Chapter 1144

Annika watched Hattie charm everyone with her warm demeanor and couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness. There was something truly comforting about having your own family around, the way Hattie genuinely cared for Ms. Josefina was heartwarming. Annika felt a wave of relief wash over her, no longer anxious or on edge. Life was good.

Josefina stood in front of the mirror, staring at the hickey on her neck.

"Oliver, are you part werewolf or something? Look at my neck! My mom's dropping by with lunch. How am I supposed to face her like this?"

She was about to dab on some concealer when Oliver strolled in with a turtleneck sweater.

"Here, wear this. It'll cover everything."

Josefina sighed, "Oliver, you're something else," she said, taking the sweater and heading to the bathroom, locking the door behind her.

Oliver chuckled, leaning against the door, "Josie, do we really need to lock doors between us? There's not a part of you I haven't seen."

Josefina called back, "Oliver, just zip it!"

She was mortified.

Just then, Oliver heard the front door open and turned to see Hattie and Annika standing there.

Oliver froze.

The usually composed, high-powered CEO suddenly wished for a hole to crawl into. Trying to play it cool, he said, "Mom, Annika, you're here."

Hattie awkwardly scratched her head, while Annika busied herself looking everywhere but at Oliver, suddenly finding everything else in the room fascinating.

Oliver's discomfort was almost tangible.

From the bathroom, Josefina could hear the clunky, awkward exchange. It was as dry and hard to swallow as a stale biscuit. She even suspected Hattie and Annika were about to give Oliver a piece of their mind.

Deciding to face the music, Josefina stepped out of the bathroom, the turtleneck successfully hiding the hickey.

"Mom, Annika, you're here," she greeted them with a bright smile, her eyes sparkling.

Annika quickly set the breakfast she'd brought on the table. Hattie called Josefina over to eat, and Oliver joined her at the table. Hattie decided to sit down too, making it a family meal.

Annika couldn't sit still and busied herself by washing Josefina's laundry.

Hattie then turned to Oliver, "If work's calling you, you should go. I'll stay with Josie. She's expecting and needs her rest."

Oliver felt a slight twitch in his hand, reading between the lines of Hattie's suggestion. Was she hinting that he should ease up on being, well, overly affenate with Josie? Feeling the pressure, Oliver considered heading back to the office.

He put down his fork, keeping his expression neutral, "Thanks, Mom. I do have a morning meeting. I'll get going."

This meal felt like quite the tightrope walk.

After Oliver left, Josefina nearly laughed, "Mom, you're making me blush here."

Hattie smiled warmly, "Josie, you

should take what I say to heart. You can't just let Oliver run wild. Menè sometimes lack self-control, and we have to help them with that fall else fails, a cold shower does wonders."

Josefina's cheeks flushed a deep red. She'd never had this kind of talk before.

Seeing her daughter's

embarrassment, Hattie continued

gently, "Now that you're expecting everything revolves around you and. the baby. Even though you're in great shape and past the risky phase, you still need to be careful."

Josefina nodded quietly, understanding.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. It wasn't time for the doctor, so who could

it be?