Chapter 98 Xander’s POV

Chapter 98 Xander’s POV
Chapter Ninety-eight

Xander’s POV

The next day at the office, Bella walked into the office wearing the same clothes as yesterday.

She looked tired and I couldn't blame her considering what happened to her son… our son.

I glared at her through the glass walls as she pulled her hair into a ponytail and resumed work.

I considered walking over to her office and slamming the DNA test on her desk. Instead I pressed the intercom.

“Ms. Reyes, my office. Now.”

After a while, I heard a knock on the door.

“Come in,” I said.

She opened the door slowly. “You called me sir?”

“Sit.”

I could see her nervousness as we sat in silence.

“Is something wrong, Sir?” she asked.

I pulled out my drawers and took out the DNA test result.

I threw it in front of her.

“What is this sir?”

“Why don't you open it and tell me?”

The paper crinkled as she unfolded the letter.

Her eyes bulged out as she threw the letter away as if it burned her hands.

“Do you want to tell me why the DNA test I took last night says Noah is my son?”

“How…when…I.. I can explain,” she stuttered.

“When did you plan on telling me?”
I narrowed my eyes at her.

Her mouth was still hanging, she hesitated and demonstrated with her hands before giving up.

I held on to a thin line of hope or perhaps, it was benefit of doubt and I asked her,“Did you even plan on telling me?”

She shook her head, “No.”

I drew a sharp breath and tried to keep my cool.

“Why Bella?”

She looked down and played with her fingers.

“I’m his father,” I said.
“And you robbed me of four years of his life.”

She shook her head, tears flowing.
“I wasn’t trying to rob you. I just… I had to choose safety.”

“You lied to me,” I said quietly. “For four years.”

Her eyes glossed with tears instantly.

“Xander, I…”

“Don’t.” My voice cracked. “Do not say my name like you didn’t hide my son from me.”

She flinched.

I stood up from behind my desk, pacing slowly around it as the anger I’d tried to swallow all night rose up again.

“You looked me in the eye yesterday and told me nothing was going on.”
I pointed at the paper on the floor.
“But that says otherwise.”

She bent to pick it up, but her fingers trembled so badly she barely managed. She clutched it to her chest like it was suffocating her.

“I… I can explain,” she whispered.

“Then explain,” I answered sharply.

Bella’s breath shook.
“I wasn’t trying to lie. I just… I was scared.”

I shot her a cold look. “Scared of what? Me? Or scared I’d find out the truth?”

She looked down at the floor.

I stepped closer until I was standing right in front of her.

“Do you have any idea what it felt like,” I said, my chest contracting painfully.
“Opening that envelope and realizing that all along Noah was my son and not Daniel's?

Her lips trembled. “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry?” A dry laugh escaped me. “Is that what I get after hiding him for four years? Just ‘sorry’?”

She wiped her cheeks quickly.
“I was trying to protect him.”

“From me?” My jaw clenched. “What did you think I’d do, Bella?

She shook her head and whispered softly. “You don’t understand…”

Her silence angered me and I lost it, I burst out, “Understand what, Bella?”

“Just calm down and let me explain Xander.”

I pulled my chair closer. “Okay, I'm listening.”

She sat down and took a deep breath, “It was your mother.”

I raised my eyebrow up. “My mother? What has my mother got to do with this?”

“Everything,” she replied quietly. “Your mother found me with a pregnancy test stick andIt was positive. She drove me to the hospital to confirm if it was true and the doctor confirmed that I was pregnant.”

She paused and nervously smoothened her skirt.

“Okay, and?” I lashed out with my feet tapping the floor.

“Relax Xander, I'll explain. She… she threatened to kill me and my unborn child if I ever went back to you, she threw some cash on my face and asked me to get out of the city, never to return.”

I scoffed in disbelief, “My mother would never do that. I know she never liked you, but at least for the sake of the unborn child. She wouldn't.”

Her gaze never wavered as she looked at me, she was not lying.

“You can ask her Xander, it's true. I mean… think of it. I was poor and did not have a place to call home, why would I leave the only home I've ever known?”

That was true, it didn't seem like she would lie about something like that.

Damn it… Elena Knight.

I pinched between my brows. “You could have discussed it with me.”

“Discuss what? Your mother was going to kill me and my baby, Xander. I had to protect us both.

I stared at her in silence.

She shifted nervously on her chair, like she had something to say.

“What is it? Just spit it.”

She paused for a moment.“You wouldn't believe me if I told you about it, you did not seem to enjoy my presence when we were still… married.”

“I’m his father,” I said. “And you robbed me of four years of his life.”

She shook her head with tears flowing.

“I wasn’t trying to rob you. I just… I had to choose safety.”

“Safety?” I repeated. “You think he’s safer without me?”

Her voice broke. “I think he’s safer without your world.”

“Whether you like it or not, Bella,” I said quietly. “I’m in his life now… and I’m not going anywhere.”

I stood up and walked slowly to the office window.

“From this moment forward, Noah Knight is no longer your secret.”

I turned to meet her eyes.

“He is my son. And I will be his father.”