The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 257

Quintina stared, her jaw slack. She turned to her friend. "Wait, you two... you're not living together, are you?"

"No, no, absolutely not," Vivica said, waving her hands frantically. She glanced from her friend to Joseph, then stepped forward to meet him.

"What are you doing…" she started to whisper, her brow furrowed. She wanted to scold him, but seeing how happy her son was, the words died in her throat.

Joseph arched a brow, a hint of cool arrogance in his eyes. "Ms. Christie is your best friend, not a stranger."

"Right, right! Vivica, don't be embarrassed," Quintina chimed in quickly, trying to ease the tension.

Vivica's face flushed as she tried to explain. "He doesn't come here often. We're really not living together, so don't get the wrong idea."

Quintina leaned in close with a sly grin. "Whatever is going on between you two is written all over your face. I don't need to get any ideas."

Vivica was speechless.

Laura approached them respectfully. "Mr. Baird, Ms. Lynn, dinner is nearly ready. Shall we move to the dining room?"

"Thank you, Laura." Vivica gave Laura a polite smile, then held out her hands to her son. "Chaim, come down now. Let your uncle wash up for dinner."

"No, I want to wash my hands with Uncle," the little boy said, tightening his arms around Joseph's neck.

Joseph smiled. "Alright, then. You can come with me."

Once the two of them had left the living room, Vivica breathed a sigh of relief and grabbed Quintina's arm again. "You'd better not say anything weird later. We're really not in that kind of relationship."

Quintina placed the cake on the dining table and shot Vivica a knowing smile over her shoulder. "Even if you're not now, you will be. Just look at Chaim. He already sees him as a father."

"I'm done wishing! Time to cut the cake!" Chaim reached for the fruit knife, but Vivica quickly intervened, worried he might hurt himself.

"Let Mommy cut it for you. You can be in charge of passing out the slices."

Chaim nodded and sat back obediently. As he watched his mother slice the cake, he suddenly piped up, "Do you know what I wished for?"

Quintina played along. "What did you wish for, Chaim?"

"I made three wishes! The first wish is for Uncle to be my daddy. The second…"

Before Chaim could finish, Vivica’s hand trembled, nearly dropping the knife. "Honey, that's enough!"