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.

cigarette and waited to light his

Josue brought a list of names to the care

skimmed through the

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

tone dismissive. “How could those women ever measure

the list stirred an

Josue’s thoughts were still

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

earnest, but

at the little girl in the baby carriage, who seemed a touch more charming

Eileen shook her head.

a while, before

“Athena?” Eileen looked intrigued.

wrote the name down on a piece

“How did you come up with this name all of a sudden?”

a

know how Bryan had come up with this

that the names he had agonized over for days paled in

used my brain. So, are you going to name

about, stood straighter and wheeled the baby

Athena it is then,” she

played a part

chest swelled with pride, and he turned

the baby officially registered.” Ruby beamed, thrilled that Eileen was

baby finally had a

“When are

recovery period is over,”

all this way to a foreign land just to have

here for three months, and they would return a month after the baby

remarked. She then expressed her gratitude, saying, “I’m so thankful for all your help during this period. Your kindness to Athena will always have a

thanks. “Don’t mention it. I don’t have much to do here, and I’ll

“I’ve requested a transfer back home. I’m going

was deeply moved by their unified

said, “I think she needs

knowing that the formal name of

he declared

momentarily lost for

of miles abroad to have this child, and I want to give this nickname to her. This isn’t up for discussion.

with Eileen. She turned to

Eileen replied, not wanting to

Rylie, and Ruby gathered around the baby carriage, each

the sunlight, and reflected on how much Rylie and

of the ward left her little space to mull

was Athena’s resemblance to Bryan, or maybe his recent presence here, that

often envisioned him cradling Athena, basking

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

surge of emotion swept away all

Eileen a text, expressing his desire to

prospects. Zola had made a public vow to secure the Waléh

talks with

for the Apex Group. Even with the project

the contract, the

come here, and Eileen found herself repeatedly reading his

want to

her mind for