The Devil's Love For The Heiress

Chapter 49

Chapter 49: We Are Family “Go ahead, son.

Read the results,” he heard Samantha encourage. While unfolding the paper in his hand, Carlos sensed his heart galloping. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead. His emotions were all over the place. It was a mix of worry, excitement, and fear.

In every second that passed, Carlos sensed his surroundings hushed. Cold air seemed to have engulfed him, and chills ran down his spine.

His eyes landed on the set of letters and numbers that were alien to him, but what really mattered the most were the lines written at the bottom of the page. He gulped as he read,” Based.”

He blinked before resuming, “Based on testing results obtained, the probability of paternity is 99.9999998%.”

The test results suggested that the man in the grave was, in fact, Manuel Ronaldo, Carlos’ father.

Dead air fell upon them as Carlos shut his eyes. His hand let the paper fall to the floor. He leaned forward and covered his face with his hands, and he continued to take deep breaths again and again. Softly, he said, “Some… some part of me… hoped.” It could not be helped. Carlos’ heart sank. Even if knowing the truth saved him the trouble of searching for a missing father, the words of Hugo made him look forward to the possibility. The signed will and testament made him consider. The suggestion of officer Baker flickered a bit of hope in him. Now he was back to mourning. It was as if he was reliving the days of his father’s passing. It wasn’t the same pain, but it was still heart-wrenching. Alexander did not know how to react. He was equally pained for his friend. He merely sat in silence, his brows meeting. Lemuel, however, nodded. He somewhat expected it already.

Kate was quick to approach Carlos. She sat on the armrest of his chair and hugged him from his side. She said, “I’m sorry, Carlos, but it’s okay. At least… now we know.” “Son, it’s okay to feel this way. It’s

understandable,” Samantha said, while tears were threatening to fall from her eyes. “Know that your father and your mother are both in a better place now.”

“It’s just that.” Carlos eventually spoke. He turned to Kate with tears welled in his eyes. Then, he forced a smile and said, “I hoped I had a family, you know. That was my chance of having one again.” “But you have a family. We are family.” Ethan sat up and opened his arms. “Come here.” ; Seeing Ethan’s welcoming arms, Carlos stood up and embraced him. He knew Ethan’s grip was the closest thing he could have to a father’s hold. They both firmly stayed in that same state for seconds longer, with Ethan repeatedly tapping Carlos’ back. Ethan said, “You did not completely lose your father, Carlos. His love and memories live in you. It’s the same with your mnother.”

Peeling off Carlos, Ethan repeated, “And you have a family in us.” He bowed his licad as he

insisted, “We are your family. You may have lived with us for only two years, but that was enough to make you part of our family.”

“That’s true, son,” Samantha supplemented. She also rose from her seat and pulled Carlos into her embrace. Tears evidently fell on her cheeks as she claimed, “I am your second mother … and I love you as a son. You know that, right?”

“Thank you, aunt. Thank you,” Carlos acknowledged, all while savoring in Samantha’s embrace. At that point, the tears that he tried to hold back fell down Carlos’ cheeks. “And I am your second father,” Ethan added. Kate’s father was not one to show emotions, but he saw the longing in Carlos’ eyes that he was close to giving into tears. However, he sniffed the idea away and suggested, “And sooner or later, you will be… officially my son.” While letting go of Samantha’s hold, Ethan leaned closer to Carlos and whispered, “You just need to hurry up a bit.” “Thank you, uncle. I have that sorted out,” Carlos meekly said, indirectly confirming Ethan’s words. “I’m sure you do,” Ethan replied under his breath. Finally, when Kate had her chance, she wrapped her arms around Carlos’ neck and buried her face

into his chest. She proposed, “And you have me.” Looking up at him, her face burned as she added, “And I’m the love of your life.”

Giggles surrounded the air at Kate’s words, but it was exactly what they needed to lighten up everyone’s mood. Lemuel stood from his seat. He smiled from ear to ear as he remarked, “What a beautiful family you have, sir. I’m sure your parents are happy to know you have another family that cares for you.” “Thank you, Lemuel,” Carlos acknowledged. His gaze fell on Alexander, who was still in his seat. Alexander gave Carlos a proud nod, saying, “You really do… have a great family, Carlos.”

***

Hours later.

From inside the Wright mansion’s dining room, Samantha told Lemuel and Alexander about the times when Kate and Carlos were kids. Samantha said, “Pastry is not my specialty, but occasionally I make some for the kids. There was one time when I made eclairs. I made sure that each of the kids had two pieces each, including Carlos. He was always our visitor back then, he always had his share. However, Kate wanted more to herself. She ate Carlos’ share.”

Samantha was so engrossed narrating the story her eyes widened as she resumed, “Carlos would not have known about it if not for Kaleb, Kate’s twin, telling on her. You know what Carlos did?”

“He ignored her for two days kate cried for an entire afternoon and begged me to make ten mars of eclairs for Carlos. She presented it as a peace offering to Carlos, but in the end, he ale (tiy one piece, and Kate ate the rest.”

From her seat, Kate was laughing, recalling how they were thirteen years old when that happened. She reasoned, “Carlos saw my eyes puffed, and he gifted back the eclairs for me!”

“And she shamelessly ate all nine pieces,” Carlos remarked. Just then, they heard footsteps coming from the living room. Someone was speaking loudly, “ Okay! Who needs a bear hug?” They all turned to find Kate’s twin, Kaleb. He walked in with arms raised, repeating himself, ” Who needs a brotherly hug? Carlos. Welcome back. Congratulations to the French Open Champion!” Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Kaleb leaned over and hugged Carlos strongly while patting his back. He said, “Sorry about the DNA test, but I’m glad you had that sorted out now.”

Carlos nodded. He replied, “Yes. It’s all good now.” “Wait.” Kyle, Kate’s older brother, walked in. His gaze landed on his father, and he asked with narrowed eyes, “Dad, did you ask Kaleb and me to come here just to give Carlos a hug?” “Yes,” Ethan answered. “Come here and give Carlos a hug.” “No!” Kyle refused. He looked at Carlos and empathized, “Carlos, I’m sorry about what happened, but you know… I’m not a hugger.” Kate and Kaleb were laughing hard, and Samantha shrieked at her husband’s orders. Tightening his eyes at Kyle, Ethan repeated his instructions in his firm and authoritative tone, “Give. Carlos. A. Hug. Now.” Kyle clenched his jaws, but there was no defying his father. Ethan was the king. In the family, he had the ultimate command. Thus, Kyle walked in the direction of Carlos. When he stood in front of him, he said, “Make it quick and painless.”

“Haha! Oh my god, Kyle!” Kate’s eyes were watering as she laughed out loud.

“You make it sound like a murder, Kyle,” Kaleb remarked.

Lemuel and Alexander, who were spectators of it all, were highly amused. The CEO of the Wright Diamond Corporation was about to give Carlos Ronaldo a hug. Carlos was already grinning like a fool. He was on his feet, stretching his arms to Kyle. He hugged him, and Kyle awkwardly returned the embrace. Kyle suggested, “For the record, this hug is a one-time thing. From now on, I will give all my hugging rights to Kate and Kaleb.” Pulling away, Carlos laughed. He replied, “Thank you, Kyle, for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity hug.” “Carlos,” Kyle called

“Yes, Kyle?” Carlos asked. “The hug was a little longer than I expected,” Kyle complained, his eyes thinning. “Hey, it was… at least painless,” Carlos replied with a smirk. “No one. I repeat. No one should know about this,” Kyle warned.

Everyone else laughed hysterically at the end.

Heartbeats later, Alexander checked his mobile for the tenth time. He turned to Carlos and asked, “Did… did Savannah contact you, by the way?” “Why?” Carlos asked.