Chapter 149: The twist in the plot twist

Evening light filtered softly through the hospital blinds, casting long golden stripes across the room. I woke up slowly, my neck stiff and aching from sleeping with my head on the edge of Isabella's bed. My hand was still resting protectively on her belly, feeling the gentle rise and fall of her breathing.

For one terrifying second, the memory of yesterday crashed back - the blood on the floor, my fists slamming into Rafiq, Isabella screaming my name, the fear in her eyes when she saw what I had become.

Shame burned through me like acid. Fear followed right behind it. What if she looked at me now and saw a monster? A man who almost murdered someone in front of his own son? What if she finally realized I wasn't the man she thought I was?

I lifted my head carefully. Isabella was already awake, watching me. Her eyes were tired but soft, and when our gazes met, she gave me the gentlest smile - the kind that always made my chest feel too small.

That smile... it loosened something tight inside me. Not completely. But enough.

Lucian was still curled up on the visitor couch, fast asleep, one arm hanging off the side. He looked so small. So exhausted. My sweet little boy.

Isabella noticed me watching him and whispered, "He refused to leave."

I nodded, throat tight. I gently shook Lucian's shoulder. "Hey, kid... wake up."

Lucian stirred, blinking sleepily. When he saw both of us, his eyes filled with tears almost instantly. He climbed onto the bed carefully, curling up between us like he used to come to my room when he was little.

We sat in silence for a while, the heart monitor beeping steadily in the background. Then Lucian spoke, voice small and shaking.

"I've known for three years," he finally whispered. "That Rafiq... is my real father."

Isabella and I both froze. What?

The heck?

Why does everyone just have their own secrets. It felt liyke plot twist in another plot twist on another! First my dad, Isabella, Rafiq, now Lucian? I bet my mom knows something too.

Lucian kept going, tears slipping down his cheeks. "Mom still hooks up with him sometimes. I heard them. I always begged you not to make me go to her place, but you never listened." His small body started shaking. "I wanted to be a distant family or something... but not with her. Not with him. The man who almost broke my neck yesterday... he is not my father."

He looked up at me, eyes red and desperate. "I always wanted you as my real dad. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I was scared you'd stop loving me."

I felt my heart crack open. I just couldn't say anything.

My silence seems to be more doubtful for Lucian as he moved closer. His face was right close to mine as if he wanted to make sure I saw him.

"You promised" he sniffed.

I blinked. A little lost.

"You said you will love me even if I wasn't yours" he replied "You said if there were over a million other kids that you would still choose....me"

I smiled. Yes, I said that and I really meant it.

Isabella reached out and wiped his tears gently. I pulled him closer, pressing my forehead to his.

"You are my son," I said, voice rough. "Blood or no blood. You will always be my boy."

Lucian cried harder, burying his face in my chest. "When Isabella slapped Rafiq... I felt so loved. Like someone was finally fighting for me."

I looked at Isabella over his head. Immediately she saw my gaze, she looked away and I could see that guilt and shame on her embarrassed face. "That's my girl."

Lucian eventually calmed down. He wiped his face and gave us a small, shy smile. "I'll go get some food from the cafeteria. I haven't eaten since yesterday."

He slipped off the bed and left, giving us privacy.

The room fell quiet again.

Isabella turned to me, eyes glistening. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm so sorry I hid it from you. I was terrified it would break your heart... or ruin Lucian's life. I broke it up to you when you needed to think."

When I needed to think? I was thinking when I was punching Rafiq. I was thinking when all i had in mind was to kill him .

I shook my head, taking her hand and pressing it to my cheek. "I knew. After you left for Berlin, I did the DNA test myself, remember? I tapped his therapy sessions for a while... then stopped because I felt like a monster for doing it. I'm the one who should be sorry. I failed you both."

She squeezed my hand. "You didn't fail us. You loved him when no one else did."

She does love him too.

I let out a shaky breath. "Rafiq is arrested. My mother made sure it looked like self-defense."

Isabella's eyes widened. "After you nearly killed him?"

I gave a weak smile. "That's my mom for you." a small pause "Well, he did hit me first" I shrugged.

She laughed softly, but it faded quickly. I could see the fear still lingering in her eyes.

In my mind, darker thoughts surfaced. "Someone would die before I let them touch my family again" I didn't say it out loud. Not yet.

I brushed her hair back gently. "I'm not even sure I want to go to my mother's gala this month."

Isabella raised an eyebrow. "She invited me. I'll sedate you if I have to."

Woah. Easy little tigeress.

I couldn't help it - I started kissing her. Everywhere. Her face, her ears, her neck, down to her belly. She giggled, the sound healing, pushing away some of the darkness for a moment.

Then she wrinkled her nose. "I can still smell the blood on you. Please go wash up before I throw up."

I laughed - a real, tired laugh - and kissed her forehead one last time. "I'll be right back."

As I stood up and headed toward the bathroom, I glanced back at her.

She was watching me with that same soft smile.

And for the first time since yesterday, I felt like maybe - just maybe - we could survive this.