Chapter 481 Shane's Confession
A chill ran down Patricia's spine.
"Grandpa, how can you be so sure I'm your granddaughter?" Patricia asked Shane, her curiosity piqued.
Shane produced a photograph of Elise. "This is a picture of my daughter, Elise. She's my flesh and blood—there's no way I could make a mistake. You are her daughter; you are my granddaughter."
Patricia smiled, though a tinge of bitterness flickered in her eyes. "Grandpa, these things alone can't confirm it. Remember how sure you were about Grace when you first met her? And how did that turn out? Do you really want to go through that kind of mistake again?"
Somewhere inside, she hoped earnestly to be Shane's granddaughter. But staking such an important claim on a single photograph and a hunch felt far too rash to her. Patricia was uncharacteristically sober and level-headed, not allowing the thrill of the moment to cloud her judgment.
"Grandpa, it's already dark outside. The DNA testing center is closed. Let's go together tomorrow for a proper test. I don't want you to get your hopes up for nothing, just as I fear you might be placing your emotions on the wrong person."
Shane, convinced, shook his head in refusal. "No. I can't be mistaken. You are Elise's daughter. My eyes don't deceive me, nor does this photograph, and neither does your innate talent for jewelry design. I believe in my heart that you are my granddaughter."
After saying this, Shane seemed to remember something, which brought tears flowing freely down his cheeks. "Patricia, are you still upset with me for defending Grace and hurting you? Please, don't be angry with your grandfather. If I had known you were my granddaughter, I would have never treated you that way. I am sorry, so very sorry. Can you forgive me?"
His voice was urgent, a clear sign of his fear that Patricia might hold a grudge and not forgive him. Reflections of his past actions toward Patricia filled him with such regret that it was almost palpable.
"No, no," Patricia quickly reassured him, "I don't hold it against you. How could I? At that time, Grace was believed to be your granddaughter, and it was natural for you to defend her. Besides, you've been very kind to me lately. I am grateful for the support and esteem that both you and Jeremy have shown me."
Hearing her absolve him of blame eased Shane's mind considerably. He was terrified the misunderstanding might damage their precious bond.
While Patricia took joy in Shane's recognition and affection, she knew all too well the gravity of their situation—a matter too significant to settle on mere assumptions.
"Grandpa. Tomorrow we're doing it all—blood tests, hair, and the whole nine yards. I really hope you are my grandpa, but if it turns out I'm not your granddaughter, wouldn't that mean I've taken her place? That would be so unfair to her."
"But..." Shane was about to add something, only to be cut off by Ariel.
"Grandpa, Patricia's right. This is important and we need to make darn sure. It's been over twenty years; a bit longer won't hurt, right?"
When Jeremy found out Patricia was his cousin, he was so thrilled he didn't know what to do with himself, ending up slinging his arm over her shoulder with a wide grin. "Grandpa, let's just go through with the test. I've got this gut feeling that we didn't mess up this time—that Patricia really is Elise's daughter."
Seeing everyone in agreement, Shane reluctantly gave in.
Patricia shared all the cherished photographs of her mother with them, along with her mother's belongings. Shane held each item as if he couldn't bear to let them go, as if they somehow brought his daughter back to life. The plan had been to stay in a hotel, but with night falling and Shane being of advanced age and recently recovered from a serious illness, Patricia insisted they stay at her place in the Ellenstein Villa District.
After making sure everyone was settled, Patricia left. It wasn't until she stepped out of the Ellenstein Villa District that all her repressed emotions burst forth in a flood. Her hands shook with such intensity that it was a struggle to even hold her keys. She fumbled with her car keys several times before she managed to unlock the car.
Shane was her grandfather. Her real grandfather. How could it be? It seemed unreal.
Patricia pinched her face, the sting confirming the reality of the moment.
Ouch.
That pain meant this was no dream. So, everything that had just happened was real? Shane really was her grandfather!
Even though she had suggested another paternity test for tomorrow, deep down, she had already accepted it—she was over the moon with joy.
Patricia couldn't recall how she got home, her mind a jumbled mess, emotions bubbling up until the first thing she did upon arrival was to share the amazing news with Martin.
Clearly, Martin was just as stunned by the revelation. It was both ironic and satisfying when the last piece of the puzzle fell into place, confirming what they had suspected all along.
Patricia nodded, her agreement evident. "Of course. No wonder Grace wanted to kill Grandpa; she wanted to secure her place with the Kochs, reveling in their wealth and status, silencing him forever. Her treachery was boundless, all Shane’s kindness for nothing."
Martin gently caressed her hair. "I'll go with you tomorrow."
"Isn't there something you need to deal with at the office?" Patricia asked.
Shaking his head, Martin replied, "Nothing matters more than you and the kids. Besides, Alan can handle it."
Warmed by his commitment, Patricia gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, honey."
Just as she began to pull away, Martin's hand swiftly cradled the back of her head, his lips finding hers with precision. He guided her down onto the bed, deepening their kiss passionately.
The temperature in the room began to soar. Martin's hand traveled from her upper back down to her waist, slipping beneath her nightgown's hem, his rough fingers tenderly kneading her soft skin, igniting a fire within her.
"Mmm..."
Patricia's muffled moan was all it took. Like a strike to a match, it ignited an inferno within Martin. Their breathing became entwined, each breath more urgent and ragged than the last. Martin deftly unbuttoned her nightgown.
Just as her top hit the floor, a sudden wail from Maria in her nearby crib shattered the sultry silence. Their heated moment cooled off instantly.
Exchanging a knowing smile full of resignation, Martin lifted Maria in his arms and Patricia slipped back into her nightgown.
The following day, after Martin had soothed Maria to sleep and left her with the nanny alongside Charles, he drove Patricia to meet Shane and others, heading to the paternity test center together.
For precaution, they collected samples of blood, hair, and buccal swabs. They also joined Shane, Jeremy, and Ariel for the tests. They were told the expedited results would still require a three-hour wait.
Despite the overwhelming smell of disinfectant that made him nauseous, Shane refused to leave. Fearing any complications, he sat patiently on the bench outside. Jeremy and Ariel sat by his side, a comforting presence on either side.
Patricia sat next to Ariel with her hands trembling uncontrollably. She clamped her knees over her hands, trying to quell her nervous energy, and rubbed the sweat from her palms continuously.
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