Chapter 410: Securing the DNA Sample

Even Harlan, despite his usual denseness, noticed a change in Janice's demeanor. I didn't have time to explain; grabbing his collar, I gestured quickly. Thankfully, his brain worked faster this time. "You want me to follow him?" he asked. I nodded. Zoey abandoned her meal and followed. I climbed into Harlan's car; at least being with him wouldn't arouse suspicion.

I'd known Carter for a long time. He was always calm, brooding, and ruthless. But tonight, he was completely out of control. I understood; he'd been living a lie for years. But that wasn't the worst part. The real blow was the high probability that Amber was his mother. That would mean he shared blood ties with the Carlyns—the demons who had killed me. The more he loved me, the harder it was for him to accept this truth.

Of course, we were still speculating. Everything hung in the balance until we had the paternity test results. Even if Amber truly was his mother, I wouldn't blame him. I was only afraid he wouldn't be able to handle it. After all, it had taken so much for me to return to his side. The thought of losing him again terrified me.

Zoey, partially in the dark about the situation, noticed my distress. For once, she didn't joke around. Holding my hand solemnly, she said, "Don't worry. I'm here. No matter what happens, I'll stand by you."

In my past life, I hadn't had many friends. Even those I did have drifted away after graduation. I never imagined Zoey would become my closest companion, someone I'd entrust my life to. Her face was so different from the Zoey I once knew. I couldn't help but recall her in that black dress, her pale face like a withered flower. I was touched, and my eyes stung with tears. At least I wasn't facing this alone anymore. I squeezed her hand and nodded. Through the rearview mirror, Harlan saw our clasped hands. His brow furrowed slightly, confusion flickering in his eyes.

"What secrets are you two hiding?" he asked in a low voice. Naturally, I couldn't answer. Zoey, focused on comforting me, snapped back, "It's girls' secrets. Why do you need to know everything?" Harlan was left speechless.

I wasn't in the mood to dwell on the dynamics between Zoey and Harlan. My eyes remained glued to Carter's car ahead. He was heading straight to the Dolton residence. Without a plan, he drove right up to their house. Rain started to fall as we parked on the roadside with the headlights off. With the windshield wipers off, the heavy rain poured down like a curtain, blanketing everything. Raindrops scattered across the windows, forming a dense mosaic. In the distance, the petals of roses on the white walls trembled.

I clenched my fists tightly, silently praying. I hoped Yael truly liked me as much as he claimed. I feared his good feelings might prove destructive. If he told Amber I was alive, she would immediately guard herself against Carter. Lightning flashed across the sky, followed by a deafening clap of thunder. Each strike felt like a hand gripping my heart tighter, filling me with dread. Zoey gently patted my back, whispering words of comfort. "It's okay. Everything will be fine." I didn't blink while staring ahead. Was Carter about to reveal everything? What would he say? I knew Amber wouldn't harm him, but what if she locked him up after the confrontation? What if he disappeared from my life forever?

My mind spiraled into worst-case scenarios. I had no idea how much time had passed when Carter finally reappeared, walking through the rain without an umbrella. Tiffany trailed behind him, still limping from her earlier injuries, struggling to catch up while holding an umbrella to shield him. My heart leaped to my throat. Then I saw Tiffany wrap her arms around Carter from behind.

Only then did I breathe a sigh of relief. Maybe Yael hadn't spilled the truth. If that were the case, the Doltons wouldn't suspect Carter. To Tiffany, he was still the man she longed for. Relaxing slightly, I noticed Zoey rolling up her sleeves, ready to jump out of the car. "That shameless woman!" she spat. I grabbed her arm to stop her.

Harlan chimed in, "Don't worry. If Carter really liked her, they'd have been together years ago." Zoey scoffed. "You can't be sure. Men are shameless, especially when something is handed to them on a silver platter." Her words hit Harlan like arrows, leaving him exasperated. "Janice, I've explained a hundred times. I only ever saw Nina as a sister. Helping her was just a kind gesture." Zoey shot him a glare. "Accepting hugs from women other than your wife makes you a scumbag. Period." Thanks to what happened with Ashley, she was particularly intolerant of ambiguous relationships. Harlan could only sigh in defeat.

Just then, Carter shoved Tiffany away. She tried to approach him again, but he didn't hold back. With one forceful motion, Tiffany and her umbrella fell into the muddy puddles. Carter didn't even glance back as he strode off. Water splashed onto Tiffany as his car sped by, yet she still tried to crawl after him. Amber emerged just in time to witness the scene. My heart tightened as Harlan quickly followed Carter. Fortunately, Amber's attention was entirely on Tiffany and not us. I cautiously checked the rearview mirror, ensuring no one was tailing us.

Zoey squeezed my hand. "That woman—she's suspicious, isn't she?" I nodded and traced two words on her palm: Devil. The woman who gave birth to two little devils was definitely no ordinary person.

After driving for a while, Carter pulled over to the side of the road. Through the rain, the blinking turn signals cast an eerie glow. I opened the car door and climbed into his vehicle. His clothes were soaked, and damp hair clung to his sharp features. His dark eyes were piercing and unyielding. But when they settled on me, there was a trace of guilt. "Sorry for making you worry," he murmured. I placed my hand on his and gently patted it. He reached up and ruffled my hair. "Don't be afraid. I won't do anything reckless. Amber doesn't know you're alive. I've got the sample, and I'll send it for testing immediately."

I was stunned that he'd gotten it so easily. It felt strange. Yael hadn't told her anything? At least he didn't want me dead. That was a relief. "After you went missing the other day, Damian visited the hospital. Amber came to see me several times. Tonight, she let her guard down. Even though I acted out of character, she thought it was because I was losing my mind over your disappearance. She didn't suspect anything."

Carter gazed at the downpour outside and said, "I switched cars, replaced the dashcam, and her only informant is in the hospital. She can't control me anymore." But if that were true, why didn't you seem happy? Were you afraid? Afraid she might really be your mother?

I typed on my phone, "Carl, no matter whose son you are, I love you. That's an unchangeable fact."