Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess novel Chapter 1012

Rowan chuckled awkwardly. "Cole, it's funny you mention me. You've got yourself a whole family overseas now, that's pretty impressive."

Cole beamed as he introduced his family. "Meet my wife, Makiko, my eldest son, Wilder, and my eldest daughter, Sandi. Our youngest is studying abroad. She's got exams coming up, so I haven't shared the news with her yet."

Cole's family greeted everyone warmly, blending right into the lively gathering.

Oliver, ever the gentleman, poured Josefina a cup of hot tea as they sat together.

Brandon, with a touch of longing, softly asked, "Cole, if you knew I was searching for you, why didn’t you come back? It’s been so tough trying to find you all these years."

Cole's face was clouded with guilt. "Dad, after I ran away, I got mixed up with some bad folks. They dumped me on a ship, had me working like a dog. Eventually, I ended up in Japan, lost and even had a bout of amnesia. It wasn’t until recently, when you sent people to find me, that my memories started coming back."

Makiko added in English, "My husband's head injury caused him to lose his past memories."

"Dad, I regret being so impulsive back then. I shouldn't have acted out."

Brandon sighed deeply, "Ah, you've always been headstrong since you were a kid. But now that you're here, I can finally relax."

"Dad, let's not dwell on that. Let me toast to you."

Cole raised his glass, and Brandon followed. Everyone joined in, laughter and the clinking of glasses filling the room as they enjoyed their meal.

Meanwhile, Oliver was doting on Josefina, making sure her plate was full, pouring her soup, even peeling shrimp for her.

Josefina eyed the crab longingly.

Oliver whispered, "Stick with the shrimp for now."

Josefina sighed internally. Pregnant women shouldn't eat crab, she knew. But she promised herself a big crab feast once the baby was born. For now, she popped a shrimp in her mouth, pretending it was crab.

Then Cole spoke up, "Oliver, Josie, I didn’t know you two tied the knot, so I didn’t get a gift. I’ll make sure to pick something nice for you both later."

Brandon nodded, and Rowan gave Oliver a knowing look, but Oliver pretended not to notice.

"Josie, let's head home."

The group said their goodbyes to Cole and left together.

...

In the car on the way back, Josefina was deep in thought.

Oliver, fastening her seatbelt, asked, "What’s on your mind? You’ve seemed a bit off since we left Grandpa’s."

Josefina shared her concern. "Cole’s wife is Japanese, and we found out that Shay's previous associate is also Japanese. Don’t you think that’s quite the coincidence?"