied, not

around the baby carriage, each taking turns to

moved to the window, soaking in the sunlight, and reflected on how much Rylie and Josue’s visit had filled her

of the ward left her

presence here, that

cradling Athena, basking

his smile in her dreams didn’t shine as brightly as Josue’s did in reality,

emotion swept away all semblance of

a text,

facing bleak prospects. Zola had made a public vow to secure

in close talks with Leland, nearly finalizing a

the Apex Group. Even with the project as a

if they couldn’t secure the contract, the

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

want

couldn’t make up her mind for