Chapter 2

Perhaps sensing my gaze, Joseph looked up at me.

By the time I reacted, he was already standing in front of me, punching me in the shoulder.

"Buddy, you finally made it! I've been waiting forever."

"Justin, come here, this is the godfather I told you about. Say hello!"

Joseph smiled and pushed the little boy toward me.

Sabrina walked over and stood beside Joseph. As if something had suddenly occurred to her, she frowned and seemed to explain.

"Back when the baby was born and needed a name, this was the first one that came to mind."

The corner of my mouth twitched.

Back then, before Sabrina was diagnosed as infertile, I had always wanted a child so badly that I'd even picked out a name for him.

Justin.

To meet and know each other, eyes meeting, hearts pledged.

What I never imagined was that, years later, my best friend and the woman I loved would have a child, and that their child's name was even one I had chosen.

A strange sense of absurdity welled up from deep inside me.

Seeing that I stayed silent, Joseph stepped forward, his face full of guilt.

"Wilfred, are you angry?"

"Hiding it from you really was wrong of me, and I apologize, but Rina and I are truly in love."

"You're my best friend. Can you give us your blessing?"

I looked up.

Right now Joseph's eyes were full of pride and showing off.

I lowered my head, my gaze falling on my left hand.

There was a scar there that ran all the way up my arm.

Three years ago.

Joseph had called me late one night, saying he was drunk but had an emergency, and asked me to come get him in Bristol.

Without a word, I drove to Bristol.

On our way back, we were suddenly caught in a mudslide, and by the time I realized what was happening, a boulder was already hurtling straight at Joseph.

No time to think, I threw myself over him and shielded him.

Ever since, my left arm was left disabled, unable to bear anything heavy.

Following my gaze, Joseph gave a soft sigh, as if recalling it.

"Actually, three years ago, the emergency I mentioned was that Rina had accidentally miscarried, and I was rushing back to see her."

"Mostly I was really worried about Rina's health. Before this second child, she'd already miscarried three."

As if something struck me, I abruptly looked up at Sabrina and opened my mouth to speak, but the woman nodded and said casually,

"That's right."

"All three I lost were yours."

"Honestly, I never really wanted to have children with you."

"After all, your family has bad genes. I was afraid a baby would turn out like your mother, prone to mental illness."

My heart felt like it was being clenched hard by an invisible hand.

"All right!" Joseph stepped forward and threw his arm around me, just like the old days.

"From now on the three of us will live well together."

"I've already talked it over with Rina. The second child will take your surname, and from now on we'll be the happiest family of five."

It was even more absurd.

But Sabrina smiled and hooked her arm through Joseph's, her tone very gentle.

"Joseph really is the most thoughtful."

With that,

the woman looked up at me, her voice utterly displeased.

"You've had a sour face this whole time. Who are you putting on that face for?"

"You and Joseph are good friends. Can't you learn something from him?"

"Wilfred Rowe, you're a grown man—what are you making a fuss about?"

From the moment I walked in until now, I clearly hadn't said a single word, yet she said I was making a fuss.

I gave a sarcastic twitch of my lips.

Pushing down the turmoil inside me, I turned and walked away.

But behind me the little boy grabbed my hand, tilted his head up at me, and said,

"Godfather, I want a horsey ride!"