Chapter 498
Chapter 498:
Since he had assisted them with their shopping bags, Loretta invited him over for a meal. Seeing the exact opportunity he had craved, Stewart accepted without hesitation.
It was his first time stepping into Gabriela’s home.
The villa was old, its façade showing its years, yet the inside was warm and lived-in, toys scattered across the living room floor like bright little footprints of childhood.
But one thing snagged at his mind: Wesley’s grandmother living under Gabriela’s roof.
Loretta had explained it away, saying she was simply helping care for a child, but it still didn’t make sense.
Gabriela already had a housekeeper, and Farley and Ken were both capable of lending a hand. Why would she need Loretta here?
Still, Stewart chose not to press. His attention drifted back to Gabriela and to the baby nestled in her arms.
“Gabriela,” he asked lightly, curiosity flickering in his tone, “is this Ms. Ortiz’s child p>
A flicker of hesitation passed over Gabriela’s face before she gave a small nod. Drawn closer, Stewart leaned in and gently tapped the baby’s plump cheek, his expression softening at the sight. The little one was disarmingly adorable.
𝖥о𝘭l𝗈𝗐 𝘂𝗌 𝗼ո ѕ.𝖼o𝘮
“May I hold him?” he asked.
Gabriela wavered.
Stewart, exuding an air of wealth, was a man who had grown up with everything handed to him. Could someone like him really know the first thing about cradling a child?
“You just came in from outside,” Gabriela said firmly. “Please, wash your hands first p>
Stewart blinked, then gave a soft laugh. “Of course p>
He dutifully washed, even spritzing disinfectant at her insistence, before Gabriela cautiously placed Truett in his arms.
The baby squirmed, shifting against the unfamiliar embrace. Stewart stiffened, holding him awkwardly.
Then a sudden chill spread down his sleeve.
His throat tightened. “Gabriela, why is my sleeve wet? Did p>
Gabriela quickly took Truett and checked.
Sure enough, the little one had relieved himself again.
With a half-laugh, half-sigh, she scolded gently, “You little rascal! You just pooped, and now you’ve peed on our guest p>
She’d let him go without a diaper for a moment after the last change, never expecting him to pick that exact time to strike again.
Truett only blinked up at her with wide, innocent eyes, babbling as if amused by his own trick.
“Sorry, Mr. Williams,” Gabriela said with an apologetic smile. “I need to change him now p>
Loretta stepped in, scooping the child into her arms. “I’ll take care of him. You deal with Stewart’s clothes p>
With Miriam and Farley trailing after her, Loretta disappeared upstairs, leaving Gabriela and Stewart alone in the living room.
Stewart’s sleeve was damp, his shirt front darkened in patches.
Gabriela bit her lip. “Mr. Williams, would you like to take off your jacket? I can clean it for you,” she asked awkwardly.
Stewart slipped off his jacket, only to reveal that his crisp white shirt beneath was also damp.
Worse yet, a faint sprinkle had reached his trousers as well.
The situation grew all the more awkward.
Catching Gabriela’s flustered expression, Stewart felt something stir inside him.
It was rare to see her caught off guard like this.
He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “My shirt’s wet too. What should I do p>
The sudden proximity made her pulse quicken. The masculine scent that clung to Stewart was nothing like Wesley’s sharp, dominating presence. He carried a gentler fragrance, warm and understated, yet it lingered in the air and sent her heart racing all the same.
Gabriela instinctively took several steps back. “There’s a shop nearby. I’ll go get you some new clothes p>
As she hurried off, Stewart’s lips curved into a quiet chuckle.
She was simply adorable.
As his gaze followed her retreating figure, his usually mild, gentle eyes darkened with determination.
A single desire seared through his mind: to win her heart.