Mr. CEO's Substitute Bride

During the pregnancy, Violet Zimmerman put on quite a bit of weight. She used to be that kind of delicate woman whose shoulders couldn’t carry anything; now she was a whole size heavier than before.

Joseph Lancaster was lean-looking. Among all the Lancaster Family men, aside from Daemon Lancaster being a bit sturdier, the rest were the type who just couldn’t get fat no matter what they ate.

Even as a man, carrying a woman who weighed over a hundred pounds down two flights of stairs was clearly tiring. Feeling Joseph Lancaster flagging a bit, Violet asked in a low voice, "Am I too heavy? Put me down."

Daxton Lancaster lifted his phoenix eyes and met Violet’s gaze, only saying three words, "You’ve worked hard."

There was unmistakable tenderness in the man’s phoenix eyes. As soon as he finished speaking, before Violet could react, he brushed a kiss against her lips, a light, dragonfly touch that made a soft sound.

Violet turned her face toward the outside, the tips of her ears burning.

After watching the baby in the ward for a while, Daxton finally thought of his mother, and strode out of the room, planning to go bring Violet back.

At the end of the corridor, his younger brother Joseph was walking toward them, carrying his wife.

Seeing Daxton come out of the ward, Joseph hurriedly smiled and called for help, "Bro, come over and carry your wife. Sis-in-law is way too heavy."

Joseph said it on purpose, worried his big brother Daxton might overthink things, but when the words reached Violet’s ears, they sounded very different.

Just now he’d been sweet-talking her, saying she’d worked hard, and in the blink of an eye he was嫌弃她 for being heavy.

She immediately spoke with a trace of emotion, "Put me down, I can walk on my own."

Daxton was already striding quickly over. Joseph pushed the woman in his arms into his big brother’s embrace. "Bro, the doctor just told us Sis-in-law should move as little as possible. Otherwise if the wound splits open again, she’ll suffer for it."

"I know." Daxton took Violet from him, turned, and headed back toward the ward in big strides.

Watching the couple’s backs, Joseph let out a long breath.

He paused only briefly, then quickly followed; he still hadn’t even gotten a proper look at his own son yet.

...

Joseph stood in front of the baby’s crib, gazing at the little fellow sleeping inside, his brows and eyes softened.

He asked his mother, who was also watching her grandson, in a quiet voice, "Mom, can I touch him?"

"Be gentle, don’t wake the baby." With her own grandson, Lorelei Howard liked him more the longer she looked.

"Okay."

Joseph answered softly, then bent his index finger and rested it on the little fellow’s face, gently rubbing.

The little guy was sound asleep, but feeling something moving on his face, he opened his tiny mouth.

Seeing how adorable the little fellow looked, the curve of Joseph’s lips lifted even higher.

Women who’ve just given birth always feel like they need to use the bathroom. Violet was being carried to the restroom by Daxton, leaving only the four generations in the ward.

"Let’s go, eldest daughter-in-law, we should head back too. We’ll bring over whatever mother and son need later."

The old master stood up. The baby had come early, and they’d rushed to the hospital, so they hadn’t had time to bring a lot of things.

"But Daxton and Violet stepped out. If we all leave, who’s going to watch my grandson?"

Joseph suggested, "Mom, you and Dad take Grandpa back. I’ll stay for now, and when the driver comes over with the things, I’ll go back with him."

"All right then, you stay. We’ll head back first, and I’ll come over again later."

Lorelei Howard and her husband supported the old master together. The three of them had just stepped out of the ward when Joseph carefully picked up the sleeping baby.

He pressed his lips lightly to the baby’s face in a soft kiss and murmured, "Welcome to this world, my child."