Liam walked beside Alexander, his hands stuffed in the pockets of his jacket, his eyes darting around as if he still wasn’t sure if he belonged here. Alexander had seen that look before, in business associates who felt out of place in his world. But with Liam it was different.
It wasn’t just uncertainty, it was the deep seated belief that he was always one step away from being left behind again. After a while they found a bench near a pond, and Liam sat down watching a group of kids feed the ducks. Alexander sat beside him, unsure how to start the conversation he knew they needed to have.
You said your mom never talked about your father, he began. Liam tensed but nodded. What if she tried to find him? Liam turned to him his eyes wary.
What do you mean? Alexander chose his words carefully. What if she had doubts about who he was and tried to confirm it? Liam frowned processing the idea. I don’t know, he admitted.
She never said anything. She just, she worked a lot. She didn’t talk about stuff like that.
He looked away his voice quieter. I think she was afraid of something. Alexander felt a familiar unease settle in his chest.
If Evelyn had been afraid, it wasn’t without reason. And if Mark Donovan was the father, that fear might have been justified. If you had a chance to find out for sure would you want to, he asked.
Liam hesitated before giving a small shrug. I don’t know. I guess it doesn’t matter.
He’s not here right? Alexander exhaled slowly. The boy had been abandoned in so many ways that he had learned not to hope. It was a painful realization.
What if he did know about you? Alexander asked carefully. What if he found out now? Liam stiffened. I don’t want him to, he said quickly.
I don’t care if he’s some rich guy or whatever. He wasn’t there when my mom needed him so why would I need him now? The conviction in Liam’s voice was sharp and Alexander felt something settle in his chest. The boy didn’t need another powerful man treating him like an obligation.
He needed stability. He needed someone who wouldn’t disappear. And Alexander realized with startling clarity that he didn’t want to hand Liam over to anyone.
Not even if Mark Donovan turned out to be his biological father. He wasn’t sure when the shift had happened but the idea of letting Liam go felt wrong in a way that nothing in his structured life ever had before. That evening Alexander met with Daniel in his office.
The weight of his decision pressing on him. We need a paternity test, Alexander said without preamble. Daniel ever the professional simply nodded.
I can arrange it discreetly, he said. But if Donovan gets wind of it he’ll come looking. Alexander clenched his jaw.
Then we make sure he doesn’t find out at least not yet. Daniel studied him for a moment. You’ve already decided haven’t you, he asked.
Even if he’s the father you’re not giving Liam up. Alexander exhaled rubbing a hand over his face. The kid has been through enough, he admitted.
I’m not going to let some billionaire with a god complex walk in and claim him like a business acquisition. Daniel smirked. That’s a hell of a stance considering you’re a billionaire with a god complex.
Alexander shot him a look but Daniel only chuckled. All right, I’ll get the test done quietly. But if Donovan is the father we need a plan.
He doesn’t play fair. Alexander already knew that. He had seen firsthand how Mark Donovan operated.
Buying out companies, forcing people into corners until they had no choice but to surrender. But Liam wasn’t a company. He was a child.
And Alexander wasn’t about to let him be treated like a pawn in someone else’s game. Two days later, Daniel handed him an envelope containing the test results. Alexander opened it with steady hands, his heart pounding harder than he wanted to admit.
He scanned the document quickly and when he reached the conclusion he exhaled sharply. Mark Donovan was in fact Liam’s biological father. Alexander sat back in his chair, letting the reality sink in.
He had expected it but seeing the confirmation made it feel more real. Now the question was, what would he do with this information? He had promised himself that he wouldn’t let Liam be tossed into uncertainty again. But keeping this from Mark Donovan wouldn’t be easy.
The man had resources and if he ever found out he would demand his rights. For now, Alexander decided he wouldn’t say anything. He would protect Liam for as long as he could, keep him safe from the storm that was sure to come.
But deep down he knew it was only a matter of time before Mark Donovan learned the truth. And when that happened, Alexander would have to be ready for a battle unlike any he had fought before. Before going next please subscribe our channel like and share with friends.
Alexander knew he was walking on thin ice. Keeping the paternity test results a secret was risky, but he couldn’t let Mark Donovan take control of Liam’s life. The boy had already endured enough instability, and Alexander wasn’t going to let another powerful man treat him like an asset to be claimed.
However, the weight of the truth pressed on him daily, and he knew it was only a matter of time before something forced his hand. Liam had begun to settle into his new life, though he still carried an air of caution. He wasn’t used to the idea of permanence and Alexander understood why.
The boy had been abandoned in more ways than one, and trust wasn’t something that came easily to him. But there were moments, small fleeting moments, when Alexander saw glimpses of the child Liam could have been if life had been kinder to him. Like when they visited a bookstore in Midtown, and Liam’s eyes lit up at the shelves stacked high with stories.
Or when they took a walk along the Hudson River, and Liam for the first time, asked Alexander a question about his childhood. These moments told Alexander that despite everything, Liam still had hope buried somewhere deep inside him. One evening, Alexander returned home to find Liam sitting at the dining table with an open book in front of him.
The boy wasn’t reading though. He was staring at the pages as if lost in thought. Something on your mind? Alexander asked as he set down his briefcase.
Liam hesitated before nodding. I was thinking about my mom, he admitted quietly. Alexander pulled out a chair and sat across from him.
What about her? Liam traced a finger along the edge of the book. She worked a lot. I didn’t always understand why she was so tired all the time but now I do.
She was trying to make sure we were okay. But I think she was sad too. Alexander felt a pang of sympathy.
Evelyn had done her best, but she had carried burdens no one should have to bear alone. She loved you, Alexander said. That much is clear.
Liam nodded but didn’t look up. Do you think she knew who my dad was? The question made Alexander pause. Liam had never asked so directly before.