Chapter 417
Chapter 417
Josh nodded, proud but trying not to boast. “I studied harder than sual. This week was the final assessment p>
“I’m proud of you,” Daven said sincerely. “Just don’t forget to res”
Grace didn’t want to be left out. “I can read two whole pages without stopping p>
“Two pages?” Daven looked at her dramatically. “That’s a huge achievement p>
From across the table, Althea watched them. The way Daven listened to every story his children told always made the house feel complete. She knew that outside these walls, her husband was holding back a storm. But the moment he stepped inside, Daven chose to be a present, attentive father first.
Night settled in slowly.
After the stories ended and the plates were cleared away, Daven walked the children to their rooms. Josh was already too old to be read a bedtime story, yet he lingered at the doorway longer than usual.
“Dad,” he said quietly. “Whatever’s happening out there, I hope you know we’ll always support you p>
Daven patted his shoulder. “Thank you, my brave boy p>
Grace fell asleep more quickly. Daven adjusted her blanket, pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, and closed her bedroom door carefully. Only when the house was completely still did he turn back to Althea.
“You were waiting for me p>
Althea smiled faintly. “What do you think p>
“How about the study… with some wine?” he suggested softly.
Althea knew there was a lot Daven wanted to say-and ask. She nodded and went to get what he wanted. Behind the closed door, Daven didn’t speak right away. He removed his watch, placed it on the desk, then looked at his wife for a long moment—as if making sure she truly was alright.
“Tell me,” he said at last. He stepped closer and rested his forehead against Althea’s shoulder. She felt a subtle tremor, as though he were holding back tears. “Everything. From the beginning p>
Althea drew a breath. “I didn’t want to worry you,” she admitted honestly.
“I know,” Daven replied. “But now I need to know p>
She began to tell him—about the funeral, about the way Selena spoke, how her words always sounded like pleas for sympathy wrapped in sorrow. About the drone. About Eli pushing Riana out of harm’s way. And everything that happened at the hospital.
Nothing was omitted. Not a single small detail.
Nearly everything Althea described matched Erick’s report exactly Which meant what she said was precisely what had happened. Daven listened without interrupting. His jaw tightened at certain points, but he kept himself in check.
“I don’t like that woman,” Althea said at last. “Not out of jealousy But because something about her feels wrong p>
“What do you think it’s because of?” Daven asked with a long exhale. He was beginning to steady himself. He lifted his gaze to Althea, his expression gentle, and brushed a stray lock of hair away from her cheek.
“The way she talks about her past with Chase,” Althea replied. “As if they were close-truly close. As if there had been no distance between them. As if I didn’t know my own husband p>
Daven looked at her. “Are you sure Chase didn’t p>
“No,” Althea cut in quickly. “I know him. Chase wasn’t a man who lived with two faces. And even if he had a child outside of our marriage, I’m certain it wouldn’t have been with a woman like Selena. And I’m a hundred percent sure he wouldn’t have abandoned that woman and child p>
1/3
Chester
Daven nodded slowly. Even though he had only come to know Chase Miller by circumstance, whet Althea seld rang true. Head seen it himself the way Chase treated women, the depth of his affection toward children. There was no reason to doubt it. With his own eyes, Daven had witnessed how great Chase’s love for Josh had been.
And Josh wasn’t even his biological son.
So… it Chase had known he had a biological child with another woman? There was no question-he would have loved that child
sincerely.
“Then what about Eli p>
“That’s what unsettles me,” Althea said more quietly, “Eli seems sincere. And that’s exactly what makes me afraid she’s being
used p>
She stood, opened a small drawer, and took out a thin envelope. “did something without telling Mom and Dad. I hope you’ll agree with what I did p>
Daven stiffened. “What is it p>
“I asked the doctor treating Eli to take a blood sample,” Althea said. “Discreetly p>
Daven stared at the envelope for a long moment. “For what p>
“To have it tested again,” Althea replied firmly, “Not at that hospital. At Mighatan p>
Daven looked up. “You suspect the DNA test results p>
“I’m sure there’s manipulation at play,” Althea said. “Too many things can be altered in one place. And I don’t fully trust any system that money can compromise p>
Silence hung between them.
“If I’m wrong,” Althea continued, “I’ll accept whatever the results. But if I’m right p>
“We’ll know who’s pulling the strings,” Daven finished. He took the envelope, his grip steady. “I’ll handle it. Don’t worry p>
Althea looked at him, her eyes glistening. “I didn’t want to drag you deeper into this. But I’m afraid…. everything is connected.
“For my family, I’ll always be involved,” Daven said softly. “This step you took is to protect us.” He moved closer and took Althea’s hand. “Whatever the outcome, we’ll face it together p>
For the first time since that afternoon, Althea felt her chest truly ease, her breathing steady again. And in the quiet of the house, between two children sleeping peacefully, that decision was made-not in anger, but with a calm, unyielding certainty.
Yet as Daven continued to stare at the envelope, a single thought surfaced in his mind-
What if the real question wasn’t just who Eli’s father was… but who stood to gain the most from that truth?
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