Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 41 - Chapitre 50

I could tell how genuinely excited Ronald was the moment I picked him up from his friend’s house. Mrs. Loret had been so helpful throughout this entire ordeal, and I made a mental note to treat her or get a thoughtful gift to show my appreciation for how accommodating she had been. Honestly, seeing Ronald’s bright face after a few days brought a wave of relief I didn't know I needed. His bubbly chatter and endless, curious questions lifted my spirits immediately. Yet, as much as he warmed my heart, the quiet thoughts of Charles never left me. Once we returned to the mansion, it didn't take long for Ronald’s boundless energy to run out. After finishing his meal, he drifted off to sleep. I stood by his bedside for a moment, staring down at his peaceful face before quietly stepping out and closing the door behind me. Pulling out my phone as I walked down the hall toward the living room, I sent a quick text to Aaron to confirm that he and Charles had made it back safely. I had pr

Darren's POV A full day passed with everyone buried deep in their work. According to the hospital schedule, the DNA results would be ready by noon tomorrow, which meant we hadn't seen or heard from Evelyn at all over the last twenty-four hours. She was doing a much better job of staying away from Charles than I had anticipated, but I couldn't help hoping she was genuinely holding it together. The past day had been entirely consumed by our efforts to comb through Gale's assets, private investments, and finances—and quite frankly, I had come up empty-handed. There wasn't a single digital footprint or paper trail explaining how he had managed to pull together that kind of massive amount so suddenly. It made the whole situation ten times more suspicious. If the money hadn't originated from his legitimate businesses or his tangled web of shell companies, where on earth had it come from? It was a loose end I desperately wanted to tie up before we met with Evelyn tomorrow, but time w

I kept walking even though I had no idea where my feet were carrying me. I pushed past the hospital entrance, walked right past the surrounding buildings, and just kept moving along the side of the busy road. A hollow numbness settled over me, blocking out any distinct emotion. I had finally gotten my answer, but of course, it wasn't the one I had prayed for. Charles’s face flashed vividly in my mind—the bright, innocent smile he had worn when we last spoke and the foolish hope that had flooded my chest in that moment. A bitter chuckle escaped my lips as I finally let myself sink down onto a wooden bench nearby. What a joke, I whispered to myself, letting out another dry laugh. I was a complete fool for believing that things would fall into place this easily. They had kept my biological son hidden away from me for years, so expecting to find him after only a few months of searching was pure greed, wasn't it? I had been so desperate to leave Gale that I had convinced myself Charles

I had been sitting across from Charles for what felt like an eternity, though in reality, barely a minute had passed. The moment we stepped into the mansion, the three men had quietly shown me to the guest room and walked away without a word. I had lingered outside the door for a few seconds before pushing it open... only to freeze in silence once I saw him. He was still wearing his bright, cheerful smile, and for some reason, that simple expression made my heart ache far more than before. I knew I couldn't stay silent forever, yet I had no idea how to deliver the truth. Reaching out, I gently took his small hands in mine. "You must be wondering why I've been so quiet, huh?" I asked softly. To my surprise, he shook his head. "I was told back at the facility that when someone is being quiet, it just means they have a lot on their mind. I was taught right, wasn't I?" he asked, his smile never wavering. I couldn't help but nod. "I had a lot on my mind, but hearing you talk now

I returned home to a completely silent, empty house. Given the endless thoughts racing through my mind, I was extremely grateful for the quiet. I knew Gale had sent a text earlier—likely explaining his whereabouts and why the house was vacant—but I couldn't bring myself to care enough to check my phone. Walking into the room, I collapsed flat onto the bed, my gaze immediately locking onto the ceiling. A heavy, lingering sigh escaped my lips after a few seconds, but it brought no comfort. Every single worry, every lingering doubt, remained as clear and demanding as ever. My thoughts drifted aimlessly from Charles to Gale, before finally settling on the Blackwood partners. I was trying my absolute best to accept that I had to endure a much longer wait before finding my son. What I couldn't reconcile, however, was the probability that Gale had deliberately planted a false trail—as if stealing my child and keeping him hidden for years wasn't monstrous enough. I was rapidly approaching