"Why?" Melinda's eyes were resolute, unwavering. She needed an answer.
Raymond was silent for a moment, lifting his head to meet her gaze. Confusion and struggle flickered in his eyes. He didn't know how to explain, or where to start.
Seeing his silence, Melinda's emotions intensified. She suddenly realized she had more crucial evidence to prove that the man from that night was indeed Raymond.
Tears glistened in her eyes, her voice trembling slightly, "I..."
Raymond looked at her in shock, confusion and misunderstanding filling his eyes. But when he saw her tears, it felt like something had struck his heart hard.
He reached out in a panic, trying to wipe away her tears, "I'm sorry..."
But Melinda suddenly threw herself into his arms, her hands tightly wrapped around his waist, tears streaming down her cheeks, "I'm so glad it's you..."
Raymond's body stiffened for a moment. He didn't understand the meaning behind her words, but he didn't want to delve into it. He just gently patted her back.
Melinda lifted her head, her eyes firm and bright, "Raymond, listen to me. Sam... he's your son."
She took a deep breath and began recounting the events of that night five years ago.
The necklace she had thrown away was found by the staff at the club, who then contacted Emily. Emily shamelessly took the compensation that was meant for Melinda.
As Raymond listened, the shock and anger in his heart grew stronger. He couldn't believe he had been deceived by Emily for so long. He couldn't forgive himself for the hardships Melinda and Sam had endured abroad all these years.
He tightly held Melinda's hand, "I'm so sorry, Melinda... I had no idea."
Melinda gently bumped her forehead against his, "The one you should apologize to is Sam. You've been absent from his life all these years."
Tears glistened in her eyes, but they were quickly replaced by determination, "But it's not too late now, Raymond. What you owe me, you can never repay in a lifetime."
Raymond held her tightly, showing her with his actions that he was willing to spend the rest of his life making up for his mistakes. He lowered his head and gently kissed her forehead, "Melinda, I will spend my life making it up to you and Sam."
She knew that after all these years of waiting, she had finally reached this moment.
"Raymond, don't let Emily get away with this." Her voice was low and firm, "She not only deceived you but also hurt Sam and me."
A cold glint flashed in Raymond's eyes, "Don't worry, I won't let her get away with it." He lifted his head, his deep eyes filled with a chilling resolve.
Melinda suggested, "If you don't believe me, we can do a paternity test with Sam."
Raymond shook his head confidently, "No need." His gaze was firm and bright, "Sam is my son. I have no doubt about it."
Outside the banquet hall, Larry's eyes occasionally glanced towards the lounge, a worried expression on his face, "What's going on with Melinda?"
William stood nearby, taking care of Sam, a gentle smile on his face, "Don't worry, Grandpa. Melinda isn't the type to run away at the last minute. She probably has something urgent to deal with."
As everyone speculated, Melinda and Raymond walked in hand in hand. They both wore smiles on their faces.
Seeing this, Larry's heart settled, and the wrinkles on his face relaxed.
"You're back! That's all that matters!" he said repeatedly.
Raymond held Melinda's hand tightly as they walked up to the stage. Sam was called up, his small frame looking a bit nervous under everyone's gaze.
Raymond bent down, extending his arms, and hugged Sam tightly, as if trying to pour five years of longing into this embrace.
Taking the microphone, Raymond took a deep breath and spoke with excitement and determination, "Today is our engagement party, but before that, I have an even more important announcement."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room before finally landing on Sam, "Sam is my biological son! He is the child of Melinda and me!"
The room fell into a stunned silence. Everyone looked at the three on stage in shock, their expressions varied.
Teresa's eyes widened as she looked at Sam, full of disbelief. William was also taken aback by the sudden news. He had never imagined that the father of the child Melinda had been searching for was Raymond. Connie was equally stunned, never having imagined Sam's true parentage. Larry was so excited he nearly fainted. Fortunately, William and Teresa quickly supported him, helping him sit down.
Melinda took the microphone, her voice gentle yet firm, "I won't go into the details of the past, but Sam is indeed our child. We've been apart for five years, and now we're finally reunited."
Sam stood beside Raymond, looking up at him, tentatively asking, "Are you really my daddy?"
His voice carried a hint of tremor and anticipation.
Raymond looked at him, his eyes full of warmth and determination, "Yes, Sam. Can you call me Daddy?"
His voice was filled with affection and expectation.
Upon hearing this, Sam joyfully shouted, "Daddy! I have a daddy now!" His clear, melodious voice echoed throughout the hall.
Raymond's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged Sam and kissed his head. This engagement party turned into a double celebration, with everyone feeling happy for Raymond and Melinda.
Melinda watched Sam's happy smile, her heart filled with gratitude and relief. She thought of the paternity test report Elsie had shown her earlier and felt a wave of fear. If she hadn't discovered the truth, she and Raymond would have had an irreparable misunderstanding, and Sam would have missed the chance to reunite with Raymond.
In the backstage lounge, Raymond held Sam with guilt, "I'm sorry, Sam. I didn't recognize you. Do you blame me?"
His voice was filled with remorse and guilt.
Sam, understanding beyond his years, comforted him, "It's okay, Daddy. We're together now, right? We can be together from now on."
His small hand gently patted Raymond's back, as if comforting him.
Melinda watched this scene, tears welling up in her eyes. She thought of the harm and slander Emily and Elsie had inflicted on her and felt a surge of anger and disgust. But now, it was all over. She had a man who loved her and an adorable son. Today was perfect.
Just then, William knocked on the door, "Raymond, Melinda, are you ready? Grandpa is eager to see Sam!"
Raymond opened the door, and after William took Sam away, the two of them fell into a brief silence.
A flash of anger crossed Raymond's eyes, "I won't let Emily and Elsie get away with this."
Melinda gently held his hand, "Raymond, calm down. We have the evidence of their crimes. I'm sure the law will give us a fair judgment."
Raymond's anger gradually subsided. He kissed her hand gently, "Melinda, thank you for always being by my side."
And Raymond had finally found the person he had been searching for all along—Melinda!