“Did you hear? Mr. Ellsworth went on a date!” Mrs. Block leaned in, lowering her voice as she whispered to Little Nina, “Your Miss White heard Mr. Ellsworth was meeting someone, and she was so upset she cried!”
“What’s a date?” Little Nina tilted her head, genuinely puzzled.
“It means he’s looking for a girlfriend, maybe even a wife. Mr. Ellsworth isn’t getting any younger–it’s about time he settled down!”
Little Nina frowned. “So… will he still come to work today?”
“Oh, of course,” Mrs. Block replied. “Before he left, he told me that if you came by and he wasn’t back yet, I should tell you to wait for him.”
Little Nina nodded and, just as she turned, spotted her mother stepping over the threshold and heading her way.
She was about to say something when, outside the clinic, she caught sight of a man and woman walking side by side.
The man was tall and lean, dressed in a crisp white shirt and black trousers. The setting sun cast a golden glow over his handsome features, making him stand out even more.
He spotted Little Nina and arched a perfect eyebrow at her.
Even from several yards away, Little Nina instantly understood what he meant with just a look.
Her dark eyes sparkled mischievously. Drawing in a breath, she shouted, “Daddy!”
Briony was startled–before she could react, Little Nina had already darted outside.
“Daddy!”
Ferdinand crouched down to scoop Little Nina into his arms.
Watching the scene unfold, Briony couldn’t help but smile knowingly.
The little rascal was helping her dear Mr. Ellsworth ward off unwanted admirers!
Standing next to Ferdinand was a woman dressed in designer clothes, her air unmistakably that of someone from a wealthy family.
She pointed at Little Nina, her tone sharp. “She called you Daddy? You… you have a child?”
Ferdinand, still holding Little Nina, met her gaze. His warm, handsome face radiated such calm that it could put anyone at ease.
“That’s right,” he said easily. “This is my daughter, Little Nina. Little Nina, say hello to the lady.“”
“Hello, miss!” Little Nina beamed at the woman, her voice sweet and clear. “Don’t worry, I’m very well–behaved. If you and my daddy get married, I promise I’ll be good and won’t make any trouble!”
The woman’s face twisted in outrage. “I’d have to be out of my mind to become someone’s stepmom!” she snapped. “Liar! Jerk! You could’ve told me you had a daughter and saved me the trouble!”
With that, she spun on her heel and stormed off in a huff.
Ferdinand visibly relaxed, tapping Little Nina’s nose with a grateful smile. “Thank you, Little Nina. You really saved my skin back there.”
“No problem!” Little Nina shot him a cheeky wink. “If you ever need help again, just call me!”
Ferdinand chuckled, still holding her as he carried her back into the clinic.
Briony looked at Ferdinand and shook her head, resigned. “In a small town like this, you keep pulling stunts like
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that and you can kiss any chance of finding a wife goodbye”
Ferdinand glanced back at her, his eyes warm and amused. “That’s fine by me. I never planned on getting married anyway.”
Briony left it at that. She considered herself just friends with Ferdinand–not exactly close enough for heart–to–heart talks about marriage.
Westenmar.
There were only three days left until Rosita and Garry’s wedding.
Until then, Garry never let Rosita leave his private estate without permission.
Rosita hardly looked forward to the wedding.
Everyone on the outside seemed to think Garry adored her, treating her like a princess.
But the truth was, for nearly four years, Garry had kept her under virtual house arrest, isolated from the world.
The real reason for this wedding? Garry needed a wife to legitimize the son he fathered with another woman.
That child was already three, and his mother had died in childbirth.
Today, Garry was bringing the boy home for the first time.
He’d already warned Rosita: in front of the child, she was to play the part of his real mother.
The very thought of raising someone else’s child made Rosita bristle with resentment.
Still, for the sake of returning home and regaining her freedom, she could only grit her teeth and endure.
A car pulled up outside.
Rosita knew it was Garry and the boy.
She rose from the sofa, took a deep breath, and forced a bright smile.
Garry entered with the boy in his arms.
Rosita stepped forward immediately. “You’re home! Come here, sweetheart–I’m your mom. Let me hold you!”
The little boy shrank back in Garry’s arms, his big dark eyes wary and watchful as he stared at Rosita, clearly resistant.
Rosita froze, momentarily embarrassed.
Garry soothed the boy with a gentle pat on the back, his deep gaze fixed on Rosita. “He just needs time to get used to a new place.”
“Of course,” Rosita managed a small smile. “What’s his name?”
Garry stroked the boy’s hair. “Mario.”
21.
