Chapter 384
Adam was neck deep in quarterly reports when Irene’s video call lit up his tablet. The spreadsheets vanished with a swipe, replaced by her face framed with damp hair.
“Hey you,” he said, his corporate voice melting into something warmer.
Irene hugged a cushion to her chest, cross–legged on her sofa. “Adam, we need to talk about your mom. If we’re serious about us, her constant disapproval is going to be a problem.”
“What happened?‘ His smile faded as he leaned closer to the screen.
‘She went to see my parents today.” Irene’s fingers twisted the corner of the cushion. “Made it crystal clear she’ll never accept me in your life,
“She did what?” Adam’s eyebrows shot up. “Showed up at the Sterling house? That’s… bold, even for her.”
“Bold is one way to put it. Irene sighed. “I’d go with ‘terrifying.”
Adam ran a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. I had no idea she’d pull something like this.” His voice dropped lower. “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.
“Will you?” Doubt flickered across her face. “Your mother seems pretty set on this whole anyone–but–Irene‘ campaign.
‘Look who’s talking about being stubborn, Adam said with a soft laugh. “You’re forgetting who you’re dealing with. I’ve broken every Haven family rule in the book for you.”
Irene leaned back, her lips curving slightly. “It’s not about trusting you. It’s just… your mother’s basically declared war.”
“And I’m about to shut it down,” he said simply. “Trust me on this. I’ll protect you.”
Those three words–I’ll protect you–hit something deep in Irene’s chest. Her smile broke through like sunshine after rain.
“When you say it like that, I almost believe we can weather anything.” She tilted her head. “You really think you can handle Sophia Haven?”
“Watch me.” His voice held steel beneath the velvet. “You matter more than anything to me. More than family expectations, more than Haven traditions. I
won’t let anyone hurt you.”
“Adam…” Irene’s voice softened. “How do you always know exactly what I need to hear?”
His eyes crinkled at the corners. “There it is–that smile. Worth fighting dragons for.”
Her cheeks flushed pink on the screen. “Since when did you turn into such a smooth talker?”
‘Must be your influence,” he said, tapping his fingers against the desk. “You make me say things I’ve never said to anyone.”
“In that case,” she teased, ‘I should smile more often. For research purposes.”
‘For science, he agreed, his voice warm. “Get some sleep, okay? Tomorrow’s another day, and I’ve got this handled.”
“Mmm, tomorrow then. Night, Adam.”
The moment the call ended, Adam’s smile vanishemas!”
His assistant appeared moments later. “Sir?”
“The DNA results–do we have them?”
Thomas hesitated, then disappeared outside. When he returned, he carried a sealed envelope.
“According to these results, Thomas said carefully, “those three children weren’t lying. They are biologically yours, sir.”
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A ghost of a smile touched Adam’s lips as memories flickered through his mind: Lucas analyzing the chess board with narrowed eyes. Alex’s determina when protecting his siblings. Lily’s expressive hands when telling stories. Little mirrors he’d never recognized.
“This will convince my mother,” he said, tapping the folder against his palm.
His expression suddenly darkened. “Do you remember my back scar? From the fencing club?”
Thomas looked puzzled. “That was… five, maybe six years ago? Second year of university?”
“You took quite a hit protecting me,” Adam nodded.
“The wound healed quickly,” Thomas said. “Why bring this up now? Your scar’s gone too, isn’t it?”
Adam’s eyes grew distant. “Just thinking out loud.”
The next morning, Adam rolled into his parents‘ sunlit living room, the DNA report in his lap. Sophia and Marcus looked up from their coffee, surprise registering on their faces.
“Mom. Dad.” He placed the folder on the table between them. “Before you continue your campaign against Irene, read this.”
They exchanged confused glances before opening the report. The color drained from Sophia’s face.
“Adam,” she whispered, “what is this? Are you saying those children are actually yours?“/
Marcus scowled. “Son, tell me you didn’t fake a DNA report for that woman. This isn’t a game.”
Adam’s knuckles whitened against his wheelchair. “A game? You think I’d joke about something this serious?”
‘What are we supposed to think?” Marcus shot back. “You show up with DNA results claiming three mystery children are yours–children that happen to belong to the woman your mother disapproves of?”
Convenient timing,” Sophia added, her voice sharp with suspicion.
“Convenient?” Adam rarely raised his voice, but it dropped to a dangerous level now. “There’s nothing convenient about discovering I have three five–year–old children I knew nothing about.”
He pushed himself closer to the table. “If you don’t believe me, we can do another test. You can take me to the lab yourselves.”
Sophia’s hands trembled slightly as she closed the folder and pushed it away. “Stop this, Adam. I understand you’re infatuated with this woman, but this deception crosses a line.”
“We’ve always wanted grandchildren,” she continued, “but not like this. Not as some ploy.”
“This isn’t a ploy,” Adam said, his voice level again. “I don’t joke about things like this.”
He rubbed the back of his neck, frustration rolling off him in waves. “I can’t explain how it happened. That night–or before–I don’t know. But those kids are mine. The test proves it.”
He fixed his parents with a steady gaze. “Irene is innocent in all this. Your dislike of her doesn’t give you the right to accuse her of anything.”
His jaw tightened. “Whatever comes to light later, I’m taking responsibility. I’ll protect them from rumors, from criticism–from everything.
Adam leaned forward. “I only want one thing from you both: stop interfering with my relationship with Irene.”
His voice softened. “She gave me three children. I owe her more than I can ever repay.”
Silence stretched between them. Marcus and Sophia exchanged stunned glances, the implications sinking in.
Marcus broke first. “Let’s not jump to conclusions.”
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He straightened, buying time. We need to verify this ourselves. If these children truly are Havens…” He trailed off, the magnitude overwhelming him
As for Miss Sterling, he continued carefully, we’ll back off for now. The rest can wait until we’ve confirmed everything.”
Sophia nodded mutely, still processing.
*Fair enough,” Adam said with a curt nod. “One more thing–Irene doesn’t know about this yet. I’ll tell her myself when the time is right.”
After he left, Sophia and Marcus sat frozen in place.
“Did our son just say those three children are our grandchildren? Sophia finally whispered.
Marcus nodded slowly. “That’s what he claims.”
Sophia’s mind drifted to the three children she’d glimpsed from a distance their perfect manners, bright eyes, and undeniable Haven features. Something stirred in her chest–a feeling she quickly suppressed.
‘I need to meet them,” she said suddenly. “Really meet them. Talk to them.”
Marcus raised an eyebrow, but said nothing as his wife’s expression shifted from shock to determination.
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