Chapter 98
Evelyn’s POV
“Indulgent fathers ruin daughters!” The thought flashed through my mind as I stared at Calvin.
My eyes narrowed with suspicion as I studied his face across the study. This man was suddenly showering Alexis with diamonds and designer clothes? Something wasn’t adding up.
“Why are you suddenly being so generous with Alex?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.
Calvin looked confident, but I caught the quick change in his expression. His jaw tightened and his breathing shifted when I asked him directly.
“I’m just buying the child some small gifts, Evelyn,” he said casually, like those custom diamond tiaras were just toys from the store.
“Million-dollar jewelry and designer dresses are small gifts?” My voice got cold. “Calvin, what are you trying to do here? What’s this whole expensive show about p>
His eyes got darker as he stared at me. “Is that really what you think of me p>
I didn’t say anything back. I didn’t have to. The quiet between us was answer enough.
Calvin breathed in deep and moved closer. His presence filled the room with that commanding energy that used to make my heart beat faster. Now it just made me want to back away.
He gave me that controlled half smile he always wore when he thought he was winning.
“Alex is my daughter, isn’t she p>
The secret I’d been carrying for years was finally out there. I’d thought about this moment so many times, planned what I’d say and do. But now that it was happening, I felt strangely calm.
I knew Calvin too well after five years of marriage. He never went into anything without being prepared. If he was asking this question, he’d already done his research.
He probably already had samples at some lab for DNA testing.
When I thought about how calculated this all was, including all those expensive gifts, I couldn’t help laughing. He looked confused.
“What’s funny?” he asked.
I looked right at him. “Just how sure of yourself you are, Calvin. You really think I’d have your baby after we got rejected and divorced p>
That got to him. I could see his breathing get heavier, his hands moving slightly at his sides. Most people wouldn’t notice, but I knew him too well.
“If you don’t believe me, take Alex’s hair for testing. Find out for yourself if she’s yours p>
The way I said it so casually clearly bothered him. His hands made fists and then opened again, his eyes staying on mine.
“Whether Alex is my daughter or not, I’ll still treat her well. Evelyn, we p>
I stopped him before he could finish. “Calvin, there is no ’we’ anymore. You’re you, and I’m me. The only thing connecting us is being parents to our sons. That’s it. Do you understand p>
His face stayed cool, but his tense hands showed what he was really feeling. His breathing got heavier as my words sank in.
“We’ll know tomorrow if Alex is my daughter,” he said. His voice was calm like always, but I could hear the hope underneath. His eyes searched mine for answers, but I looked away.
So he really had ordered that DNA test. I sighed to myself.
I felt confused for a moment. Alexis looked exactly like me, with almost no resemblance to Calvin. When did he start getting suspicious?
But then he said something that really hurt.
“Evelyn, I know you’re angry with me, but if Alex is really my daughter, you can’t keep a child away from her father p>
His words hit me hard. I’d given Alexis all the love I could as her mother, but what if she wanted a father’s love too? I felt my breath catch, and for a second, I almost lost my composure.
“Save that speech for after you get the results,” I said coldly. “Then we can talk about whether you even have the right to say things like that p>
I opened the door and walked out, leaving him there alone.
When I came back downstairs, the house manager had already packed up all those expensive gift boxes that had filled the living room. Alexis had thrown the tiara and bracelets on the couch and was playing with remote controlled cars with her brothers. The only things left were the matching watches on their wrists. The kids kept bumping them together and laughing.
“I’ll have everything sent back to your place,” I told Calvin as he came downstairs.
He frowned. “Evelyn, money isn’t a problem. These are gifts for the children p>
“I’ll pay you back,” I said, lifting my chin a little.
The truth was I didn’t want to owe him anything. Calvin figured that out right away. His eyes got dark.
“What are you scared of?” he asked, seeing right through me. “What else are you keeping from me p>
My whole body went tense.
I turned away and made a dismissive sound. “What could I possibly be hiding from you p>
That ended our conversation.
Calvin spent the rest of the evening playing with the children, but I noticed him watching Alexis over and over. The way my daughter focused on controlling her toy car looked exactly like how I concentrated when I was working.
While I watched them, I remembered things I’d rather forget. We had a private chef during our marriage, but I used to make special treats or soup for Calvin when he got home from work. Sometimes when he came home early, he’d find me in the kitchen, completely focused on cooking.
Alexis reached for the toy car in Calvin’s hand but couldn’t get it. She looked up at him with confusion. “Uncle p>
“Yes, sweetie, I’m here p>
He put the car on the floor, and Alexis grabbed the controller right away. She sent the car racing around the room without any care.
Watching my daughter’s wild driving reminded me of how Calvin used to drive. That day had ended in a fight too. My face got cold thinking about it.
The next morning came with bright sunlight through the windows.
I had to rush off to deal with another problem at the lab.
Before leaving, I saw Calvin sitting in the living room. He had already gotten the DNA test results back. The envelope sat on the table in front of him, but he hadn’t opened it yet. He seemed caught between hoping and dreading what was inside.
But I didn’t have time to worry about that.
I left before we could get into any arguments.