Chapter 86 SPECIAL CHAPTER 09

Chapter 86 SPECIAL CHAPTER 09
The night grew deep, but Samantha remained restless. Spade was sound asleep, yet sleep eluded her, haunted by the knowledge that his father was just a few steps away in the house next door.

"Girl, maybe you should sit down. You've been pacing for an hour. Aren't you exhausted?" Vladi asked, refusing to leave her side tonight.

"My mind won't stop racing, Vladi. What if the Prime Minister decides to take my son away?"

"You're being dramatic. Why would he just take him? You’re both his parents; it’s something you discuss. You didn’t make Spadey alone, so you can’t exactly ignore the fact that he’s the father." Vladi pulled her down onto the sofa. "Besides, Spade wanted to meet his dad, right? You promised him. Now you know exactly who you slept with eight years ago—no more question marks. And the shocking part? Your baby daddy is a Prime Minister. You hit the jackpot, friend."

"I don't care about his money or his title," Samantha snapped. "Yes, Spade wanted to meet him, but that’s it. My son just wanted to know who he was."

Vladi squeezed her hand. "The question is, once Spade knows the Prime Minister is his father, do you think he won’t crave his attention? Are you going to deny your son a relationship with his own dad?"

Samantha fell silent. Vladi had a point, but the fear of being separated from her child was a suffocating weight.

"Besides, you're the mother. Surely he won't just push you aside," Vladi added.

"I hope so. I need to make it clear that I’m the one with the rights to my son."

"Wait, how did you reach that conclus—"

"Before I officially introduce them, he needs to understand that his role ends at an introduction," Samantha stated firmly. "Besides, a man in his position probably doesn't even want a child, right?"

Vladi sighed. "If he didn't want Spadey, why did he claim him in front of the media? If he were worried about his reputation, he would have stayed silent."

The next morning, Samantha woke up with a pounding headache. She had a long day ahead—her final preparations for a wedding client. She had fallen asleep on the sofa, while Vladi was sprawled out on the floor.

A sharp knock at the door startled her. Groggy and half-asleep, she stumbled to the door, assuming it was the morning milk delivery.

"Just two bottles," she muttered, pulling the door open.

"I don't have any milk to give, though I could certainly buy some."

Samantha froze. That voice... She looked up, her eyes widening as she found herself staring at Cedric.

"M-Mr. P-Prime Minister..."

"Good morning," Cedric said smoothly, stepping past her into the house. He immediately spotted Vladi sleeping on the floor.

"Hey! You can't just walk in here! That’s trespassing!" Samantha protested, hurrying after him.

"You let a man sleep in your house?" Cedric asked, his tone unreadable as he glanced at Vladi.

"So? He’s my best friend. Do you need something? It’s a bit early for a neighborly visit."

"We haven't had a proper conversation since you ran off yesterday, Ms. Camnice."

"And that’s why you’re here at this hour?"

Cedric walked into the living room. Before Samantha could speak, he picked up a throw pillow and dropped it squarely onto Vladi’s face. Vladi bolted upright, gasping.

"Samantha! I was sleeping! Why would you throw a pill—" Vladi’s complaint died in his throat when he saw Cedric looming over him. "P-Prime Minister..."

"We need to talk about Spade," Cedric said, taking a seat on the long sofa.

"What about him?" Samantha asked, her heart racing.

"Sit down first."

Samantha smoothed her hair and sat opposite him, with Vladi quickly scurrying to sit by her side.

"Mr. Prime Minister—"

"I’m not going to take Spade away from you," Cedric interrupted, noticing her trembling hands. "That’s why you ran away yesterday, isn't it?"

Samantha nodded slowly. "I won't force you to believe he's yours. It's okay if you don't. I'd actually prefer that over you taking him from me."

"As I said, I won't take him. You are his mother."

Samantha let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. But her relief was short-lived.

"However," Cedric continued, his gaze intense. "He is also my son. I have rights as his father, don't I? Vasile blood flows through his veins. I want my son."

Samantha stood up, her face pale. "What? You just said you wouldn't take him! Now you're claiming him?"

"Beshy, calm down," Vladi whispered, grabbing her arm.

"How can I be calm? You heard him!"

"When I say I want my son," Cedric said firmly, "it means you are part of the equation, Ms. Camnice. I will fulfill my responsibility as his father and take him home to my country."

"What? I won't allow—"

"And you are coming with us," Cedric declared, his voice leaving no room for argument. "As my son's mother, whether you agree or not."

Both Samantha and Vladi stared at him in shock.

"Is it true? Are you really my daddy?"

They all turned to see Spade standing at the foot of the stairs. Samantha hadn't expected him to be awake so early.

"Spade, honey—"

Spade ignored her, running straight to Cedric. "Uncle Pogi? Are you my daddy?"

"Why don't you ask your mother," Cedric replied.

Spade looked at Samantha, his eyes wide with hope. "Mama, you said he wasn't. But I heard him call me his son. What's the truth?"

"Well, Spade..." Samantha fumbled, her mind blank.

"Your daddy didn't know your mama was pregnant when he had to leave," Vladi cut in, quickly kneeling beside the boy. He glanced at Cedric, who was watching him with a raised eyebrow, before continuing the lie. "There was a misunderstanding, so they broke up and your daddy moved away. He lost contact and never knew about you. But now that he knows, he wants to be your father."

Cedric opened his mouth to protest. "What the hell are you say—"

Samantha grabbed his arm, her eyes pleading. "Your 'Tito-Ninang' is right, Spade. I’m sorry I kept it from you, but the Prime Minister knows now."

"If you're my daddy, why did you leave us?" Spade asked, looking up at Cedric.

"Spadey, why don't we let Mommy and Daddy talk for a bit? You can talk to him later," Vladi said, but Spade had already thrown his arms around Cedric’s waist.

"I knew it! We look exactly alike. You really are my daddy."

Cedric looked stiff, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden affection, but he didn't pull away. He looked at Samantha, who slowly let go of his arm.

"Come to my Baba’s house," Cedric said. "She wants to properly meet you and Spade."

"I'll get Spadey dressed!" Vladi chirped, scooping the boy up and disappearing upstairs.

Once they were alone, Samantha turned to Cedric. "Please... don't tell him the truth. Don't tell him he was a mistake from a one-night stand. It would break his heart."

"So your friend tells him a fairy tale and you want me to live a lie?"

"What am I supposed to say? That his parents were total strangers who had a drunken encounter? I don't want him to feel like he wasn't created out of love."

Cedric sighed, his expression softening just a fraction. "Fine. It seems I have no choice but to lie to my Baba as well. Now, go get ready. She’s waiting."