Chapter 13
Ophelia was carrying a tray of freshly sliced fruit to the study when she overheard the conversation between Darian and Larkin.
A paternity test?!
She clenched the fruit tray in her hands.
Was Darian planning to take a paternity test with Rowan?
Did he stumble upon something?
Or had someone whispered something in his ear that prompted this sudden decision to test Rowan?
As a maid passed by, an anxious Ophelia grabbed her arm, "Did someone just visit?"
"Yes, Miss Cecily just left."
Ophelia clenched her teeth in fury—it had to be that woman!
She returned and headed straight to the Fitzgeralds’ compound? Was she still pining over Darian? Was she trying to seduce him again?
That woman! She knew she couldn't be trusted!
Ophelia clenched her teeth, handed the fruit to a nearby servant, and strode purposefully in pursuit.
Inside the study, Darian finished giving instructions to Larkin and then picked up his phone to make a call. It was answered promptly, "Mr. Darian, what a surprise to hear from you. What's up?"
Darian responded coolly, "I need you to look someone up."
"Who's that?"
"Cecily."
There was a pause on the other end before the voice replied teasingly, "Isn't she supposed to be dead? She died five years ago, didn't she, Mr. Darian? Still can't stop thinking about your deceased ex-wife?"
Darian stood and walked to the window, his gaze icy and profound as he stared outside, "She's not dead. She's been alive and well; she spent these past five years in Dorde."
The other party was silent for a moment then chuckled, "Ah, Dorde. A place with intricate powers. You calling me about this means your ex-wife is no ordinary woman."
"You're familiar with that area. Keep me posted."
"Got it, leave it to me."
"Thanks."
Darian hung up the phone, tossing it aside as a murky expression veiled his dark eyes.
...
"Miss Cecily."
Cecily's steps faltered, and when she turned, she was met with Ophelia's cold eyes.
They were alone, and Ophelia crossed her arms, dropping all pretenses, "Cecily, how shameless can you be? Darian and I are practically engaged, and here you are still clinging to him."
Cecily didn't want to confront her, but Ophelia had blocked her path.
Cecily raised an eyebrow, "Which eye of yours saw me clinging to him?"
Ophelia huffed, "If you’re not clinging to him, then what brings you to the Fitzgeralds’ residence? You just can't bear to see me happy; you're here to ruin it, aren’t you? I'm warning you, Cecily, back off with those thoughts. I won't let you succeed."
A cold gleam flashed in Cecily's eyes as she glared back at her.
"Ruin your happiness? I'm not that idle. And who are you, Ophelia, to think you're worth my time?"
Hearing those words, a fire ignited in Ophelia's chest.
"Cecily!" Ophelia blocked Cecily's path, her determination unyielding. "When Darian took revenge for my child by slipping you an abortion pill, you should've realized you could never beat me."
At the mention of that incident, Cecily's fists clenched. "So, you're proud of playing the mistress back then?"
Ophelia's face tensed, growing ugly with anger.
Cecily gave a mocking laugh and without turning her head, she strode away quickly.
Ophelia felt like she was about to explode with fury. Rushing outside, she saw Cecily get into a car and drive off.
Her eyes narrowed.
Ophelia made a call, reporting Cecily's license plate number. "Find out where this car is headed, yes, right now immediately!"
She would not let Cecily go.
Five years ago, she was too soft-hearted to finish her off, but not this time. If Cecily dared to compete with her for Darian, Ophelia vowed to make her vanish completely.
Soon, she received a response and made another call. "Elysia, are you free to meet up?"
"What's going on, Ophelia?"
"Your sister, Cecily, she's back..."
After ending the call, Ophelia dialed another number. "Hey, I need a favor. Darian is going to have a paternity test with Rowan..."
There was no way Ophelia would allow Darian to discover that Rowan was his and Cecily 's child.
...
In the car, Aurelie looked shocked.
"So, you really were mistaken?"
Cecily's fine brows furrowed at the question.
She had only glanced once, so it was hard to be certain she hadn't made a mistake.
The more she thought about it, the more she doubted herself.
"Aurelie, you mentioned Darian has a son? How old is he, do you know?"
Aurelie shook her head. "I'm not sure, maybe four or five years old."
"Four or five years old?" Cecily murmured, "Was that Darian and Ophelia’s child?"
Aurelie shook her head, "I don't really follow their business closely, so I'm not sure. Most of what I hear is through the grapevine, but the kid's definitely not Darian's biological child."
Cecily's voice edged up a notch, "Not his biological child? Then it's probably not Ophelia's kid either."
When Cecily first heard Darian had a child, she instinctively thought it must be with Ophelia.
If the child wasn't his biological offspring, nor Ophelia's, why was Darian raising him?
"Well, there are all sorts of rumors about the kid. Some say he's from Darian's ex-wife, which means yours, right?" Aurelie suggested; she had always been a gossip lover.
A flicker of unease surged through Cecily as she snapped her gaze onto Aurelie.
"The rumors are wild, something about a love child and all, but nothing's confirmed. Cecily, why are you so invested? It's not like the child is yours," Aurelie remarked, her curiosity piqued.
Cecily replayed the child's features in her mind, her doubt intensifying. Was she truly mistaken?
"Cecily, what's wrong?" Aurelie blinked, studying Cecily's somber expression.
"Aurelie, is there any way to get a picture of the kid?"
"That's tough. Darian keeps him well hidden; no media has gotten a shot yet."
Cecily furrowed her brow again.
Catching on, Aurelie stared at Cecily in astonishment. "No way, Cecily, don't tell me you think that kid could actually be yours? But wasn't your other child..."
Cecily's frown deepened.
Realizing her tactless remark, Aurelie clapped a hand over her mouth and looked apologetically at Cecily, "I didn't mean to bring that up."
"It's okay." Cecily blinked away the tension, "Seeing the child will make it clear."
"Do you want to see the kid? That might not be so simple. First off, Darian has him under close guard, and secondly, if you're looking to meet him, you'll have to get close to the Fitzgeralds. That's playing with fire."
Cecily murmured to herself, "I must see him, just once. After today's commotion, Darian is bound to suspect something, but fortunately, Griffin's abroad. He won't be able to dig up anything on me."
Looking out the window, Cecily bit her fingertip, her brow furrowing involuntarily.
Aurelie, feeling the rumble of her own stomach, glanced sheepishly at Cecily. "Cecily, can we grab something to eat first? I'm really starving."
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