Chapter 142

Felix Roland hung up the phone, a mischievous grin still playing on his lips. He glanced at his petite girlfriend curled up on the couch, clutching her stomach, and casually tossed his jacket over her.

"Sweetheart, I need to make an important call."

The moment the line connected, he blurted out, "Ethan Roscente, congratulations! You're going to be a father!"

Ethan was reviewing documents in his office when the words made his pen halt, ink bleeding across the paper. "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"Don't play dumb." Felix chuckled suggestively. "Emily Laurent is pregnant. No wonder you were so smug yesterday—fatherhood suits you."

The pen slammed onto the desk with a sharp crack. Ethan shot to his feet, two buttons of his suit popping open. "Say that again."

The hospital room reeked of antiseptic. Sophia Lowell pushed the door open to find Theodore Orlando propped against the pillows, his face as pale as parchment.

"Professor, you're awake?" She hurried to the bedside. "Should I call the doctor?"

Theodore waved her off, his gaze sliding past her to his daughter. "Thanks to this devoted child, I nearly met my maker ahead of schedule."

"Dad..." Vivian Valdemar twisted her fingers, eyes rimmed red.

Sophia gently pressed Theodore's IV-pierced hand. "Professor, you're about to become a grandfather. This is a happy occasion." She lowered her voice. "Vivian is pregnant. She shouldn't be stressed."

"Happy?" Theodore scoffed. "I raised this girl for twenty years, and some boar rooted up my cabbage without even asking!"

Vivian's tears splattered onto the sheets. Sophia shot her a look, urging her to seize the moment.

"Think about it," Sophia whispered near the old man's ear. "A chubby little grandchild calling you 'Grandpa,' toddling after you..."

The stern lines of Theodore's face softened slightly. Sophia pressed her advantage. "Scolding Vivian won't change anything. Focus on recovering so you can hold that baby."

The professor sighed heavily, his conflicted eyes returning to his daughter. "I just worry this child will burden you..."

"Dad!" Vivian threw herself against the bed, tears soaking the blanket. "I was wrong... I've missed you every single day these past two years..."

Theodore turned his face away, but not before Sophia caught the glimmer in his eyes. "You'll be the death of me..."