Betrayed and Dumped: She Rose Stronger Than Ever novel Chapter 479

Stephen’s breath caught the second he saw those big, bold words on the folder. Paternity Test Report. For a moment, he couldn’t move.

“Go on, open it,” Joan said, giving him a look that was both gentle and encouraging.

Stephen almost didn’t bother. The way Joan watched him told him everything he needed to know. Still, he flipped to the last page, scanned the conclusion, and felt a strange sort of calm wash over him. No shock. He’d expected this.

“When did you even get my sample?” he asked, his voice low.

Joan’s eyes flickered. “You hardly ever came to the hospital, but you always left something behind. Like a few strands of hair.” She reached into her bag and pulled out a clear little pouch, some of his hair sealed safely inside.

She gave a tiny shrug. “If you don’t believe me, you can always ask a doctor to check if it’s yours.”

Stephen stared down at the table, silent. He was just trying to buy himself a few seconds to let it all sink in. Out of nowhere, he had a son. Just like that.

He was a dad.

Ben.

He looked over at the boy. Stephen’s hands tightened into fists. There was something about the kid… the shape of his eyes, the stubborn line of his jaw. They really did look alike. If he didn’t know, absolutely for sure, that nothing had ever happened with Joan, he might have started to wonder.

He shook his head and looked away, refusing to meet Ben’s eyes.

“What do you want from me?” he asked Joan, his voice steady.

A ripple of excitement ran through Joan. She’d thought she’d have to wait longer, maybe push harder, but everything was happening so smoothly. Was Stephen really just… believing her? No questions? It was more than she’d dared to hope.

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