His Housewife Had Secret Identities novel Chapter 755

Jonathan stared at Marlin with wide eyes. For a fleeting moment, he thought the baby actually looked a little like him.

"Dada... adadada... dadada..." Although Marlin was clearly making the 'da' sound, it now sounded more like random babbling than a name.

"Babies at one year old are just learning to talk," Niamh explained calmly. "'Dada' is one of the easiest sounds for them to make, so you hear it a lot." In other words, Marlin hadn't been calling him 'Dad.'

"Oh, I see..." Jonathan looked down, a wave of disappointment washing over him. He had no experience with children, so Niamh's explanation sounded plausible.

Marlin continued his happy babbling, wiggling his arms and legs with delight as he ate. Jonathan gave a small smile and couldn't resist stroking the baby's cheek. "If you want... you can call me 'Dada' someday, too."

As if on cue, Marlin called out again, his voice clear and bright. "Dada."

Jonathan felt his eyes grow warm. He'd never imagined that one day he'd be so moved by being called 'Dada.' Especially when the child wasn't even his.

He picked up a rattle and shook it, making Marlin giggle. Even if he wasn't his son, he was Niamh's son. And Jonathan thought... maybe it wouldn't be so bad if Marlin became his son, too.

Watching the tender scene between Jonathan and Marlin, Niamh felt a complicated knot of emotions. "Alright, Hazel will be here soon," she said, stepping in to clear the high chair tray and interrupting their interaction. Marlin, though he couldn't speak, made his displeasure clear with an exaggerated pout.

"He seems to... want to play a little longer," Jonathan said softly, his tone tentative. At least Marlin didn't dislike him; he took that as a good sign.

"Hazel can play with him when she gets here."

"Hazel is?"

Niamh scoffed. "And only a fool would believe that." She turned and started walking again, her pace quickening.

Jonathan hurried to catch up, calling out, "I want to join your charitable foundation!"

Niamh stopped dead. Jonathan quickly came to her side. "Niamh... no, Kali. My company, Cygnus Biotechnology, wants to partner with the foundation you started on this island. We can provide medical and educational resources for the children in those three orphanages."

His words forced Niamh into serious consideration. While his motives were anything but pure, a partnership with Cygnus Biotechnology would be an undeniable benefit to the orphans on the island.

"Are you serious?" she asked, glancing at him.

Jonathan smiled. He was so thin he was almost gaunt, but that charming curve of his lips still held its magnetic appeal.