The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 69

Every time Joseph heard that nickname, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He had always been generous, a man who thought nothing of spending lavishly, yet here he was, being relentlessly called a meanie by a child. If word got out, his reputation would be in tatters.

Chaim blinked his large, innocent eyes and asked earnestly, “Then what should I call you?”

“Call me Uncle,” Joseph replied without a second thought.

“Uncle?” Chaim furrowed his little brow. “Isn't that for old people? Are you really old?”

Joseph was beginning to think he and this kid were fundamentally incompatible. They weren't even on the same wavelength. “It’s a term of respect for an elder. I am your uncle.”

Ruby, standing nearby, overheard and assumed he must be a cousin of Fletcher's. Why else would he ask to be called “Uncle”?

“Alright, if it makes you happy, I’ll call you Uncle,” Chaim said with the gravity of a tiny adult before turning his attention back to his blocks.

Joseph sat down on the edge of the bed, watching the boy’s intense focus. He definitely had the Baird family concentration.

“Chaim, it’s almost lunchtime. What would you like to eat? Can I have lunch with you?” Joseph, having no experience with children, was clumsily trying to make conversation.

“Whatever. I’m sick, so I can’t eat a lot of things anyway…”

The boy’s casual resignation tugged at Joseph’s heart. “Then I’ll take care of lunch,” he said. “I promise it will be nutritious, delicious, and something you can eat.”

The little boy nodded. “Okay, you handle it.” He then went back to his blocks.

Joseph made a quick phone call and gave a series of instructions.

At noon, Roderic arrived with two large thermal containers. Soon, the small table was covered with an array of delicate and appetizing dishes.

“Kid, this feast is on me. It’s my apology for not letting you use my phone the other day. From now on, you are not allowed to call me Mr. Meanie,” Joseph said, determined to repair his image in his “son’s” eyes.

“Wow… so much yummy food! You’re so generous, Mr. Meanie!” the boy exclaimed with delight.

“It’s Uncle!” Joseph corrected him.

Chaim walked over to the table, his eyes wide at the spread. He looked up at Joseph. “Can I call my mommy and ask her to come eat with us?”

“Of course,” Joseph nodded.

Chaim borrowed Ruby’s phone and placed a video call to his mother.

At her office, Vivica was in the middle of work when she saw the call from Ruby. Fearing her parents had returned to cause more trouble, she answered immediately.

[Don’t worry. I just came to see him, and since it was almost noon, I arranged for lunch.]

In truth, Joseph hadn’t even told his parents about this yet. If he had, his mother, despite her frail health, would have undoubtedly dragged herself out of bed to come see her grandson. This was something that had to be handled with the utmost respect for Vivica’s wishes, with her present to guide the formal introduction between the boy and his grandparents.

Seeing Joseph’s reply, Vivica felt a wave of relief. She wasn't sure why she trusted him so easily. They had only known each other for a few days, after all. But his repeated help and the unexpected sense of security she felt around him had already created a favorable impression of the cold, imposing man.

But it was just a favorable impression, nothing more.

Her phone rang again, pulling her from her thoughts. It was her best friend, Quintina.

“Hey, Quintina.”

“Vivica, who is the man in the hospital room with Chaim?” Quintina asked without preamble.

Quintina knew Vivica was at work and would sometimes visit Chaim during her lunch break, so she had decided to do the same. But when she arrived outside the room, she saw a stranger having lunch with the boy. She immediately called for an explanation.

Vivica sighed, thinking of the whirlwind of the last few hours. She hadn't had a chance to tell Quintina everything yet. “It’s a long story…”

“Then start talking.” Quintina was dying of curiosity. Seeing how handsome the man was, she joked, “Or I could just barge in there and ask him myself.”