Kirabent down and pecked Jennie’s forehead, ‘Then go
Jennie did a little happy hop before scampering over to the queue.
Kira watched her grab Austyn’s hand.
Jennie was talking excitedly and carrying on a one–sided conversation.
Austyn nodded occasionally.
kica tousled posa’s hair.
He was quieter than usual,
“Honey, what’s wrong?”
Joshua said nothing.
‘Come on. I can tell you have something on your mind. Can you share it with Mummy?
Ricamimicked her daughter and put both palms together. ‘Please? Pretty please?”
Joshuasighed. ‘Is that man really my father??
ah, so that was the question.
Kira pondered for a while. ‘Do you want him to be?”
Joshua mulled in
It OFCE.
He wasn’t sure of the answer.
Though he often saw other kids who had both parents, Joshua never felt there was anything amiss about his family.
The three of them–Mu, him and Jennie–loved each other, and that wasenough.
Besides, he had so many uncles and aunts who visited them frequently and showered him and Jennie with gifts and affection.
He liked the way things were, and he wasn’t so sure if their family needed one more member.
He was just three year old now, but he would soon grow up and he could protect his mother and sister.
He didn’t see the point of having someone else join–no, intrude into their little family unit
The mancalled Mr Taylor looked a little intimidating, to be honest
And he was stand–offish
Joshus could bell the man wasn’t too thrilled to see Mummy
Maybe the mandidn’t want to join their family, either.
Joshua sile another glance at his sister, who was still chatteringen
He couldn’t hear what she was saying, but it was obvious that Jennie liked the man very much
After a long while, Joshua made up his mind
He nodded. ‘If Jernie wants him to be our father, I’m okay with it.”
Bira planted kiss on the top of his head.
she knew how much joshua adored his twin sister.
He was even willing to make such a huge concession for Jennie.
Kira squeezed her son’s shoulder affectionately. ‘Jennie’s opinion matters. But so does yours, honey. You don’t have to decide right now. Maybe you can observe bin for a while and then see for yourself if you’d want him in our family.”
She looked him in the eye and made a promise. “II you don’t like him, I won’t let him be your father
“What about you?”
Joshua looked at his mother. ‘What about your opinion? Do you like that man?‘
Kira fell silent.
What happened four years ago had left an indelible scar in her heart.
The pain of losing her father had become slightly more bearable with time, but it would never completely go away.
Kira had loved Austyn with her whole heart.
But he lied to her.
He wasn’t the one who murdered her father, but he was the murderer’s son.
The scar on his body wamed him that maybe it was best to let sleeping dogs lle.
But now, the DNA report sent a surge of unfamiliar feelings through his heart
He had the impressible urge to learn about his past.
If Duncan, the private investigator couldn’t find anything, maybe it was time for Austyn to take a more proactive approach
He took another deep breath, tore the report to shreds and strode away.
Rowechased after him
He had no idea where his boss was going
Ina bury to catch up to Austyn, he bumped into someone who just fumed and a comer
‘Sorry.“Rowe apologised in anush
“Watch where you are going. The men rubbed his shoulder and complained
Austyn paused and tossed Rowe a glance.
The assistant followed immediately.
‘Stop! The man shouted
Rowe tumed back, impatient. ‘Talorady apologised. What more do you want?!
But he realised the man wasn’t talking to him.
He was gawking at Austyn–boss?”
He sprinted towards Austyn Boss, in that meally you!
Rowe stepped in front of Austyn and spread or both arms like a barricade. What are you doing?”
Austyn glanced at the man, who clearly knew him
Whathis other acquaintance from his past?
The mantled to move past Rowe, ‘Boss, it’s
The man was thrown for a moment…
Howe sat by filimself in a comer of the caté, keeping sigilate the man where melt Kai Sett Faiwanstalking to Manlyn aal gesticulating wildly.
His face was fed with excitement.
Bowe woodcard who the man was
Mr Taylor seemed to have a lot of friends in Stamfoni.
“You know who I am,‘ Austyn stated adter he sat down.
Kai was trembling, tretjoyed. Of course I know you! You are my boss! I worked for you for ears!”
He passed when he sensed the solemn look on Austyn’s face
Doss, do you do you not arcognise me?!
1hwe no idea who you are,” Ailyn answered honestly.
Kal’s eyes widened. “What?”
Amnesia Austyn give act answer. “Tell me about my past. Just the key events
Kai was still reeling from the shock
Austyn tapped ather on the table, impatient. “Did you hear me?”
Kai snapped out of it and nodded. ‘Yes‘
He mulled it over. ‘Let me begin with the Mccarthy family, then
For the next half an hour, he told Austyn everything he knew, mostly about the two–year stint in the army and the M Group.
A picture started to form in Austyn’s mind.
He seemed to come from a prominent family, and he was the eldest son
Which made it puzzling that he didn’t find any mention of the name Austyn McCarthy online.
It looked as if someone tried hard to erase his existence.
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