Chapter 24: Truth in Blood

Alex's POV

The steady hum of the busy city filled the air, muffled by the shut windows of my car. The day had been really long and stressful and sleep seemed distant from me. I groaned as I glanced down at my watch. 

Where the hell was he?

I took a look out my window, staring through the tinted glass at the night street. Cars drove by and people rushed to find shelter as raindrops fell from the sky. I grunted after noticing a man rushing toward a girl, likely his girlfriend, and placing his coat over her head in an attempt to protect her from the rain. 

"Just get a car, you bastard," I muttered under my breath as I shook my head. Sighing, I dug my hands into my pockets and brought out a stick of cigar and a lighter. Freya had complained the night before about my constant smoking but I couldn't give two damns. It helped me relax. 

The night air was heavy with humidity, and the city lights casted a somber glow on the parking lot of the hospital. My car sat in the shadow of a large tree, hidden from the building's security cameras, its engine purring softly. I took a slow drag from my cigar, the smoke curling lazily around me, mixing with the scent of leather and air freshener that I had bought. 

I coughed as I looked at my watch for the upteenth time. The doctor was late.

My fingers drummed impatiently against the steering wheel as I watched the hospital doors. I was about pulling out my phone to dial his number again when, finally, a hunched figure slipped out, looking around nervously before making his way toward my car. 

Dr. Hemsworth.

He approached the passenger side and hesitated for a moment before yanking the door open and sliding in, his breaths shaky.

"You're late," I said coolly, exhaling a stream of smoke in his direction. before turning to face him. "Why?" 

"I'm s-sorry, Alex," he said, his voice coming in stamers. He casted a wary eye on me as he wiped sweat off his brow before recomposing himself. "I just... I had to make sure no one saw me leave."

I chuckled lowly as I tapped on my cigar, the glowing embers and ashes falling on the ash tray beside me. "That's none of my business," I said, trying my best to keep my expression unreadable. "I just want to know... did you get what I asked for?"

Dr. Hemsworth swallowed hard as he adjusted himself in his seat. "I... I still haven't been able to confirm the paternity of the twins, sir," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. 

I drew hard on my cigar and the tip flared with a glowing light. "I didn't quite hear you, doctor," I said, raising a brow as I threw a short glance in his direction. "Could you please come again?" 

The doctor unsure if I was being serious, hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up. "I... I said that I still haven't been able to confirm the paternity of the pregnancy Sarah's carrying," he repeated, his voice trembling this time. "The hospital refused to hand me the DNA samples and I can't just steal them. They'll know and if they do, my license will be revoked."

I stared at the doctor through the rearview mirror for some seconds and then, suddenly, started chuckling low. "Lying to me is a very dangerous thing, Doctor," I said as my laughter faded. "I thought you knew that." 

De. Hemsworth immediately leaned in closer, his hands clasped tightly. "I swear, Mr. Carter, I have nothing yet," he croaked. 

"Are you sure about that?" I said as I leaned sideways, pulling open the glove compartment. I pulled out a folder from within and threw it into his lap. "I'd love for you to explain this, then."

His fingers shaking, Dr. Hemsworth flipped the folder open to reveal a document inside. All color left his face as he read the bold lettering at the top of the page. 

"DNA test result?" he muttered as he scanned the entire thing.

"Yeah," I said with a nod as I took a long drag from the cigar, blowing the smoke out as I spoke. "I had the test run at the private lab of the firm I'd hired and as the results says right there, I am his father." I turned to face him fully. "Care to explain why I got this before you even though you have everything you need to perform the test?" I asked my voice edged in menace.

The doctor's breath caught, his jaws shaking as he slowly shook his head. "I—I was going to tell you--" 

I pulled out the knife hidden under my seat and opened it just enough for him to see the gleam of its sharp edge. "Don't insult me, Hemsworth" I said as I pointed the knife at him, my voice menacingly calm. "You had no intention of telling me the truth, did you? Who's paying you to keep quiet?"

The man's hands shook as he held the file. "N-nbody!" he said, his voice turned down to a whisper. "I just... I was scared. This could cause a lot of trouble and I thought--"

I grabbed him by the collar, yanking him closer and placing the tip of the blade on his neck. "Do you really think I care about trouble? What I care about is that I have two children I didn't know about-two children Sarah tried to hide from me and refusing to reveal their paternity." I held my cigar in between my fingers, bringing it so close to the doctor's face that he could feel the heat. "And you? You tried to cover it up too." 

He let out a whimper as he struggled to stay away from the burning cigar. "You don't understand, sir," he wheezed. "Sarah came to me and begged that I don't reveal the paternity. She... she seemed innocent. But I made a mistake and I'm sorry."

I hissed as I let him go, pushing him back into his seat. "So you decided to then take her declaration of innocence and go against what I paid you for, huh?" I shook my head, rolling down my window and flicking my cigar out. "That was a bad decision, Doctor."

Dr. Hemsworth remained in his seat, watching me with eyes wide with fear, waiting for what I would do next. Seeing a grown man act so cowardly made my stomach churn, but I couldn't blame him. I had just put a knife to his neck. 

"You're no use to me anymore," I said with a sigh as I waved my hands dismissively at him. "Just get out of my car." 

Dr. Whitaker practically fell out of the car in his rush to escape. I watched as he stumbled back toward the hospital doors, his hands still shaking.

Sarah thought she was smart, playing me for a fool for a very long time. But now? Now, it was my turn.