Chapter 310:
Rylie actually took Josueâs words seriously!
Eileen gazed at Josue, her eyes wide and unblinking. She didnât know how to respond to Rylie.
âWould I lie to you?â Josue said, walking toward Eileen with unwavering confidence. âGood thing the baby isnât born yet. If it could talk, Iâd have it call you its god-grandmother.â
Upon hearing this, Eileen choked, her sudden cough giving her the chance to escape to the windowsill.
She found herself unable to interject in the lively discussion between Rylie and Josue, despite being the main subject of their conversation.
âThat settles it, then. I acknowledge this child as a member of my family!â Rylie declared, her tone clear and firm.
She flashed a reassuring smile at Eileen, who was still trying to catch her breath, and motioned for Josue to pass her some tissues.
Turning to Ruby, Rylie asked, âAre you the childâs grandmother?â
âYes,â Ruby responded briefly, struggling to match Rylieâs spirited demeanor. She attempted to approach Eileen but found herself gently guided by Rylie to sit by the bed instead.
âSo, how much longer until the baby arrives? Is it a boy or a girl? And is your daughter planning to have the baby here, or will she return to her home country?â Rylie continued, her questions flowing one after another.
While they kept chatting, Josue approached Eileen and whispered, âDo me a favor. You wouldnât lose out by having another father and grandmother for your child. My mother is really generous.â
Eileen was taken aback.
Lose yourself in stories on gαâηÏνððsâ¤com Was that really the issue? This wasnât about doing her a favor at all!
âOh, right,â Josue added casually. âRegarding the fatherâs side, Iâll explain it to him myself. It wonât cause you any problems.â
âThereâs no need for that,â Eileen replied, her smile tinged with sadness.
Josue was puzzled by her reaction. Wouldnât any father be concerned if someone suddenly wanted to become his childâs godfather?
Why would Eileen refuse his offer to handle it?
Noticing the faint sorrow in Eileenâs eyes, Josue caught his breath.
âThe childâs father⦠is dead?â he guessed, his expression softening. âMy condolences. But in this case, perhaps your child needs a father figure even moreâ¦â
He continued talking, but Eileen barely heard him.
Her mind was overwhelmed with the word âdead.â
His attempts at persuasion and Rylieâs constant babbling were nearly too much for her.
It wasnât until she had left the noisy room that she finally found some peace.
She muttered under her breath, âWhat did they really mean by all that?â
Ruby also appeared slightly bewildered as she said, âDidnât they make it clear? One of them will be the childâs godfather, and the other the god-grandmother.â
âAre you serious?â Eileen was skeptical. She had never agreed to anything!
After a prolonged silence, Ruby glanced back toward the hospital room and said, âPerhaps they just said that on a whim. We shouldnât dwell on it. Letâs head home.â
That seemed reasonable. Nodding in agreement, Eileen shared a taxi with Ruby back to the mall and then drove home.
Meanwhile, Rylie was busy figuring out Eileenâs due date. Enthusiastically, she began ordering gifts â a three-piece set of gold, including a gold locket and bracelets â all purchased in advance.
Josue was also caught up in his newfound seriousness.
Having finally given his mother something to occupy her time, he was free from her constant nudges to settle down.
âListen, Josue, you canât just say that and then forget about it. If youâre going to be a godfather, you must commit fully. Besides, this child doesnât have a father,â Rylie lectured, noticing his half-hearted attitude.
âUnderstood,â Josue nodded, though his response lacked conviction.
Rylie, seeing right through him, continued, âItâs not just about being present. Even though this child isnât biologically yours, having a bond from childhood means something. One day, when you have your own kids, they might be yours biologically, but that doesnât guarantee a real bond. So, you need to take good care of Eileenâs child.â
Her words nearly overwhelmed Josue.
To his own astonishment, he found her argument strangely compelling.
He was captivated by the idea, and the prospect of being called âgodfatherâ by a little one from a young age inexplicably filled him with joy.
If the child were a girl, his excitement would be even greater.
âAm I really going to be a godfather?â Josueâs spirits lifted instantly.
âA godfather is pretty much a father â no less significant than a biological one. Take Bryanâs father, for example â definitely not the caliber of godfather Iâd want to be.â
Rylie shot him a look.
âCould we not bring up that troublesome man right now?â she said sharply. âHeâs not fit to be a father, much less a decent human being. Anyway, howâs Bryan doing? Didnât he mention something about getting married before the new year?â
Josue looked puzzled. âHeâs getting married? Thatâs news to me! He didnât tell me about it.â
âOh, right,â Rylie said, tapping her forehead as if she had just remembered. âHe feared youâd come back and disrupt work, so he made me promise not to tell you.â
Seeing Josueâs gloomy face, she quickly tapped his shoulder and reassured him.
âMy dear, he may have played you, but now youâre about to become a godfather â something heâll never be. Hereâs your chance for ârevengeâ.â
âGreat! Time to flaunt this a bit!â Josue grinned as he grabbed his phone and exited the hospital room, striding down the corridor with renewed purpose.
Dusk began to blanket the sky, though it was still afternoon in the country where Bryan was.
The spring sunlight streamed into the room, illuminating Bryan as he held a cigarette in his left hand.
The sudden ring of his phone interrupted the quiet, prompting him to set his wine glass down with his right hand and swipe the screen to answer.
âBryan, why didnât you tell me youâre getting married?â the voice on the other end demanded.
Bryanâs expression darkened.
He closed his eyes, taking a moment to compose himself. His tone was devoid of emotion as he replied, âYou called just to ask this?â
âOf course not,â Josue quickly replied, his voice firm. âIâm calling to tell you about a significant event in my life.â
There was a brief pause before he added, âArenât you going to ask what it is?â
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