Chapter 547

Owen had been dreaming of a great-grandchild for years.

Victor? A complete disappointment. He was well past the age most people would settle down, yet still had no interest in marriage. Sure, he was finally dating someone, but as a movie star, who knew when he’d actually tie the knot?

Jack was even more of a wildcard, wandering all over the globe. If it hadn’t been for Joshua’s accident, Owen doubted he’d have seen him return to Basterel at all.

As for Jenny, Owen didn’t put much pressure on her. She still had two older brothers ahead of her in line.

Truth be told, if Joshua hadn’t been engaged since childhood, if he hadn’t met Shermaine, Owen was pretty sure the boy would’ve stayed single forever.

Of all his grandchildren, Joshua was the one he worried about most. All Owen had ever wanted was to see him settle down and have a family. Now, finally, that wish had come true. The wedding had happened, and now they even had a baby.

Owen never could’ve imagined that after vanishing two years ago, the two of them would return not just safe, but with a child in their arms. “How old is Gracie now?” he asked.

“Five months,” Shermaine replied. They had spent over a year in the Kingdom of Xypería. Though time moved a bit differently there compared to Earth, with things running slightly faster on this side, it hadn’t caused much of a gap.

Owen looked down at Gracie, a delighted warmth swelling in his chest. “That’s her nickname, right? Have you picked a full name yet?”

“Not yet,” Shermaine said, “Josh and I were thinking we’d wait till we got home. We wanted you and Grandma to name her.”

“Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go to Jean Villa,” Owen said without missing a beat. He was already imagining himself bringing out the entire list of names he’d saved over the years to find the perfect one for Gracie.

Besides, the Jean family had to be missing Shermaine terribly. She had been abducted as a child and was only reunited with her birth family after more than a decade. And just when they had her back, she disappeared again for two whole years. They had suffered the most.

Now that Shermaine was officially his granddaughter-in-law and had returned with Joshua, the fact that they came to the York residence first, just to bring him the good news, already meant the world to him.

“Logan, get the car. We’re heading to Jean Villa,” Owen called out.

Logan lit up. “On it!”

Owen added quickly, “Sheary, don’t tell Janice you’re back. Let’s surprise her.”

Shermaine smiled and nodded.

At the movie theater, Ross and Danielle were watching a newly released sci-fi film.

The place was packed.

Their seats were right in the middle—roomy and cozy, part of a screening room designed especially for couples.

Ross wasn’t a fan of popcorn, but he kept feeding Danielle bite after bite.

She leaned against him, Ross’ jacket draped over her lap. The theater was a bit cold, so he had insisted she cover up with it.

They were actually watching the movie, not just pretending to. Danielle was totally immersed. Eventually, though, all the popcorn made her thirsty. “Ross, I need some water,” she whispered.

Ross handed her the hot drink he’d brought, and she sipped from the straw. Once she’d had enough, she let it go and leaned in to kiss him on the cheek in thanks.

They weren’t trying to be showy, but the sweetness radiating off them was impossible to miss. Everyone in the room could feel it.

And with their public profiles, it didn’t take long for someone to recognize them.

Sure enough, photos of the two of them on their movie date were already circulating online.

Some gossip blogs had been clinging to the narrative that Ross was cheating. Now, that claim was crumbling fast. The rumor mill had no choice but to back off.

Midway through the film, Danielle needed to use the restroom. She let Ross know, grabbed her purse, and headed out.

“Ms. Shelly, restroom’s to the right when you exit, and then straight down two hundred yards and take a left,” an usher at the door said warmly as she stepped into the hallway.

Danielle gave a polite smile. “Thanks.”

After she finished, she stepped up to the sink to wash her hands and touch up her lipstick.

As she looked into the mirror, she suddenly felt like someone was standing just outside the door. She turned to glance that way. She couldn’t see the person clearly, but she caught a glimpse of someone’s legs—black pants, standing just past the entrance.

She slung her purse over her shoulder and walked out. The hallway was quiet. Whoever had been there was already gone.