Chapter 3

Nolan braced himself against the edge of the bed and struggled to his feet. Then he suddenly spoke.

"Dad," he said suddenly. "I don't want the shares you promised me anymore. Please don't be angry."

Julianna panicked. "Nolan, don't make a decision like this just because you're upset!"

"Mom, I'm not acting out of anger." Nolan looked at me, the last glimmer of hope still lingering in his eyes. "As long as Dad agrees to take back what he said about disowning me, I'll give up everything."

Half an hour later, the equity relinquishment agreement arrived.

Nolan signed his name without hesitation. He pushed the agreement toward me, his eyes red. "Dad, do you believe me now? I don't want the company or the shares."

My mother wiped at her tears, her heart breaking. "Landon, did you see that? Nolan is even willing to give up his position as the Brooks family heir. What more do you expect him to do to prove himself?"

My mother continued, "He's already given up the shares. Surely that's enough for you now? Take back what you said immediately. Stop breaking this child's heart."

I picked up the agreement and confirmed that Nolan had signed it. At last, my expression softened slightly.

Nolan had been watching me the entire time. When he noticed the change in my expression, a fleeting look of relief crossed his eyes.

Just then, someone pushed open the hospital room door.

Dr. Aaron Henderson, the associate chief physician responsible for my kidney transplant, walked in.

"Mrs. Brooks, the expedited paternity test results you requested are ready."

Julianna shot me a furious glare before snatching the envelope and pulling out the report. After glancing at it, she rushed to my bedside with red eyes and hurled the report at my face.

"Isn't this what your whole performance was about? You suspected Nolan wasn't your biological son! Look at the results! He's your biological son!

"Landon, I've been married to you for over twenty years and have never done anything to betray you. If you don't trust me, fine. But how could you doubt the son you've raised for eighteen years, your own flesh and blood?"

Dr. Henderson gave me a contemptuous look before leaving the room.

Immediately, murmurs and whispers filled the room.

My mother leaned on her cane, her face full of disappointment. "The evidence is right in front of you. What else do you have to say? I've watched my grandson grow up with my own eyes. How could there be any doubt about who he is? You've truly gone mad."

Nolan lowered his head and spoke hoarsely, "Dad, I don't blame you for suspecting me."

His words brought tears to more eyes in the room.

Julianna shoved the paternity test report back into my hands. "Nolan is your biological son, and he's the one who donated his kidney to you. To put your mind at ease, he even signed away his rights to the shares. Surely you can stop being so suspicious now!"

I suddenly laughed. "So what if he's my biological son?"

With everyone watching, I crumpled the report into a ball and threw it into the trash.

Julianna stared at me in disbelief. "Landon, have you lost your mind?"

I picked up the equity relinquishment agreement Nolan had already signed and handed it to Robert, who had just arrived at the hospital room.

"Proceed with the disownment arrangements I asked for."

Robert accepted the document with a serious expression. "Mr. Brooks, are you certain?"

"Absolutely."

Nolan stared at me, and for the first time, a crack appeared in the wounded expression he'd been wearing. "Dad, the paternity test results are already here. Why are you still doing this?"

I met his gaze. "Because whether you're my biological son or not, I've made up my mind to cut ties with you."