Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) novel Chapter 1087

Andrew took a deep breath, doing his best to stay calm as he asked, "So, you're telling me Mr. Rhodes knows about you and my dad?"

Tiana huffed. "I've never been the type to tiptoe around my past, especially not when it comes to love. I told Jameson everything before he married me—everything. In fact, he even knows I slept with Reginald. And get this—back in the day, your dad and Jameson were actually close friends!"

Andrew thought this was pure chaos. He rubbed his temples, feeling a pounding ache behind his eyes. His head throbbed—like, really throbbed.

"Please don't tell me…" Andrew said slowly, dread creeping into his voice, "…that Lauren isn't actually Mr. Rhodes' daughter, but my dad's?"

The second the words left his mouth, Tiana spat to the side and snapped, "You little punk, what the hell is wrong with you? I may be crazy, but do you really think I'd let Jameson raise another man's kid and not tell him?

"Relax. I know what you're thinking. You're worried Lauren might turn out to be your half-sister and boom—no more romance, right? Well, don't worry. Lauren has nothing to do with Reginald. She's mine and Jameson's."

Andrew let out a long sigh of relief. "Thank God. It's still a mess, but at least it's not that level of disaster."

Tiana gave a long, bitter sigh of her own. "Life really plays cruel jokes, huh? I fell for Reginald so hard back then. And now, all these years later, Lauren's fallen for you. It's like the universe is punishing me all over again."

Seeing the heaviness in her smile, Andrew straightened up. "Mrs. Rhodes, I'm not my dad. I'm serious about Lauren. I mean it."

Tiana shook her head gently. "Don't be so quick to promise things, kid. Reginald was the same way—brilliant, magnetic… utterly unforgettable. As the Dragon Prince, he was worshipped across the world. Women threw themselves at him without shame. Of course, he ended up with countless lovers, wives, soulmates, and god knows what else."