Chapter 47 Reckoning
The baby’s piercing cry sliced through the sterile hospital silence, and a flustered Katherine swooped in to cradle her grandchild. “Does he always cry with you? Maybe you’re holding him wrong?”
Gabriel, unfazed, chuckled. “Guess he’s not a fan of mine.” He glanced at his watch. “Important meeting, Gotta run.” Without waiting for a response, he strode out, leaving Katherine calling after him, her voice tinged with concern.
Katherine turned to her husband, Raymond, frustration etched on her face. “He doesn’t even spare a glance for his own son. This isn’t fatherhood.”
Raymond, ever the peacekeeper, simply responded, “Let him go. He’s got his reasons.” He was proud of Gabriel’s success back in the states, which made it hard to criticize him.
At Gabriel’s office, Finley, the epitome of dedication and intellect, already had enough troubles . Gabriel handed him two hair samples. “Paternity test,” he said, his voice brooking no argument.
Finley understood the seriousness of the situation. “Understood, Boss.”
At the Bennett home, William’s phone buzzed with a message from Teresa. As he smiled at the images, his mother Sophia, curious, asked to see. “What’s got you so cheerful?”
“Just some photos,” William replied, handing her the phone.
Sophia and Patrick admired the baby’s features. “Looks like Teresa as a baby,” Patrick was mused.
“Whose child is this?” Sophia asked, her interest piqued.
William, after a sip of coffee, replied, “Haven’t you guessed? It's Teresa’s.”
The revelation stunned Sophia and Patrick. “Why didn’t she tell us? Why did she keep the baby?” Patrick’s voice rose with emotion.
William explained the situation, including the complexities surrounding the child’s paternity and Teresa’s actions.
Patrick and Sophia were torn between anger and heartache. “We’re going to Jena tomorrow,” Patrick declared, setting things in motion.
At Sen Corporation, Liam’s phone vibrated with a call from Patrick. Stepping away from his meeting, Liam braced himself for a conversation about Teresa.
Patrick apologized for Teresa’s actions. “She’s had the baby,” he said, his voice heavy.
Liam was stunned. He hadn’t expected Teresa to go through with it.
“We’re going to Jena. Join us,” Patrick added.
Liam agreed, ready to face Teresa and the situation.
The next day, Gabriel received the paternity test results from Finley. The child wasn’t his. The news was a bitter pill to swallow, raising more questions than answers.
He recalled the night he was drugged, the blurry memories, and the realization hit him—could Teresa be the woman from that night?
“Investigate the hotel footage from that night,” he ordered Finley. He needed to know the truth.
In Jena, Teresa was recovering well, thanks to the care-taking arranged by William. Diana, her friend and now the godmother to her son, cooed over the baby, whose nickname is Croissant.
As they discussed the baby’s official name, Teresa received messages from William. Her parents and Liam were on their way to Jena.
Teresa’s anxiety was palpable. Would her parents accept the situation? What about Liam?
William’s response was blunt: “You’ll have to face this on your own.”
Diana encouraged Teresa. “If Liam can accept the baby, that’s a good thing. He’s a catch.”
Teresa agreed. If Liam could accept her child, she would consider rekindling their relationship.
Diana offered to be there for moral support, ready to face whatever storm may come with Teresa’s family's arrival.
The scene was set for a confrontation, a reconciliation, or perhaps both.
