Chapter 468 No Regrets
Ethan pulled Jayden's business card from his pocket and handed it to Bradley. "When you hit Novaria, give this guy a shout. He's the big boss there. I'll let him know you're coming. Just roll with whatever he says," Ethan said, cool as a cucumber.
"Got it. I'll give it my all and won't let you down. Thanks, man." Bradley nodded, looking all eager. Ethan didn't seem so scary now.
"Ethan, thanks. I'll keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't mess around using your name at the Cloud Group," Michelle chimed in.
"The Cloud Group's packed with my people. Even if he wanted to screw up, he wouldn't get the chance. Honestly, I don't think he's got it in him," Ethan said, half-joking.
Ethan gave Bradley Jayden's card 'cause he had to. He only had Jayden's card on him and didn't have time to set things up himself, so Jayden had to take over.
With Jayden on the job, Ethan felt more chill. Bradley had the skills but not the schooling to get into the Cloud Group. Given their family ties, it made sense to help him out.
"So, is Jared heading to the Cloud Group too?" Bradley suddenly remembered and asked, a bit unsure.
"Jared's not a fit for the Cloud Group. I'll find him a better gig when the time's right. Don't sweat it," Ethan said, shaking his head.
It wasn't like Ethan was playing favorites. He never promised Jared a job, even though it would've been easy for him.
But for Jared, Ethan didn't want to rush things. Everything depended on Jared, especially since he'd been out of the loop for eight years. He needed time to get back in the groove.
Meanwhile, Curtis and Jessie stood a bit apart, awkwardly eyeing each other, not sure how to start talking. Jessie felt bad, and so did Curtis.
"So, when you coming back?" Curtis finally broke the silence after a long pause.
"Soon. I'll head back with Ethan to sort out some family stuff, then return to Novaria. I'll swing by Bankgok whenever I can. Here's my number and address. Hit me up or visit Novaria if you get the chance," Jessie said, quickly handing over a piece of paper with her contact info, clearly ready for this.
"Jessie, I'm sorry," Curtis said, looking at the paper, his eyes suddenly tearing up.
"I should be the one saying sorry. I haven't come back to see you. I know you've been mad at me, and I get it," Jessie said, tears streaming down as memories of Curtis flooded her mind.
The little boy who used to trail her had grown into a man.
Not far off, Ethan glanced over and saw Jessie and Curtis hugging. He couldn't help but smile.
Before leaving, Jessie had finally tied up her last loose end. This trip to Bankgok had been worth it.
After saying goodbye to Curtis's family, Jessie couldn't stop smiling on the way back to Novaria.
That afternoon, Ethan and Jessie rolled back into their villa in Novaria.
Chloe, the gang, and little Camila were all waiting for them at the crib.
They were heading to the Wilson Villa the next day. Chloe and the crew had wrapped up their work, and even Camila had snagged a few days off from kindergarten.
Since the Bankgok trip, Ethan had given Chloe and the others a heads-up that he and Jessie were heading back to their roots. Seeing Jessie all smiles when they got back, everyone crowded around, eager to hear the Bankgok scoop.
Ethan was goofing around with Camila when Jessie called out to him.
"What's up, Mom?" Ethan asked, curious, as he walked over with Camila in his arms.
Jessie grinned at Ethan, while Sarah, Alice, and Hannah looked at him with anticipation. Only Chloe seemed a bit off, her head down, avoiding Ethan's gaze.
"What's with the looks? What's going on?" Ethan asked, scratching his head.
"Let Chloe spill the beans," Jessie said, changing her mind after glancing at Chloe.
"It's nothing major, just, um..." Chloe stammered, her face turning red.
"I'm getting impatient here. Just tell him you're pregnant. What's the big deal?" Sarah blurted out, rolling her eyes.
"Wait, what?" Ethan asked, still not getting it.
"She's pregnant," Jessie said, rolling her eyes at him.
"You're pregnant?" Ethan asked, staring at Chloe in disbelief.
"Yeah, I just found out today. I haven't had my period for two months, and the doc says I'm almost two months along," Chloe explained.
"Two months already? I'm gonna be a dad?" Ethan said, his face lighting up like a Christmas tree. The thrill of becoming a dad for the first time was off the charts.
"You goofball, you're already a dad," Jessie said, rolling her eyes and nodding towards Camila in his arms.
Ethan realized and felt a bit sheepish. Even though Camila wasn't his biological daughter, she was his daughter now, just like his own. Overreacting might make Camila feel left out, which wouldn't be cool.
"Daddy, is Aunt Chloe having a baby? Am I gonna have a little brother?" Camila asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
Everyone let out a sigh of relief. Even biological kids sometimes get jealous about new siblings, worried about sharing the spotlight.
Luckily, Camila seemed more excited and curious than anything, making everyone smile.
"Do you want Aunt Chloe to have a brother or a sister?" Ethan asked, hugging Camila tight.
"One brother and one sister," Camila said, making everyone burst into laughter, leaving Chloe blushing.
"That might be a tall order, having twins, a boy and a girl?" Ethan said, chuckling.
"We have boy-girl twins in our class. They said they were born together. Why can't Aunt Chloe do that?" Camila asked, dead serious.
Everyone cracked up again.
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