Chapter 383
Haley gazed at Ivan, letting out a deep sigh.
Despite lying pale and unapproachable in his hospital bed, the man retained an undeniable handsomeness. He appeared almost like a figure on a pedestal, distant and untouchable. Haley couldn't comprehend why he would take a bullet for her.
Initially, her motive for drawing close to him had been solely for the sake of the two children. However, it seemed that this man harbored genuine feelings for her. While it might not have been love, there was undoubtedly a sense of intrigue and interest emanating from him.
Haley pressed her hand against her forehead, her thoughts racing.
Ivan now knew that she was Keith and Owen's biological mother, and he could probably guess that Todd and Angela were children of the Winston family. She wondered what his next move would be, and if he would demand that she return the two kids to the Winston family to reclaim their ancestry.
Thinking about such possibilities sent shivers down Haley's spine.
Her greatest fear was the possibility of someone attempting to take her children away.
If Ivan really insisted on taking them, she genuinely saw no chance of success for herself.
"Water..." A man's frail voice suddenly pierced the silence.
Haley quickly stood, fetched a cup of warm water, and returned to the bedside. Supporting Ivan's shoulders, she gently helped him sit up a little and carefully brought the cup to his lips.
Once Ivan had taken a few sips of the water, she released him and turned to wash the cup.
Feeling unsure about how to face Ivan, she dragged out the task, taking a full five or six minutes before returning to the hospital room.
Ivan's eyes remained quietly fixed on her, tracking her every movement, which made her feel uneasy.
Pulling up a chair, she sat down, her words stumbling out. "When... when did you find out?"
"At five-thirty yesterday evening." Ivan's voice was hoarse. "I was at Star Technical Company looking for you and overheard you on the phone."
Haley's lips pressed together firmly.
This indicated that this man had recently discovered the truth and immediately confronted Emily, triggering her anger and ultimately resulting in Keith's kidnapping.
His actions seemed impulsive and hasty.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Ivan spoke deliberately, "I've been deceived for four years. When I learned the truth, I even doubted whether Keith and Owen were really my sons."
Haley cast her eyes down.
"I never had a paternity test done. I wasn't sure if it was true, so I dared not tell you."
She secretly clenched her palm, not daring to say much more.
Ivan watched her for a long moment before breaking into a laugh. "Haley, you offered to be my girlfriend just to get close to Keith and Owen, didn't you? You knew Jeremy wasn't the father, but you used the lawsuit as an excuse to let down my guard. Are you afraid that after telling me, I will take away the custody of Todd and Angela?"
The secret that had been buried deep in her heart was suddenly exposed, and Haley abruptly lifted her head.
She looked Ivan straight in the eyes and emphatically said, "Yes, I became your girlfriend for the sake of Keith and Owen! They are my sons, my sons who've been separated from me for four years! I never took care of them, never loved them; I owe them so much... But Ivan, I owe you nothing! You have no right, no standing to question me this way!"
Without this man's interference, her idyllic life wouldn't have come to an abrupt halt at eighteen.
If not for this man, she wouldn't have lost the most precious aspect of her youth.
His actions over the past five years had caused her immense suffering and degradation.
All the pain she endured was a direct result of his actions; therefore, he had no right to question her.
The atmosphere in the room became tense, and the temperature seemed to plummet with each passing second.
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