Chapter 37

"Daniel!" Ethan Sullivan's eyes crinkled into happy crescents. "I want to pursue your mother. That means I'll be your dad now!"

"Dad..." Daniel Almond repeated the unfamiliar title softly, his eyes gradually dimming.

Ethan nervously rubbed his hands together. "Daniel, do you dislike me? I promise to take good care of you and your mom."

Daniel quickly shook his head. "I like you very much. I'd be happy if you became my dad."

His small fingers secretly tightened around the bedsheet. Though he still missed his biological father, that man had treated Mom terribly. And... his time was running out. Mom needed someone to rely on.

"Really?!" Ethan became incoherent with excitement. "Then... call me Dad right now!"

"Dad!" Daniel's clear voice rang out.

Susan Thompson hastily interrupted. "Daniel, Uncle is fine."

"Susan, you're interfering with the child's freedom!" Ethan declared righteously. "Daniel likes me. Why can't he call me Dad?"

Susan was momentarily speechless.

Daniel tugged her sleeve with damp eyes. "Mommy, I want a dad..."

Susan's heart melted instantly. She could never resist that look from Daniel.

"See? Daniel acknowledges me as his father!" Ethan preened like a peacock spreading its tail.

"Dad will protect you both." He solemnly clasped Daniel's small hand.

Suddenly Daniel said, "Mommy, I want the braised pork from the cafeteria."

After Susan left, Daniel looked seriously at Ethan. "Dad, can you promise me something?"

"Anything!"

"If I'm... not here anymore, please be good to Mommy." Daniel's voice was barely audible. "She works multiple jobs every day to pay for my treatment."

Ethan's nose stung. He roughly ruffled Daniel's hair. "Silly boy, with Dad here, you'll definitely get better!"

When Susan returned, she found both their eyes suspiciously red.

After lunch, Ethan hummed cheerfully as he left the hospital. The moment he got in his car, he excitedly called Andrew Lucas. "Andrew, meet my son tonight! Don't forget a big red envelope!"

He proceeded to call all his friends before finally driving off, thoroughly satisfied.

That evening, Ethan arrived punctually to pick up mother and son. Susan had suggested an ordinary restaurant, but Ethan brought them to the renowned "Elegant Joy."

"This place is too expensive—" Susan froze mid-sentence.

At the end of the hallway, Andrew Lucas was walking toward them arm-in-arm with Nicole Capra.

Ethan immediately scooped up Daniel and swung him proudly. "Andrew, look at my son! Adorable, isn't he?"