Chapter 73

Brandon stood in the middle of the paternity test center’s lobby, staring blankly at the bustling staff and clients, feeling a weariness and emptiness like never before.

It was like the beliefs that had propped him up inside just crumbled in an instant, leaving him totally lost.

Then, among all those unfamiliar faces, Brandon spotted Martin on the phone, clutching a folded-up paternity test report.

Martin saw him too, his face just as composed.

Neither of them said hello.

Brandon didn’t greet him either. His gaze lingered on the DNA report in Martin’s hand for a moment before calmly shifting away. After a brief silence, he asked, “Need a lift?”

“No, I’m good,” Martin smiled and declined. “My grandpa and my parents are in town, at the airport. I’m heading there to pick them up.” Brandon nodded, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

“Brandon,” Martin called after him, “why don’t you join us at the airport? You haven’t seen them in a while.”

“No need, I’ve got things to do, Brandon declined.

Martin nodded, not pressing any further.

When Brandon got home, Sophia was sketching design drawings in the living room.

It wasn’t homework or work. She was just doodling in her free time.

She sat in front of her easel on the balcony, wielding her drawing pen with ease, her long curly hair pinned up behind her head, her side-swept bangs curling softly against her cheek. Bathed in the light and shadows, her face was tranquil and gentle, her expression serious and focused.

Whether she was frustrated or just bored, once she sat

without relying on anyone else’s

kind of clear-headed independence came from balancing herself amidst a long-standing

depend on people, to trust them, and to use her little bit of strength to warm

yet wooden expression, filled with a

in his hand, her gaze pausing briefly on it

at her for a

then asked, “Have

gently, “Yeah, just had something.

something too.”

his hand, offering them

to

a look, nodded quietly, “I’ll drive

the report

the way to school, neither of

each had their own

turned to Brandon with

her get out of the car before he too got out and followed her to the

building, buzzing with people, Brandon saw Louis and Martin, along

also Brandon’s father, Daniel Crawley,

bewildered Marian, their eyes red

stood on the outskirts of the group, watching the tears in their eyes, especially Louis’s, but his expression wasn’t as

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