Chapter 14
544words
Nolan approached Owen's bed, studying the sleeping child. In the dim light, Owen looked impossibly fragile, but his breathing was steady, his face peaceful.
"Is he okay?" Nolan asked, a hint of genuine concern breaking through his controlled tone.
"He slept through everything, thankfully," I replied, watching Nolan carefully.
Nolan nodded, visible relief crossing his face. He continued studying Owen, something unreadable in his eyes.
"I'm posting guards outside this room 24/7," Nolan said after a moment. "Emma's been arrested, but her father has connections. She could make bail quickly."
A chill ran down my spine. Emma was clearly unhinged, willing to murder a child to get what she wanted. What wouldn't she do?
"Thank you for the protection," I said sincerely. "But... why help us? You made it clear you don't believe Owen is yours."
Nolan was quiet for a long moment. "Like I said, regardless of who his father is, Owen is an innocent child. He shouldn't suffer for our problems."
His words touched something deep inside me. Even at his most distant, Nolan retained his fundamental decency. It was one of the reasons I'd fallen for him in the first place.
"I've ordered a DNA test," Nolan said abruptly, catching me completely off guard. "Results should be back soon."
I froze, uncertain how to respond. He was finally seeking the truth. But what would happen when he had it? If Owen was proven to be his son, would he embrace us? Or push us even further away?
"Whatever the results show, I'll continue covering Owen's medical expenses until he's fully recovered," Nolan continued, his voice steady. "You have my word on that."
"Thank you," I said simply, at a loss for anything more meaningful.
Nolan nodded and turned to leave. At the doorway, he paused, his back still to me. "Chloe, if... if Owen truly is my son, I need to know why. Why keep him from me for five years?"
His question cut deep. He deserved an explanation, but was he ready to hear the whole painful truth?
"If the test confirms what I've told you, I'll explain everything," I promised. "The whole truth about why I kept it from you."
Nolan didn't acknowledge my words, just walked away, leaving me alone with my sleeping son and a heart full of conflicting emotions.
Emma was arrested, but as Nolan predicted, her father's influence secured her quick release on bail. However, Nolan's security team maintained a constant presence outside our room, ensuring she couldn't get anywhere near Owen.
Three days later, Nolan appeared at the hospital with an envelope in hand. His face remained impassive, but something flickered in his eyes—something I couldn't quite identify.
"The results are in," he said simply, extending the envelope toward me.
With trembling fingers, I took it, my heart hammering against my ribs. Though I already knew what it would say, this moment felt monumental.
"Have you... looked at it yet?" I asked, barely above a whisper.
Nolan nodded, his face a carefully controlled mask. "99.9999% match. Owen is my son."
