Chapter 411: The Test Results

To avoid delays, Carter immediately sent the samples for testing. The heavy rain gradually calmed his emotions. When he looked at me again, his gaze softened. “You must be starving. Let’s go home and eat.” I nodded.

Ever since learning Damian worked for Amber, Carter had changed our location to avoid her surveillance. This time, he brought me to another villa, a place only Harlan and his wife knew about. When we arrived, Harlan's face was dark and stormy. Whatever he and Zoey had discussed in the car clearly hadn't gone well. Zoey, however, seemed unconcerned. With her usual nonchalance, she pouted and said, “Ugh, the takeout’s gone cold. Good thing I was smart enough to order another batch on the way back.” Harlan remained silent, staring at her.

Carter’s mood wasn’t much better. Until the test results arrived, he remained tense and irritable. “I’m going to change,” he said, and Harlan followed him upstairs.

Zoey pulled a can of soda from the takeout bag and handed it to me. “The food’s a bust, but at least the drinks are fine. Don’t let it get you down. Life’s too short—we should make every day a happy one.”

I didn’t want soda; I wanted alcohol. Carter probably felt the same. I went to the wine cellar and brought out some bottles. Harlan had likely gone upstairs to question Carter about Zoey, but I couldn’t be sure if Carter would tell him anything.

When they came back down, I pulled Carter aside and asked, “Did you say anything?” He shook his head. “This matter isn’t just about your rebirth; it also involves Zoey’s secret. I’m not in the habit of exposing someone else’s secrets. It’s up to her to tell him if she wants to.”

I figured Zoey wouldn’t tell Harlan. She seemed to live each day as if it were her last. There was no way she’d reveal the truth. It wasn’t wise to get entangled with someone who was never meant to be part of your life. She kept saying she wanted a relationship, but in reality, she was letting go. By cutting off all ties, she ensured no one would grieve when she left. That’s why she acted so coldly toward Harlan, always picking fights and refusing to show him any warmth. She didn’t want him to fall for her. She knew she couldn’t offer him a future, so she chose to extinguish the spark before it became a flame. She was always a kind woman.

I reached out and gently cupped Carter’s face. I wanted to cheer him up, but his eyes were clouded and lifeless. He felt ashamed of the blood that connected him to Amber. Softly, I said, “Let’s eat.” He must not have been eating properly these past few days—his weight loss was evident. Staring out at the storm, he murmured, “The results will be ready tomorrow.” I pulled him to the sofa and handed him a glass of wine. “Let’s not worry about tomorrow and drink to our hearts’ content tonight.”

Zoey raised her glass of red wine. “Wow, this is good! How did I never realize wine tasted so amazing before?” Although previously depressed, she neither smoked nor drank. Harlan, still visibly irritated, shot her a glance. “Don’t drink too much.” She pouted. “Mind your own business.” Harlan wanted to say something, but in the end, he joined Carter in a drinking contest. It had been ages since I had last indulged, but tonight, I needed it.

From barely escaping death on the island to living in constant fear at the Carlyn Residence, it was only when I was with Carter that I felt truly safe. Zoey appeared carefree, but I knew it was just a facade. We’d all been brought together by our own struggles, and tonight, we sought solace in the bottom of a glass.

Zoey raised her glass again. “Here’s to your future! May you guys live long and happy lives.” Harlan frowned at her words, clearly displeased. “It’s ‘we.’” Zoey smiled faintly. “Life’s already hard enough. I don’t want to live a long life. You guys can do that for me.”

“Janice, don’t you dare jump into the river again!” Harlan’s voice was sharp, thinking she was hinting at suicide. But in the next second, his tone softened. “Alright, stop messing around. I won’t meet her anymore. I’ve even deleted her number.” Zoey patted his cheek. “Don’t. Don’t change for me—it’s not worth it. After we get divorced, go ahead and marry her. She loves you, and you two make a good match. I’m not being sarcastic, Harlan—I mean it. You don’t realize how rare true love is in this world. It’s not easy to find someone who loves you. Even though Nina’s a manipulative drama queen, at least she loves you. That’s enough.”

She was drunk. Her tolerance was even worse than mine. Though I felt a bit lightheaded, my mind was still clear. Harlan carried her to her room. “You’re drunk.” “I’m not,” Zoey protested, flailing her arms. Before the door closed, I heard her murmur, “Don’t love me. We won’t have any future together.”

The living room fell silent, leaving only Carter and me. His concerned eyes held a trace of melancholy. “Are you okay?” I should’ve passed out by now, given my usual drinking limits. My heart raced wildly, and my head felt like it was being hammered, but I forced myself to stay lucid. At least for tonight, I didn’t want to fall asleep. I wanted to stay with him. Resting my head against his chest, I wrapped my arms around his neck and nuzzled him gently. “Carter, I’ll wait with you for the results. Please, don’t be sad.” I didn’t need words; he understood my thoughts. His arms gradually tightened their hold around me. “Chloe, thank you…”

What was there to thank me for? When I had been at my lowest after my rebirth, it was he who had stayed by my side, helping me claw my way out of the darkness. As long as I was alive, I would never stop loving him. Thunder roared outside, while we clung to each other indoors. Eventually, sleep overtook me, and I drifted off in his arms.

The next morning, I was awakened when Carter stirred. Footsteps approached from outside. A man I had never seen before walked in. He was tall and broad, exuding a ghostly aura of danger. His face was utterly forgettable, devoid of distinguishing features. This was the kind of man who could disappear into a crowd and kill without leaving a trace. Carter introduced him. “This is Jonas.” The man glanced at me briefly before handing Carter a sealed envelope. “The results are expedited. Alright, you may take your leave.”

Once he was gone, only Carter and I remained. With trembling fingers, Carter began untying the white string on the envelope. This wasn’t the calm, composed Carter I knew. I’d never seen him so vulnerable, so utterly lost and uneasy. Taking the envelope from him, I carefully undid the string under his watchful gaze and pulled out the test results. The first page confirmed Tiffany and Peter were indeed father and daughter. My heart pounded as I turned to the second page. Even though I had prepared myself for the worst, the reality still hit me like a thunderclap. Carter leaned in, his face full of disbelief. “N-no way!”