Chapter 7 - MOMENTS OF A FATHERAfter Amelia stormed off with threats to destroy my career, a suffocating silence settled over the room. Dr. Vance entered, sighing as he looked at Grace and me. "The marrow compatibility test results for Leo and Maya will take at least twelve hours. In the meantime, Chloe needs to remain in a completely sterile environment. I suggest taking the other two children to rest; they are thoroughly exhausted."
Looking at Leo and Maya curled up on the chairs, a profound ache bloomed in my chest. I turned to Grace. "Security at this hospital has been breached by my mother and Amelia. I have a private estate in Lake Forest—where my mother has no access and my private security team operates. Let me take you and the kids there to rest for now."
Grace opened her mouth to refuse, but seeing her two little ones shivering from the cold, she reluctantly acquiesced. "I'm going for the children, not for you."
Thirty minutes later, my armored SUV rolled out, carrying Grace, Leo, and Maya away from the hospital under the escort of four security vehicles. Chloe remained in the pediatric ICU under 24/7 monitoring by Dr. Vance and a dedicated security detail I had personally deployed.
When the SUV pulled into the Lake Forest estate, dawn was breaking. The secluded mansion sat peacefully by the lake, entirely removed from the chaos of the city.
Grace carried the sleeping Maya into a guest room, while I held Leo’s hand. The three-year-old boy let me hold his hand, but his gray-blue eyes were guarded. He didn't cry; his precocious maturity made my heart ache even more.
"Would you like some warm milk?" I knelt in front of Leo, trying to shrink my large frame so I wouldn't intimidate him.
Leo stared at me, his small lips pressed into a tight line. He took a step back, folding his arms in a defensive posture. "You don't have to pretend to be nice."
I froze. "Leo... I'm..."
"My mom said our dad died a long time ago," Leo said, his tone firm and his gray-blue eyes—so identical to mine—flashing with anger. "Mom cries a lot at night. Every time she looks at an old photo, she cries. Did you make my mom cry?"
Another blade drove deep into my soul. I couldn't bring myself to lie to a child with such sharp perception.
"Yes," I choked out, tears welling in my eyes. "I hurt your mother. I made a terrible mistake in the past... I was a awful person. But I promise you, from now on, I will never let anyone hurt your mother or any of you again. I am your father, Leo."
Leo studied me for a long time. He didn't embrace me, nor did he call me "Dad." He simply reached into his red raincoat pocket and pulled out a small plastic toy car with a broken wheel.
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"Fix this wheel for me," Leo whispered, his voice quiet yet challenging. "If you can fix it, I'll believe you."
I took the worn plastic car, flooded with overwhelming emotion. This child didn't care about money or empty promises. He was testing the real presence of a father.
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