The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 198

Vivica snapped back to reality, realizing her eyes were wet with unshed tears. She quickly tried to compose herself. "It's nothing…"

But seeing him again brought back a flood of memories—the kiss in the dark, the dream that had consumed her entire night. The bruising on her face had started to fade, which only made the blush spreading across her cheeks more noticeable.

She mumbled that it was nothing, but as her mind cleared, she looked up at him and corrected herself. "Quintina just called. She told me… my mom isn't my biological mother."

Joseph's expression immediately hardened, his eyes narrowing.

"Quintina knew last night," Vivica continued in a low, trembling voice. "She waited until this morning to tell me because she didn't want me to lose sleep over it."

He didn't know what to say. He'd meant to ask her about it yesterday, but other things had distracted him and it had slipped his mind. Quintina had arranged for the DNA test, and he knew the results should have been ready. He'd assumed that no news was good news, that the matter was settled. He never imagined this would be the outcome.

"My whole life, I never once doubted it," Vivica whispered, her voice cracking. "Even with how obvious their favoritism was, none of our relatives or friends ever let anything slip…"

As she spoke, her composure crumbled.

She had tried so hard to keep her husband's love, to earn her parents' affection, compromising and sacrificing herself time and time again. In the end, she had lost everything. The more you give, the deeper the pain, the more profound the sense of loss. Joseph understood all of it.

He gently stroked her shoulder, saying nothing, simply holding her and letting her release the torrent of grief and pain she had held inside for so long. He had faith in her resilience. He knew that she would find a way to heal.

And he was right. After letting herself cry freely in his arms, her sobs gradually subsided. As her mind cleared, however, she became acutely aware of her situation. The embarrassment hit her like a physical blow. She didn't know how to pull away, how to face him, especially after they had kissed just last night.

But she couldn't hide in his embrace forever. Taking a deep, shaky breath to steady herself, Vivica finally pushed herself away.