Chapter 388
Sophia practically floated to his desk, brandishing the DNA report like a winning lottery ticket. Look at this! Yesterday your father and I distted the children. Alex gave us his hair. She paused dramatically. Those three children are yours, Adam! One hundred percent confirmed
Adam calmly took the report, glanced at it briefly, then set it aside with the nonchalance of someone being told the sky is blue. “I told you that already, bur you needed scientific proof. Understandable.”
His lack of reaction seemed to barely register with Sophia, who was already moving on to the next step in her mind.
“Adam, dear,” she said, gripping his hand with surprising strength. “You should take a break from all this and bring us to meet the children properly. They need to formally acknowledge their heritage! They’re Havens, Adam–they should carry our name!”
Her eyes sparkled with the particular fervor only a grandmother discovering grandchildren could possess.
Adam slowly set down his pen, his expression cooling/Mom, we need to pump the brakes here.”
Sophia’s excitement faltered, confusion crossing her face. “But why? This is wonderful news! Why wouldn’t we want to bring them into the family immediately?”
Adam’s eyes softened slightly, though his resolve remained unmistakable. “Mom, have you spent even a second considering Irene in all this?”
The atmosphere in the office shifted. Marcus observed from the sidelines, noting his son’s unusually protective stance.
“Five years ago, Adam continued, his voice quiet but carrying the weight of absolute certainty, “Irene gave birth to these children alone. She raised them through hell and high water without a safety net. No family support, no financial cushion–just her own determination and love.”
He looked directly at his parents, his gaze unflinching. “Those three children are her entire world–the center of her universe. And now, just because we ve discovered they share our DNA, you want to swoop in and claim them? Do you honestly believe she would–or should–agree to that?”
Adam’s voice carried a protective edge his parents had never heard before. Marcus studied his son thoughtfully, suddenly understanding that Adam’s feelings for Irene ran rivers deeper than they had imagined.
Sophia sank into the chair opposite Adam’s desk, her excitement deflating like a punctured balloon. She twisted her diamond ring absently, the reality of the situation finally hitting her.
“You have a point,” she admitted, her voice softer now. “Any mother would fight tooth and nail to protect her children.” She sighed, looking lost for perhaps the first time Adam could remember. “So what am I supposed to do? Just sit on my hands while my grandchildren are out there?”
Her internal struggle played across her face–the joy of discovering grandchildren warring with the realization that she couldn’t simply claim them as her
own.
“How do we bring them home where they belong?” she asked, the question hanging in the air between them.
Adam watched his mother carefully, noting the genuine affection in her eyes when she spoke of the children. This wasn’t just about family legacy or appearances–she truly cared for them.
“The issue isn’t with Alex, Lucas, and Lily,” Adam said gently. “It’s with Irene. She’s the gatekeeper here, Mom.”
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk. “If you want a relationship with those kids, you need to build a relationship with their mother first. That’s non–negotiable.”
Sophia nodded slowly, the wisdom of his words sinking in. “I guess I’ve already burned that bridge pretty thoroughly, haven’t I?” A rueful smile crossed her face. “I said some pretty awful things to her. If I suddenly showed up demanding access to her children…”
‘She’d slam the door in your face,” Adam finished for her. “And rightfully so.”
‘I’ll follow your lead on this one,” Sophia conceded, straightening her shoulders with new determination. “Maybe I can start fresh with her, build some goodwill. Once we’re on better terms, perhaps she’ll be more open to the children knowing us.”
She suddenly narrowed her eyes at Adam. “But honestly, Adam, would it have killed you to mention these were your children sooner? I wouldn’t have gune
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Chapter 388
all dragon–lady on her if I’d known!”
Adam didn’t reply aloud, but his jaw tightened slightly. I only just found out myself. If I’d known earlier, none of this would have happened. I would have Let there for all of them from the beginning.
His resolve hardened. From now on, no one hurts trene or those kids. No one.
In the car heading home, Sophia stared out the window, uncharacteristically quiet. Marcus drove in silence, giving her space with her thoughts,
“I really messed up with her, didn’t 12‘ she finally said, turning to her husband.
Marcus kept his eyes on the road. “With Irene?”
“Yes. Sophia pressed her fingertips to her temple. “I keep thinking about what she’s been through. Pregnant and alone at what–twenty one, twenty–two? Raising three babies by herself in a foreign country.” She shook her head slowly. “And then I waltz in and basically tell her she’s not good enough for our
son.”
She winced at the memory. “God, I was awful to her.”
“You didn’t know,” Marcus reminded her gently
“That’s no excuse.” Sophia’s voice was uncharacteristically humble. If I get another chance with her, I need to do better. My conscience is eating me alive.
Marcus reached across the console to squeeze her hand. “What’s done is done. We start fresh from here.”
A small smile tugged at Sophia’s lips. “You know what’s ironic? I’ve been pushing Adam toward all these society girls, when all along, the perfect woman for him was right there.” She shook her head in wonder. “A mother who’d sacrifice everything for her children, who built a career from nothing, who stands her ground even against people like me… You couldn’t find a better daughter–in–law with a search party.”
“What I thought was a disaster might be the best thing that’s ever happened to our family,” she mused, her expression softening as she gazed out at the passing city lights.
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