A Replacement Bride

Chapter 259

The look on Jayden's face changed immediately. His smile stiffened up, but he kept it on. Warmly, he said, "Yes. We've been out of touch these few years, but we were good friends."

"I see." Jennifer nodded. She then tilted her head to the side and smiled while muttering, "It's been a few eventful years. Kathy's been out of touch with a lot of her old friends. I don't mind them meeting up occasionally. Everyone's living their own lives now, and they can share some stories." She looked like she was reminded of something, and then she asked, "Oh, Jayden, are you married?" This is property © NôvelDrama.Org.

The question caught him by surprise. It took him a while to react, and he shook his head. "I'm not."

"Do you have a girlfriend, then?"

Jayden shook his head. "No."

"Huh?" Jennifer put on a look of surprise. "Oh, but you're so handsome. You must be a ladies' man, and yet you're still single?"

Jayden turned his gaze to Katherine instinctively. Something shone within his eyes, and he turned his attention back to Jennifer.

"Mrs. Olsen, actually—"

Jennifer didn't let him finish. She happily interrupted, "Jayden, if you're still single, I can match you up with a lady. Want to give it a try?"

The proposal surprised Jayden, and he quickly waved his hands. "It's alright, Mrs. Olsen. That's alright."

He tried his best to remain courteous as he relaxed his jaw and said with a smile, "We can't force a relationship. I'd like to go with the flow, and I believe fate has everything in store for me. If I like someone, I will try my best to woo her."

Everyone else would have thought nothing of that statement, but not the people in the room. Jennifer had seen a lot in her life. She had overheard the conversation between Jayden and Joaquin before coming in, and she knew something was off.

So, she came in and kept making small talk so Jayden would stay away from Katherine. At the same time, she wanted to help the kids. She got what Jayden was trying to say, and she retaliated easily.

"Well, you're right. You don't want to leave any regrets in your life. Of course, you need to woo the ones you like." She acknowledged Jayden's statement, but then she added, "On the condition that the lady feels the same about you. If she doesn't harbor any feelings for you, your efforts will be for nothing. And even if you wish to woo a lady, you need to make sure you aren't hurting anyone. If you try to woo a lady who's in love with someone else, or worse, a taken or married woman, you will be nothing but a homewrecker."

She emphasized the last word, and Jayden's face fell.

But Jennifer's eyes never left him. She noticed the change in his expression, and she smiled. Then she turned around and held Katherine's hand, patting it. "But you got one part right. You can't force a relationship. You have to go with the flow. Take Kathy and Joaquin for example."

She's dragging me into this? Katherine was a little speechless. "Grandma!"

Jennifer ignored her protests. Instead, she kept smirking at Jayden. "Kathy and Joaquin are fated to be together. They ran into each other five years ago by chance, and now they're married because of a promise. They get along well, and now they're in love with each other. A match made in heaven, I'd say."

Grandma, you're embarrassing me!

Jennifer turned to Joaquin and tossed the ball into his court. "Don't you think so, Joaquin?"

Oh ho. Jennifer is friendlier than usual. She's trying to help me out, eh? A smile curled his lips. Right in front of Jayden, Joaquin gave Katherine a loving look, and his smile broadened. "Jennifer's right. Fate works in magical ways. My fate has been intertwined with Kathy's since a long time ago. I'm honored that I can raise a family with her. And I'm blessed." He enunciated every word slowly, injecting all the love he could into his statement.

For some reason, the passionate look and promise Joaquin gave Katherine made her heart thump. She couldn't even look him in the eye. Something felt weird. She felt a little embarrassed.

Jayden's face fell. He was already annoyed by what Jennifer and Joaquin said, and seeing this scene now was unacceptable for him. He thought Joaquin and Katherine's relationship was nothing but a marriage of convenience. He thought it was a weak bond, but they proved otherwise.

Jennifer wouldn't stop irritating Jayden. She beamed and said, "See, Jayden? Even though Kathy and Joaquin's paths diverged initially, they still found each other in the end. You'll find your lady in due time."

He wanted to protest but this wasn't the time, so he forced a smile. "Thanks, Mrs. Olsen."

Then, an awkward silence fell over the room. Even the air seemed to freeze. Whoops. I have to move. Jennifer moved to the ward's entrance. "You're here to see Noah, aren't you? I'll take you to her." She then shot Katherine a look. "You stay here and look after Joaquin, Kathy. Keith and I will keep an eye on Noah. Don't you worry about her."

Jayden was reluctant, but he still had to leave with Jennifer.

And then there were two. Joaquin cocked his eyebrow, his eyes lit up with delight.

Once again, Katherine was speechless. "I can't believe you just said something so mushy."