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

names to the care center, leaving the

quickly skimmed

all your ex-girlfriends?” she asked, raising

his tone dismissive. “How

the list stirred an indescribable

thoughts were still

critical, especially considering

efforts were earnest,

little girl in the baby carriage, who seemed a touch

Eileen shook her head.

deep in thought for a while,

“Athena?” Eileen looked intrigued.

name down on a piece of

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

a loss

know how Bryan had come

he had agonized over for days paled in comparison to the one

used my brain. So, are you going to name the

the baby

it is

Josue had also played a part in choosing the

swelled with pride, and he turned

we’re back home, we’ll get the baby officially

baby finally had a name

inquired, “When are you planning

recovery period is over,”

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

three months, and they would return a month

so thankful for all

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

lost in thought, finally spoke up. “I’ve requested a transfer back home. I’m going to be

moved by their

think

the formal name of

thought, he

momentarily lost

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

She turned to Eileen with a hopeful

the nickname is good,” Eileen replied, not wanting to dampen

baby carriage, each taking

to the window, soaking in the sunlight, and reflected on how much

her little space to mull

resemblance to Bryan, or maybe his recent presence

him cradling Athena, basking in the glow

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

a surge of emotion swept away all semblance

a text,

that the Apex Group was facing bleak prospects. Zola had made a public vow to secure the Waléh

close talks with Leland, nearly finalizing a

further troubles for the Apex Group. Even with the project as a cover, the future looked

secure the contract, the Apex Group’s only route was

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

want to see

make up her mind for a long