Chapter 489 Everything is Out in the Open
Susanna felt a huge weight lift off her shoulders after finally spilling the beans.
She'd been wrestling with this secret forever, hoping one day Charles could just show up without having to play hide and seek with his identity.
Aaron was floored when he heard her spill the truth.
"No way, I got two kids? A boy and a girl?" he blurted out, totally gobsmacked.
Aaron was all over the place emotionally; twins were the last thing he expected.
He never pictured himself as a dad, let alone to twins.
Susanna shoved Aaron away, snapping, "Yeah, they're twins, but you got no right grilling me about the other one. Do you have any idea how hard it was to bring them into this world? I fell at the Abbott mansion, almost lost both of them. Docs were handing out death notices, saying they wouldn't make it. Where were you then?"
Aaron just stood there, shell-shocked, muttering, "I'm sorry, I really couldn't be there for you back then."
"Sorry doesn't cut it now. They were born early, one barely breathing, the other not at all. They had to bring the kid back from the brink, but it left the kid with serious issues. Docs said even if the kid made it, they might end up... different. But I still chose to keep the kid."
Susanna glared at him, "Do you have any clue how much it took to save them? You got no right to care about them now."
Aaron was blindsided by how dangerous the birth had been.
He was even more floored that one of the twins had stopped breathing at birth.
Aaron looked at the furious Susanna, wanting to step closer, but the guilt weighed him down.
He swallowed hard, "Susanna, I know it's too late for sorry, but can you give me a shot?"
"No way!"
Susanna's voice was ice-cold, "You're not seeing that child."
Aaron's breath caught. He pressed on, "Even if the kid's... different, they're still my kid. I won't let anything happen to them."
"What's the point now? They're growing up with the Jones family, living the good life, getting the best care. They don't need anything from you. Just stay away and stop messing with our lives."
Susanna shoved Aaron hard.
He stumbled, feeling like the wind got knocked out of him.
Ever since bumping into Susanna again, he'd been on edge.
He had no clue what she'd been through, and hearing about the risky birth hit him like a ton of bricks.
Aaron stood there, awkward and lost, "I'm sorry. If I could, I'd spend my life making it up to your kid."
"No need, Mr. Abbott. We were done the moment we divorced four years ago. My kid and I are none of your business."
Susanna turned to leave, but Aaron stubbornly grabbed her wrist.
She spun around, furious, only to see Aaron's pleading eyes. She'd never seen him so desperate.
Aaron softened his tone, "Can you at least tell me if it's a boy or a girl?"
"Does it really matter to you?" Susanna shot back.
"Not really, just curious. How's the kid doing? Anything I can do to help with the treatment?"
Susanna's face twisted with mixed emotions, "The kid's getting better, but it's a long road. No one knows how long it'll take for a full recovery."
Aaron, looking desperate, said, "What's wrong exactly? I'll get the best docs in Lindwell. There's gotta be something we can do."
"Enough, Aaron. The Jones family’s got the kid covered. It'll be fine eventually."
"Can I see the kid?"
Susanna hesitated, remembering how Charles had reacted to Aaron earlier. "The kid doesn't want to see you."
Aaron's voice cracked, "Do they hate me?"
Susanna nodded, "Yeah, the twins are like night and day. One of them thinks you ditched us and wants nothing to do with you. Seeing you isn't helping his recovery."
Aaron's face fell. He stood there, silent for what felt like forever, then said, "If the kid doesn't want to see me, I won't push it."
"That's for the best."
Susanna turned and walked into the research institute without looking back.
Aaron stood there, feeling like the ground was slipping from under him. He almost lost his balance.
His secretary, who'd been watching from a distance, rushed over to steady him, "You okay, boss?"
They'd all seen Aaron rush in to play the hero and had stayed back to give him space.
Aaron leaned against the car door, staring at the institute. Based on what Susanna said, the other kid had to be in there too.
He looked at his secretary, "Find out how many kids are in that institute and get me all their info."
The secretary looked puzzled, "What for, Mr. Abbott?"
"Just do it, no questions."
Aaron's hand shook slightly. How much had he missed over the years?
Inside the institute, Susanna rubbed her temples, thinking about the argument with Aaron.
Now he knew about the second kid.
Charles came up to her, "Mom, what did you talk about with him?"
Susanna squatted down to his level, "He knows about the bone marrow and has figured out you exist. But don't worry, I didn't tell him it was you."
Charles's face tightened, "Mom, you don't need to worry."
He then ran to his room, locked the door, and fired up his computer.
He sent a message to his group: [Got a job.]
