“You lied to me,” Jason said, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade.Her lips parted, but no words came. She clutched the paper tightly, her mind racing. The hall she thought only a few seconds ago would be full of love and laughter now felt like a prison.Jason took a seat beside Serena, and she stiffened. The gears in her mind worked to figure out how to get herself out of the situation.“So you went behind my back to get a more thorough test.” Serena said she tried to sound upset, but her voice was a shaky mess.“And you lied to me. You told me that there was no way the baby could be anyone else’s. Jason’s tone was firm, but deep down he did feel bad about putting Serena on the spot like this. Not only was she pregnant, but she was also no doubt a victim of Connor’s manipulation since she was a child.How else would a woman get pregnant simply for a scheme?“I…I…must’ve been mistaken,” she whispered.“You sounded very sure at the company. Could it be that you drugged m

The hallway of the hospital was eerily quiet, save for the distant hum of machines and the occasional shuffle of nurses. Jason and Diana stood there, the DNA results clutched tightly in Jason’s hand. Neither of them had spoken a word since the meeting with the doctor. Their eyes met, both filled with unspoken emotions—shock, confusion, and something else neither could quite name.Actually, no. Jason could name it. There were many emotions washing over him; at his core, he felt a profound sense of rightness. He had always felt inexplicably drawn to Lana, as though some invisible thread had connected them. Now, knowing she was truly his daughter, that feeling finally made sense.He felt a deep warmth spread from his chest then envelop his entire body. She’s mine. She’s always been mine. He repeated internally.Was this why he’d always felt so drawn to her, why the first time he held her it felt like her place was in his arms, and why her smile could melt away all his frustration?Lana w

Jason stepped into Michael Grey’s office, just like the owner; the space exuded power and pride. The walls were lined with photographs of Michael shaking hands with presidents, kings, and other influential figures. Shelves displayed trophies, awards, and books with gilded spines, and the heavy oak desk at the centre of the room was immaculate. Jason barely glanced at any of it. All these symbols of success meant nothing to him right now.The accomplishments were as valuable as dust if the man who owned them, after all these years, still couldn’t be a grandfather and help his great granddaughter.Michael took a seat in front of his desk, then cleared his throat and gestured to the plush leather chair across from him. “Please, take a seat.”Jason sat down, immediately noting how comfortable the chair was. As much as he hated to pay any compliments to Michael, he had good taste when it came to his workspace. He made a mental note to get one like this for his own office someday.“I must s

Michael was a match for the transplant.Everyone couldn’t have been happier when the news came almost two weeks ago. He’d agreed to do the surgery as soon as possible.He lay in the hospital bed, a faint but determined smile on his face. The sterile smell of antiseptics filled the room as the IV dripped steadily into his arm, preparing him for the surgery that could save his great-granddaughter’s life. Diana sat nearby, her hands clasped tightly together, her eyes glistening with gratitude and worry. Jason stood to the side, his arms crossed, watching the scene unfold. Looking at him now and comparing him to the vicious business tycoon he saw when he first met him at Grey Enterprises, it was hard to reconcile that it was the same man.He didn’t look as healthy as he first did when he stood at the top of the staircase with the confidence of a god and commanded his employees. Now he looked soft, old, and...fragile. Hooked up to all the machines. An annoying, unplaceable emotion settled

Weeks had passed since Lana’s surgery. She had been discharged from the hospital, and to celebrate, Diana threw a small, intimate party. Everyone who had taken the test and waited alongside her for the surgery to finish was invited—except for Christopher, who had quietly exited her life after learning he wasn’t Lana’s father. Christopher sent his regards to Diana and even sent a congratulatory message to Jason, acknowledging his newfound role as a father. The other person who couldn’t be in attendance was Michael.He was still under observation at the hospital, something that worried Jason. The worry for Lana’s health was out of the way, but it was replaced by worry for Connor’s next move. Connor, still being on the loose, gnawed at him daily. Each day without Connor in a prison cell—or, preferably for Jason, buried six feet underground—heightened his fear for his mother’s safety. That week, Jason had finally decided to hire bodyguards for Abigail, wondering why he hadn’t done so soo