Austin realized Mike was becoming emotional. "I never knew you were so good with children," he added. "If I were you, I wouldn't know what to do. Anyway, they do look a lot like Alex, don't you think?" Austin tilted his head, studying the sleeping infants.

Mike mirrored his posture. "They do have Alexander's eyebrows and Lily's mouth," he agreed. "But we can't make assumptions. The more we think that way, the more they'll seem to resemble Alex and Lily. If I told you they weren't Alex's children, would you still see the resemblance?" His expression was serious.

Austin thought, Indeed, now they don't look like Alex and Lily. He shook his head, straightening. "Shit, you're right!"

"That's why we shouldn't dwell on their resemblance to Alex," Mike said, gently tucking the babies in. His gaze was tender, like a loving father's. "It's best to wait for the DNA report."

Austin sighed inwardly. Looks like I can't stop him from thinking about his son. Forget it. Just let him be. At least seeing the twins might make him feel better.

Leaving the bedroom, Austin went directly to the outhouse where Rhea was supposed to be. He was curious about the drug's effect on her. The laboratory had created many horrifying substances, each with unique traits. Symptoms varied widely, whether it was the pandemic virus or those affecting himself, Cameron, Dominic, and others. Years of experience as a physician had taught him individuals responded differently, but the variations in how the same virus manifested seemed unusually significant.

He reached the outhouse door and saw a small glass window at the top. It wasn't large, but it offered a glimpse inside. Tiptoeing quietly, Austin peered in. Initially, he saw nothing unusual; the outhouse appeared empty.

Empty? He blinked, looking more closely. It is empty! Where the hell is Rhea?!

Thinking he might have missed something, he rubbed his eyes and looked again. No matter how hard he stared, there was no sign of her.

"Holy shit! This can't be happening!"

He spun around and sprinted back to the main house. Reaching the nearest room, he said to Mike, "We have an emergency—"

Mike hushed him with a hand gesture, wanting to avoid waking the babies.

Austin knew he shouldn't disturb them, but he couldn't care less at that moment. Lowering his voice, he tried to sound calm. "Rhea has gone missing!"