âMr. Adelmar.â Daniel leaned over from the sickbed. âThereâs no need for a paternity test. I trust you, and I also trust Doris,â
âDoris is right. You will only continue to be bothered until this matter is clarified. Since you want to be together, donât let anything come between you, and Iâll feel guilty too, if Iâm the reason behind it.â
âMr. Adelmarâ¦â
âThat settles it.â Waylon said. âIâll go get hair samples from Una and Nessa right away, do a paternity test, and show you the results to put your mind at ease.â
âMr. Adelmar!â Doris and Daniel called out together. However, Waylon had already walked out resolutely.
Half an hour later, Waylon arrived at Starhill Garden.
The nanny, Mrs. Flores, opened the door for him.
âI need Unaâs hair.â Waylon said directly. âHe hasnât gone to sleep, has he?â
If Una had fallen asleep, he would have to wait. He couldnât wake up the child just for a strand of hair.
âNo,â Mrs. Flores replied. âUna and Nessa are learning to walk, playing with their baby walkers.â
âIn that case, Iâll go see them, Waylon said, slipping into slippers and entering the living room. Sure enough, Una and Nessa stood in their baby walkers, gliding around the living room.
When they saw Waylon come in, the two little ones stopped gliding and giggled at him.
Nessa was already speaking a bit and could already greet him.
Waylon felt a softness in his heart, an unfamiliar sensation washing over him.
If Doris and Daniel had truly become a couple, these adorable twins would become Danielâs after they got married, and they would call him âDad.â
Waylon felt a pang of pain in his heart, a feeling he was very reluctant to accept. But there was nothing he could do; it was Doris who had chosen Daniel.
She and Daniel had gone through a life-and-death experience together, and their relationship had taken a qualitative leap. Unlike him, who had always remained somewhat distant and lukewarm from Doris.
âMr. Adelmar, what do you need Unaâs hair for?â Mrs. Flores asked.
âA paternity test.â Waylon didnât hide it either. âDaniel and Doris are dating, and I donât want Daniel to misunderstand Doris because of me. So, Iâm doing a paternity test for me and the children so that Daniel -can put his mind at ease.â
âButâ¦â Mrs. Flores frowned. âThatâs not right, Mr. Adelmar. Doris doesnât like Daniel. They are just friends!â
Itâs different now, Waylon said. âDanieâs willingness to sacrifice himself moved Doris, so itâs understandable that sheâd want to reciprocate. I get it.â
âSo be it, Waylon said. âI need Unaâs hair for the test. Iâm off to the hospital.â
With that, he gently picked up Una and patted him in his arms, saying softly, âIâm sorry. This will only hurt a little.â
Then he gently plucked a strand of hair from Una. Afterward, he kissed the little oneâs check and put him back in the baby walker.
âMr. Adelmar, is there a misunderstanding between you and Doris?â Mrs. Flores still didnât want to give up. âWhat misunderstanding?â Waylon said. âWe get along naturally, like water and oil.
âThatâs the problem,â Mrs. Flores argued. âWhy donât you two try getting to know each other a little more?â
âMrs. Flores, are you kidding?â Waylon laughed. âAm I such a casual person? Doris is also not a frivolous. woman either.â
âOf course, youâre both good people,â Mrs. Flores said. âWhat I mean is-
âI have other matters to attend to; I wonât talk to you about this anymore.â
Waylon waved to Una and Nessa and walked away.
Back at the hospital, Waylon went directly to the biology department and requested an on-the-spot, comprehensive paternity test. He insisted that all the necessary signatures and endorsements be included.
After a little over an hour, the results were ready. Waylon took the report and headed toward the orthopedic ward at the back.
Daniel should be put to ease now after reading the paternity test result, right? He and Doris could continue their relationship without distractions, too. Despite wishing them well, Waylon couldnât help feeling inexplicably annoyed.
Upon arriving at Danielâs ward, he knocked on the door cautiously. He didnât dare barge in again for fear of seeing something he shouldnât.
Doris and Daniel had just survived a life-threatening situation, and now they were most likely getting along harmoniously.
âCome in,â Dorisâ gentle voice came from behind the door.
Sheâs still in there after so long? Looks like sheâs serious about taking care of Daniel. Waylon felt a pang of sadness but held onto the paternity test report and strutted in.