Ran Away Pregnant Came Back Alpha Heiress (Amelia and Damien) novel Chapter 297

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**Night Whispers Forgotten Names – Colin Shah 297**

**Chapter 297**

**Damien’s POV**

On the day of Stacy’s next appointment with Annette, I decided to take the girls to the hospital affiliated with Gray’s pack. The air was thick with a mix of anticipation and anxiety as we walked through the sterile corridors. Upon our arrival, we were swiftly escorted to an examination room tucked away in the back, where Annette was already waiting for us. I gently nudged the girls ahead of me, eager to see their reactions.

At first, Annette’s expression was a deep frown, her brows knitted together in concern. Yet, the moment her gaze landed on the girls, her demeanor transformed. A radiant smile broke across her face. “Amy! Stacy! How wonderful to see you both!” she exclaimed, her voice brightening the room.

“Hi, Mom!” Stacy chirped, her enthusiasm palpable.

“Mommy!” Amy echoed, her little arms outstretched as she rushed towards Annette.

The girls flung themselves into her embrace, and for a fleeting moment, it felt as if the world around us faded away. Despite our countless conversations where Annette and I had clarified that she wasn’t their mother, the girls clung to the title with unwavering conviction. As they enveloped Annette in their warmth, she didn’t even attempt to correct them.

And honestly, I found myself not wanting to either.

Watching them in this tender moment, like a true family, stirred something deep within me. It was as if I had stepped into an alternate reality where Amelia was alive, and the girls got to experience the love of their mother. A bittersweet pang of hope surged through me, urging me to believe that Annette might somehow be Amelia. Yet, I was acutely aware of how unfair that notion was—to her, to me, and most importantly, to the girls.

The reality was that there was just as much chance that Annette wasn’t Amelia as there was that she was. Allowing this dynamic to persist could lead to heartache for all involved. Yet, in that moment, I chose to let it be. The joy radiating from my daughters was too precious to disrupt, even if the potential fallout loomed ominously in the background.

Once the hugs subsided, Annette straightened herself, returning to her professional demeanor.

“Hello, Annette,” I greeted, trying to gauge her mood. “How are you today?”

As she glanced my way, her smile faltered, replaced with a curt, almost cold response. “I’m fine,” she replied, her tone sharp enough to catch me off guard. What could I have possibly done to earn such a frosty reply? Was there something I had inadvertently upset her about?

I racked my brain, searching for clues. Our last conversation had felt positive, so I was at a loss.

Her smile returned as she turned her attention back to the girls. “Shall we begin our examination, Stacy?” she asked, her voice warm again.

“Okay!” Stacy replied, her excitement bubbling over as she bounded to the examination table.

As Annette proceeded with the examination, her earlier coldness seemed to dissipate, giving way to a more cheerful demeanor. Perhaps I had misread her signals.

To be fair, I had been under a considerable amount of stress lately. Claire was making power plays, attempting to manipulate everyone around her, including me. I was resolute in not succumbing to her tactics, but it was just one more challenge to juggle while managing the pack and trying to be a single father to two energetic girls.

I was nearly ready to dismiss the whole situation when Annette suddenly shifted gears and directed her attention back to me with a series of pointed questions.

“Has she been eating regularly?” she inquired, her smile vanishing once more. The flatness of her voice hinted at annoyance, as if she resented having to ask me these questions.

“Yes, I believe so,” I replied, taken aback by the abrupt shift in her tone.

“No changes in appetite?” she pressed, her eyes narrowing slightly.

“No,” I confirmed, feeling a strange tension building between us.

“Good,” Annette responded, her smile re-emerging as she returned her focus to Stacy.

So, it wasn’t my imagination. Something was definitely bothering her, but what could it be?

Perhaps I shouldn’t have let her mood affect me. After all, we didn’t share a deep bond. She was simply doing her job, caring for Stacy, and I was thankful for her dedication. Yet, that realization only underscored the fact that our connection might not be as significant as I had hoped.