And The Daddy Is… The Infertile Guy?!

Chapter 24

The words she had spoken hung in the air, leaving him with a slight discomfort in his chest. Who else had she deemed these “normal matters” suitable for?

Gwendolyn retreated to the sanctuary of her kitchen, catching her breath before she methodically placed the herbs into the mortar. She hesitated before tossing in an extral handful, a silent debate playing out in her mind.

Dragging a chair over, she propped her elbows on the table and rested her chin in her hands, musing over Howard’s bruised ego. She knew his pride was as fragile as the morning dew, and his reaction stemmed from the sting of embarrassment.

Mr. White had once told her that men often get irritable when dealing with personal ailments, which was up to the healer to show understanding.

Her phone buzzed insistently in her pocket. Fishing it out, she saw a flurry of messages in the class group chat, her name mentioned several times. Scott had issued an open invitation.

“Dinner’s on me at Palate Paradise. Let’s make it a night to remember,” Scott had announced, tagging everyone.

“Palate Paradise is the holy grail of Bayridge City dining. Scott, you’re pulling out all the stops! Gwendolyn is coming, right?”

“Scott is loaded and got his future all set after graduation. Envious is an understatement.”

Gwendolyn glanced at the screen, tempted to shut it off, but her old roommate Mamie had sent her a private message. “Come on, Gwendolyn, it’s our last hurrah before we all scatter. You’re not going to bail, are you?”

After a moment of hesitation, Gwendolyn replied, “I’ll be there.”

She set her phone aside, turning her attention back to the simmering concoction for a full hour before pouring it into a bowl.

On the bedroom terrace, Howard lounged with a book, soaking up the sun, his features a perfect blend of intellect and allure.

“Your tonic is ready.”

Balancing the bowl in her hands, Gwendolyn approached him, the light bitterness of the brew mingling with the fresh air.

Howard glanced up, his gaze lingering on her before he closed his book. “Did you add the extra herbs?”

“Yes,” she confessed, her tone reminiscent of a child owning up to a minor mischief. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

His laughter caught her off guard, a sound as rich as the timbre of a well–played cello. With elegant fingers, he took the bowl and downed the contents in one go.

14:18

“Sorry about earlier.” Howard said, admitting his earlier fault. If the doctor said he was under the weather, then that was that.

Observing him, Gwendolyn curled her lips into a smile. “Mr. Chadwick, you must be the most. cooperative patient I’ve ever had. As a reward, I’d like you to make a donation in my stead to the Stellar Crescent Foundation.

She pressed the half–million–dollar check into his hand.

The air held a chill from the tail end of spring, but she was wrapped in a cozy white sweater, her smooth hair cascading freely, her eyes shining with an earnest light.

“I know it was you, Mr. Chadwick.”

He was the ray of light in her life, the founder of the Stellar Crescent Foundation, the reason she hadn’t dropped out of school early. She had confirmed it with Marina during her potion brewing.

“Do you feel you owe me, then?” The words danced on his tongue before he voiced them.

Perhaps it was the effect of the tonic, but as he met her clear gaze, filled with a purity of warmth and the musings of a grown man, he felt a stirring within.

“Of course, I’ll make sure you get back on your feet,” Gwendolyn said, oblivious to the subtle probing in his words.

Howard gave a small nod, his lips parting slightly. “I’m also your patient. Since Valor has added your contact, don’t you think you’re playing favorites?”

Gwendolyn retrieved her phone, displaying the account for him to add the contact. “I’ll be out in a couple of days for the class gathering. If you need anything, you can reach me anytime.”

With his sharp eyes, Howard caught a glimpse of her unread messages, surprised at her popularity.

“Alright.”

He added her as a contact, his curiosity piqued about what nickname she might have given him.