Chapter 138 Destined to Be Yours
BELLA
The room felt suffocating, the weight of unspoken questions pressing against my chest. I stepped out into the garden, the cool evening air offering little relief from the storm inside me. The golden hues of the setting sun bathed the garden in a warm glow, but my thoughts were far from calm.
From a distance, Jasper’s laughter rippled through the air, light and carefree. He crouched beside a patch of marigolds, meticulously arranging his toy trucks in neat rows. His small hands moved with focus, his head tilted in concentration—a gesture so achingly familiar, it stole my breath.
I leaned against the gazebo, folding my arms as I studied him. Every feature mirrored my own: the same thick, wavy hair and almond-shaped eyes that seemed to hold the world within them. It was like looking into a reflection of my childhood.
My chest tightened. Could it really be true? Could he be my son?
I swallowed the thought before it could take root. No assumptions, not yet.
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I dialed my father’s number. The line rang twice before his familiar voice answered, warm and steady as always.
“Baby girl,” he said, his tone tinged with concern. “You sound... different. What’s wrong?”
I hesitated, forcing calm into my voice. “Nothing, Dad,” I lied, the smile on my lips more for me than for him. “I just called to let you know my biological mom wants to see you.”
A pause stretched between us, his surprise evident even through the line. “Me? We’ve already met.”
“Yes, but this time it’s different. She’s hosting a party for me tonight, and she insisted you come,” I explained, my words tumbling out in a rush. “She said she owes you for everything you’ve done for me, and this is her way of showing it.”
His sigh was soft, thoughtful. “If it means that much to you, I’ll be there.”
Relief washed over me. “Thank you, Dad. I’ll send the driver to pick you up.”
After hanging up, I glanced back at Jasper. He had abandoned his toys and now chased a butterfly, his laughter floating on the breeze. My throat constricted, emotions swirling as I turned and retreated indoors before the tears could betray me.
Hours later, I stood before the vanity, applying a final coat of mascara. The woman staring back at me in the mirror looked poised, but beneath the surface, my nerves churned.
David appeared in the doorway, his broad frame silhouetted against the light. His presence filled the room, grounding yet heavy with unspoken words.
“Are you mad at me?” he asked quietly, his voice cautious.
I set down the mascara wand, meeting his gaze in the mirror. “No,” I replied softly, though the tightness in my chest said otherwise. “Why would you think that?”
He leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms. “You’ve been distant ever since I brought up the possibility of Jasper being your son. I thought you’d be... happy.”
Happy. The word felt foreign, almost mocking. I turned to face him, my voice low. “David, I don’t even know what to feel. If he is my son, what do I do? How do I tell him? What if he doesn’t want me as his mom?”
David stepped closer, his steady presence anchoring me. “You’ll find a way. You always do.”
I wanted to believe him, but fear clung to me like a shadow.
From his pocket, he pulled a folded sheet of paper and held it out.
“What’s this?” I asked, my heartbeat quickening.
“A DNA test,” he said simply.
The words hit like a jolt, my hands trembling as I unfolded the paper. My eyes scanned the lines, the proof undeniable.
A gasp escaped me, the paper slipping from my fingers. “I’m his mom,” I whispered, tears spilling over. “David, he’s my son.”
He caught me as my knees buckled, his arms strong and steady. “You’re his mom,” he murmured, his voice full of quiet pride.
Before I could fully process the moment, he stepped back and knelt on one knee.
“Bella,” he began, pulling a small velvet box from his pocket, his lips curving into a faint smile. “Or should I say Sofia? You’ve turned my life upside down in the best way. You’ve shown me resilience, strength, and love I never thought I deserved. And now, I want to build a life with you one where Jasper is part of it.”
My breath hitched as he opened the box, the diamond ring catching the light.
“Will you marry me?”
Tears blurred my vision as I nodded, the words tumbling out between laughter and sobs. “Yes,” I whispered, my heart full as he slid the ring onto my finger.
The kiss we shared felt like a promise, binding our fractured pieces together.
As we pulled apart, his smile deepened. “Ready to go to the party?”
I hesitated, thinking of Elowen. “David, I’ve made peace with her. She’s my sister, and I forgave her.”
His gaze softened. “You deserve all the love and support in the world.”
Hand in hand, we stepped into the night, ready to face whatever awaited. For the first time in a long time, I felt whole.
The End