Divorced, But Queen - Chapter 189: Chapter 189

So she proposed marriage, a test with a hint of real feeling. He refused—no surprise there.
So Cloe made her final move. If there was no child, she'd let go. But then came Maisie.
When Aria heard all this, she was both amazed and helpless. "You're braver than I thought."
Cloe shrugged. "I don't regret it."
Aria nodded. "How could you? Look at her—Maisie's adorable."
Cloe lowered her voice, "It really was my fault, so don't go beating him up, okay?"
Aria gave a half-smile. "Do I look like someone who'd lose it over nothing?"
The two women exchanged a quiet laugh.
The rain eased, and the tension in the room finally broke.
Emma took the initiative, turning to Maisie. "Hello, Maisie, I'm Emma—you can call me Grandma."
Maisie blinked. "But isn't a grandma supposed to be Mommy's mom? Are you my mom's mom?"
Emma laughed. "Not yet, but it's just a name. Don't worry about it."
Maisie nodded. "Okay—Grandma."
James raised his hand. "And I'm Grandpa!"
"Grandpa!" Maisie chirped, then glanced at Owen. "And who's that handsome guy who keeps sneaking peeks at Aria? Is he her boyfriend?"
Suddenly, all eyes turned to Owen—including Aria's. He didn't have time to look away. Their eyes met. Silence fell.
Emma's eyes went wide. Was Owen finally interested in someone?
Others might not see it, but Aria realized Owen was watching to make sure she didn't punch Kim.
Kim stood quietly in the corner, gaze flickering between Cloe and Maisie.
He kept replaying the day Cloe left—the way she'd gone out of her way to seduce him, ignoring her own exhaustion, almost desperate to get pregnant.
If she wanted to use the child to force marriage, why run away? Cloe avoided his eyes, sighing inwardly.
When she first learned she was pregnant, her grandfather had cancer, and Mandino City had the best doctors. She had to stay.
The medical bills were crushing, so she started Amour Bistro.
By the time the restaurant was thriving, her grandfather had passed.
When she first ran into Kim, she'd gone out of her way to irritate him, hoping he'd never come to Amour Bistro again.
She knew he owned Yellan Club and deliberately avoided him, splurging on male hosts to keep him away.
She thought maybe, if she pissed him off enough, he'd lose interest. But it didn't work.
Owen smiled and said, "You can call me Uncle."
Maisie asked, wide-eyed, "If I call you Uncle, does that mean I can't take you as Aria's husband?"
Owen hesitated, speechless.
Emma quickly stepped in. "You can if Owen's lucky enough!"
Aria rolled her eyes—Emma was already trying to play matchmaker.
Kim broke in, "Today's Maisie's birthday. Since everyone's here, why not stay and celebrate?"
The paternity test wasn't even back, but Kim already accepted Maisie as his daughter.
Emma looked at them hopefully. "What do you say?"
Maisie shook her head. "We're not close yet. I want to celebrate with Mommy and Aria."
Emma smiled. "Of course, sweetheart. Whatever you want."
As the three were leaving, Kim moved to follow, but Emma stopped him. "Owen, you go—walk them out and celebrate with Maisie. You live across the hall from Aria anyway, right? Keep them company on the way."
Owen nodded and followed along.
Kim looked confused. "Mom, that's my daughter. Why are you sending him?"
Emma grinned. "You sure are chatty today! Ask yourself: do you just want a daughter, or do you want a wife and child?"
As Owen caught up, Aria said, "I drove here, no need to walk us out."
Owen replied, "I promised my mom I'd help Maisie celebrate. I can't go against her wishes."
He looked at Maisie. "Maisie, is it okay if I join you?"
Maisie, who loved handsome guys, grinned. "Of course!"