“Did you hear? Mr. Ellsworth went on a date!” Mrs. Block leaned in, lowering her voice as she whispered to Little Nina, “Your Miss White heard Mr. Ellsworth was meeting someone, and she was so upset she cried!”
“What’s a date?” Little Nina tilted her head, genuinely puzzled.
“It means he’s looking for a girlfriend, maybe even a wife. Mr. Ellsworth isn’t getting any younger—it’s about time he settled down!”
Little Nina frowned. “So… will he still come to work today?”
“Oh, of course,” Mrs. Block replied. “Before he left, he told me that if you came by and he wasn’t back yet, I should tell you to wait for him.”
Little Nina nodded and, just as she turned, spotted her mother stepping over the threshold and heading her way.
She was about to say something when, outside the clinic, she caught sight of a man and woman walking side by side.
The man was tall and lean, dressed in a crisp white shirt and black trousers. The setting sun cast a golden glow over his handsome features, making him stand out even more.
He spotted Little Nina and arched a perfect eyebrow at her.
Even from several yards away, Little Nina instantly understood what he meant with just a look.
Her dark eyes sparkled mischievously. Drawing in a breath, she shouted, “Daddy!”
Briony was startled—before she could react, Little Nina had already darted outside.
“Daddy!”
Ferdinand crouched down to scoop Little Nina into his arms.
Watching the scene unfold, Briony couldn’t help but smile knowingly.
The little rascal was helping her dear Mr. Ellsworth ward off unwanted admirers!
Standing next to Ferdinand was a woman dressed in designer clothes, her air unmistakably that of someone from a wealthy family.
She pointed at Little Nina, her tone sharp. “She called you Daddy? You… you have a child?”
Ferdinand, still holding Little Nina, met her gaze. His warm, handsome face radiated such calm that it could put anyone at ease.
“That’s right,” he said easily. “This is my daughter, Little Nina. Little Nina, say hello to the lady.”
“Hello, miss!” Little Nina beamed at the woman, her voice sweet and clear. “Don’t worry, I’m very well-behaved. If you and my daddy get married, I promise I’ll be good and won’t make any trouble!”
The woman’s face twisted in outrage. “I’d have to be out of my mind to become someone’s stepmom!” she snapped. “Liar! Jerk! You could’ve told me you had a daughter and saved me the trouble!”
With that, she spun on her heel and stormed off in a huff.
Ferdinand visibly relaxed, tapping Little Nina’s nose with a grateful smile. “Thank you, Little Nina. You really saved my skin back there.”
“No problem!” Little Nina shot him a cheeky wink. “If you ever need help again, just call me!”
Ferdinand chuckled, still holding her as he carried her back into the clinic.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Regretting the Wife He Threw Away