Blind date turned proposal (Josie and Dexter)

Josie didn't understand what her father meant by sacrificing her future.

"How did I ruin anything? I'm here, alive and well, aren't I? Nothing in my life has really changed."

Judging from his solemn expression, Mark was clearly not in the mood for any nonsense. "Tell me, is there any chance left for you and Dexter?"

It was that same question again.

Josie didn't know how to respond, her gaze dropping to her toes.

"Not responding means you're unsure. Are you planning to spend your entire life raising a child alone? What will you do if you meet someone you're fond of in the future? How will you explain the child's existence!"

When it came down to it, Mark was simply worried for Josie. After all, society didn't look favorably upon a young unmarried woman with a child.

"If that person can't even accept my child, I won't be with him!"

"You!"

Overwhelmed and agitated, Mark clutched his chest, trying to catch his breath.

Seeing that, Josie didn't have the heart to provoke him further. She composed herself and said, "That's not what I meant. It's just that the child has been born, so I won't give her up."

She looked into his eyes, articulating each word carefully, "She's quite charming and adorable. If you were to meet her, perhaps you'd take a liking to her too."

Even she herself hadn't realized that deep down, she yearned for Mark's approval.

Mark, however, wasn't buying it. He turned his head away, still in disagreement. "Enough of that, I don't like children."

Given the circumstances, Josie wisely abstained from saying anything more. She picked up the bowl of oatmeal and stood up. "If you don't feel like eating, I'll just throw it away." As she turned away, Mark couldn't help but snap in frustration, "Wait a moment."

She halted.

"Leave it here."

Josie silently curled up the corner of her mouth at how he was still being so stubborn.

After she had set the bowl down, Mark exhaled, then asked, "Does Dexter know you want the child to go by the Warren surname?"

This sensitive subject... Josie pursed her lips and answered, "He does. The name he chose was Philomena, so she'll be Philomena Warren."

Mark shot her a meaningful glance, his words final and decisive. "Don't rush to register the name; it's still up for discussion."

Josie had known he would say that, but now that things had come to this point, there was no point in her rushing. She decided to take it slow.

"I get the feeling I wouldn't succeed even if I were in a hurry anyway."

She assumed they had already spoken to the people at the Home Affairs Bureau.

"Hey, what are you mumbling about?"

"It's nothing."

At that moment, Laura arrived, her hands filled with a variety of items. As she set them down, she said, "Dad, I've brought the essentials. As for the rest, the housekeeper will deliver them later." Upon seeing her, Mark's expression noticeably softened.

The two went off into a lengthy discussion about the arrangements of the Olsen family's business. Josie, uninterested in the conversation, retreated to the small kitchen for breakfast, all the while frequently checking her phone.

The last time she contacted Dexter was about the household registration matter. Beyond that, there was nothing else.

She tossed her phone aside, deeply frustrated.

Normally, he would send a dozen or so messages a day, but today there wasn't even a single one. He must be really upset...

Grabbing her phone, she began to type out a few words before deleting them, then attempted to type again, only to delete them. In the end, she never sent anything.

"What's bothering you? It's rare to see you this anxious."

It was Laura who entered.

Josie pursed her lips, subconsciously turning off her phone. "It's nothing, just some company matters."

"The project has wrapped up, so isn't it time for the handover? Come with me."

Only then did Josie remember this matter. Thinking it was indeed a good idea, she gathered her belongings and left the hospital with Laura.