Chapter 388



With a mix of emotions in his eyes and a slight bitterness in his voice, Ethan altered the way he addressed her, echoing her politeness, although reluctantly. “Ms. Nixon. I didn’t come to stop you. It’s been years since we last met, and I thought we might catch up. How have things been with you?”

Kallie nodded, her smile broadening, before shaking Sophie’s hand.

Sophie caught on to Kallie’s meaning instantly and turned to greet Ethan with a warm smile. “Hello, Mr. Brooks.”

Ethan’s gaze lingered on the adorable Sophie. He seemed momentarily lost in thought. “She’s the spitting image of you as a kid, those eyes especially.”

Sophie tilted her head, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. “How do you know what my mammy looked like as a kid?”

Kallie responded with gentle patience, “He’s been a friend of mine since we were kids. He’s like an older brother to me, which makes him sort of like your uncle.”

Ethan noticed Kallie’s subtle efforts to maintain a distance, which only added to his discomfort. His heart ached, realizing that a romantic future with Kallie was out of reach, and their current estrangement only deepened his sorrow.

Ethan couldn’t hide his reluctance. “If you see me as an older brother, why do you call me Mr. Brooks? You’re not this formal with Brent.”

Kallie’s brow creased, and she was just about to explain when the click of high heels interrupted her. Joanna approached, her poise unshaken, her beauty undimmed but with a hint of coldness visible behind her glasses. She took Ethan’s arm, deliberately flaunting her wedding ring at Kallie.

Joanna said with a smile, “It seems I’ve come at a bad time. Am I interrupting anything?”

Despite Joanna’s friendly tone, Kallie detected a hint of malice in her eyes.

gαℓησν𝒆𝓁s․com is where your journey begins Seizing the moment, Kallie responded with a warm smile, taking Joanna’s hand gently, “Oh, you’re not interrupting at all. In fact, I was hoping to invite you both to dinner after my return. But I’ve been so busy, and I’m afraid it felt rather sudden.”

Then, introducing her daughter, Kallie beamed. “This is my daughter, Sophie. I wonder when we’ll hear the wonderful news of you having a little one?”

Sophie chimed in with childlike innocence, “Mammy, I call Ethan ‘uncle,’ so does that make this lovely lady my ‘auntie’?”

Before Kallie could respond, Joanna withdrew her hand sharply from Kallie’s gentle hold, a sneer forming on her lips.

Joanna glanced at Sophie dismissively, “Making connections so young, are you? Looks like you’re taking after your mother.”

Ethan, visibly upset, confronted Joanna, “Why would you say that? Isn’t it out of line to talk to a child that way?”

The confrontation made Joanna’s eyes blaze with fury, her tone turning frosty. “Ethan! You claimed you no longer had any feelings for Kallie. Then why this rush to refute me and defend her daughter? I saw how you’ve been watching her since she arrived today!”

Ethan’s anger matched Joanna’s. “She’s like a sister to me, nothing more. The past is the past. You’re the one making a big deal out of it!”

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