Chapter 61 Recognizing a Goddaughter
Sloane's POV
As she spoke, she secretly pointed at David beside her and lowered her voice, "If that doesn't work, what about David? He's handsome, has a great body, gentle and caring - definitely a hundred times better than that ice block!"
David's face instantly turned red. He quickly grabbed Jessie, who was about to continue, "If you keep talking nonsense, I'll send your internship report back for a rewrite."
Watching the siblings banter, the gloom in my heart caused by Keira and Arthur seemed to lift a little.
This small break room felt like a shelter from the outside world, full of kindness and warmth.
That warmth didn't last long. When I was getting ready to leave work that evening, I saw that familiar figure I didn't want to see in the hospital lobby.
Jared stood at the busy entrance. He'd changed out of his aggressive dress shirt into a dark gray cashmere sweater, looking less threatening and more gentle and homey.
When he saw me, he immediately came over, brows furrowed, his eyes scanning my face, "Why do you still look so pale? Are you feeling unwell?"
Without asking, he grabbed my wrist, his palm dry and warm. I instinctively tried to pull away, but he gripped tighter.
Lila happened to pass by. When Jared saw her, he immediately stopped her and asked, "Lila, is there something wrong with Sloane's health?"
Lila glanced at me and immediately understood, making up a story with a straight face. "Oh, her stomach hasn't been great lately. It's probably too much stress. She needs more rest and should eat light foods."
Jared's frown deepened. He turned to look at me, his tone carrying a hint of commanding concern. "You hear that? No more eating all that junk food."
His sudden concern irritated me. I pulled my hand back and asked coldly, "What are you doing here?"
He seemed to remember his actual purpose, his expression softening slightly, "Mother wants to see you. She's invited us to dinner."
Annette?
I really didn't want to refuse that elder who genuinely cared about me.
Dinner was at a quiet private restaurant.
When Annette saw the gauze on my elbow, her eyes immediately reddened. She held my hand, asking question after question, her voice full of heartache and guilt.
Jared sat across from me, unusually silent, just quietly serving me food, carefully picking out every bone from the fish before placing it in my bowl.
His movements were clumsy but earnest, like an elementary school student trying hard to please his teacher.
The meal was both warm and strange.
After dinner, Annette insisted on taking me shopping at the mall.
"Sloane, you're too thin and you don't look well. You should buy some pretty clothes," she said affectionately, linking her arm through mine, her tone full of indulgence. "Girls should be good to themselves."
She practically dragged me into a high-end women's boutique, where the staff respectfully presented the season's new collections.
Annette enthusiastically picked out clothes for me, her eye excellent - each piece seemed tailor-made for me.
Looking at myself wrapped in luxury in the mirror, I only felt deeply ironic.
I couldn't help but speak up, gently reminding her, "Mother, we're... getting divorced soon."
Annette's hand paused while adjusting my collar, then she smiled gently, though there was no surprise in her eyes, "I know."
She led me to a nearby seating area, held my hand, and looked at me seriously, "Sloane, I know that bastard Jared broke your heart. Our family owes you so much. Even if you two separate, I can't bear to lose you."
She paused, took a deep breath, as if making a major decision, her eyes carrying hope and nervousness. "Sloane, would you be willing to... let me be your godmother? From now on, you'll be my daughter, and no one can bully you anymore."
My heart felt like it had been hit hard by something.
Becoming her goddaughter would mean I'd be permanently tied to the Montclair family in another capacity.
But looking at the genuine love in her eyes, I couldn't bring myself to refuse.
Just as I hesitated, Jared, who had been silently following behind us, suddenly spoke coldly.
"I don't agree."
Jared's words stunned both Annette and me into silence.
Annette looked at her son in shock, seemingly unable to understand why he would reject a proposal that would be good for everyone.
And I, after a brief daze, felt strangely relieved.
Jared stepped forward, his gaze heavy on me, his signature dominance and possessiveness undisguised, "I don't agree to you being her godmother because I don't want her staying by my side as a 'sister' in the future."
His voice wasn't loud, but every word was firm and unquestionable.
"I only want her as my wife."
Annette looked at his stubborn expression and finally sighed helplessly.
Taking advantage of Jared stepping away to take a call, she held my hand and said softly, "Sloane, think about it again. Jared may be stubborn, but he has a soft heart. He does care about you - he was just spoiled by us before and doesn't know how to love someone."
I looked down at our clasped hands without responding.
He cares about me? Maybe.
But that "care" was mixed with too much calculation, control, and family interests - it had long become unrecognizable.
Belated affection is just a drop of water falling into the vast ocean, unable to make even the smallest ripple.
Annette saw my difficulty and the resistance beneath my silence. The light in her eyes dimmed. She didn't push further, just patted the back of my hand with sympathy, "Good child, I know you've been wronged. Whatever you decide, I'll support you."
On the way back, the atmosphere in the car was somewhat heavy.
Annette leaned back in the rear seat with her eyes closed. I watched the neon lights rapidly retreating outside the window, having no interaction with the man driving beside me.
As the car passed through a bustling plaza, we were stopped by a street photographer.
He carried a professional camera and looked at us with delight, especially at Jared and me, exclaiming exaggeratedly, "Sir, ma'am, you two have such a great relationship - you're a match made in heaven! Could I take a photo of you? Just to capture a romantic moment for this city."
Great relationship? I almost laughed out loud. That was probably the funniest joke I'd heard all year.
"No need, thank you." I instinctively started to refuse.
"Okay."
But Jared's cool voice sounded at the same time as mine.
Not only did he agree, he even added, "But we need to prepare our own outfits."
I looked at him in surprise, not understanding what game he was playing now.