Chapter 1902
After a moment of inner deliberation, Belinda finally voiced her thoughts. “As for Elwood, let’s be patient for now. I want to hear Carola’s perspective before we take any further steps.”
“That sounds wise,” Lucas agreed with a nod.
Meanwhile, at the Wright family’s residence, fate arranged a parallel conversation.
By coincidence, Galen was also asking Carola about Elwood. “Carola, now that we’ve confirmed beyond any doubt that Belinda is your daughter, shouldn’t we notify the Wright family in Soling and arrange for Elwood and Belinda to undergo a paternity test?”
Galen’s question lingered in the air for several heartbeats before Carola straightened her shoulders and gave a decisive nod. “Yes.”
She paused briefly. “Whatever exists between Elwood and me has nothing to do with Belinda. I believe Belinda longs for a father’s love. So, regardless of the painful history Elwood and I share, I refuse to take away Belinda’s right to know the man who gave her life.”
Galen nodded. “Those are exactly my thoughts as well. So tell me, when do you plan to talk to Elwood about this?”
Carola’s eyes shimmered with uncertainty. “Let a few more days pass. I need to spend some meaningful time reconnecting with my daughter first.”
Galen’s voice carried warmth as he comforted her. “Put your worries aside, Carola. You’ve known Belinda for many years, and she’s always respected you. Your kindness toward her has never gone unnoticed. Building a bond with her should come naturally. She’s simply struggling to accept the sudden upheaval of everything she believed about herself. But her difficulty in accepting the truth doesn’t mean she can’t accept you as her mother.”
Carola caught her lower lip between her teeth and let out a soft sigh. “I understand that. I’m just being a little impatient.”
Galen continued calmly, “And about Belinda choosing not to live with us—you heard her reasons for staying with Kenia and Lucas. Naturally, she wouldn’t abandon them so easily. This really shouldn’t weigh so heavily on your mind. You should try to make peace with her choice.”
Carola fell silent at his words, her thoughts drifting down an entirely different path.
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Just as she was about to speak, a frantic voice shattered the room’s calm. “What exactly is going on? How is Kylee suddenly no longer my cousin?”
Mitchell burst through the doorway, shock written all over him, sunglasses and a mask still clinging to his face. The news had reached him quickly, prompting an immediate flight back to the country and a desperate rush home.
Saniya fixed Mitchell with a stern, disapproving look and gestured toward an empty chair. “Sit down and catch your breath first.”
Mitchell waved off her concern impatiently as he tore off his sunglasses and mask. “I’m breathing just fine. But someone needs to explain the situation to me. How did Belinda suddenly become my cousin? Is there some kind of mistake?”
He was stunned by the bombshell revelation.
Lyle’s voice rose with certainty. “There is absolutely no mistake. The paternity test between Aunt Carola and Belinda was conducted at three separate, highly reputable testing facilities. How could results that thorough be wrong? Moreover, Baker himself confessed that he and Holley switched Aunt Carola’s baby with their own child years ago.”
Mitchell fell silent.
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