RESILIENCE

Chapter 15

Daniella's POV

I have been trying to psych myself up for the event I'm attending with Chase tonight. If I don't do that then I'll have a nervous breakdown very soon into the night. He's a big shot property developer and has been expanding the current family business ranging from investments to partnerships and more.

He's also very respected in the business industry, which I don't care to know about.

He was invited to some type of business event and now I am the unlucky one to accompany him because he hasn't had time to find a date because he's too busy with work all the time. He did mention that we won't be staying very long as he's aware of my anxiety when it comes to big crowds of people.

The stylist my family normally hires when attending events will be arriving in a hour so I still have time to lounge around.

It's Sunday today and I did my rounds very early this morning. Luckily, I only do surgeries during the week and rounds and on weekends, but emergencies can happen anytime. You do get those drunk drivers or home injuries coming through now and then, that's why I'm always on stand-by until my contract is over.

I decided to go check on the boys while I'm still here and took them a snack as well. They are spending some time in the games room before they have to head back to studying for their test tomorrow.

"Boys" I said, announcing my presence.

"Hey Mom" both of them said simultaneously giving me a brief glance, as they refocused their attention on the X-box.

"Here are some sandwiches, fruit and juice. You better pause the game and eat something before you have to continue studying" I said, placing the tray on the coffee table in front of them.

They instantly paused the game and started to devour their food. They are the sweetest and most obedient kids, but also very protective of their mamma and will eat anything I put before them. Which makes me appreciate them even more.

"Mom, can we ask you something?" Max asked, as he placed his empty plate back on the tray while glancing between his brother and myself.

I was seated in between them now and stuck out my arm for Max to come and snuggle with me on the couch as Dylan finished his food.

"Who's our dad?" he asked very bluntly, but the question felt like my body had been struck with a lightning bolt. Making cold chills run down my back as my mind process what I was just asked by my son.

Well, I knew this would happen when they grew up, but I never thought it would happen this soon and besides, how do you explain to your kids that you're not sure who their dad was?

The last time they asked me that question was when they were still in kindergarten. They saw other kids with both their parents and wondered where theirs was.

I, however, told them at the time that things didn't work out with their dad, and he had to go away for work. Now they are old enough to realize parents don't stay away at work for this long and they probably formulated their own conclusions.

They never really had a care for a father because they had three father figures in their lives that filled that void. Now they realized that their uncles and grandpa can't be their dad.

The funny part of it all was that I'm kind of certain that man is their father. Everything is hitting me in the face all at once. How life gives you such unexpected surprises and challenges, I would never understand.

"Where is this coming from? Did something happen?" I question, trying to figure out what their reason is for asking.

"Well..." Dylan starts off, as he also places his plate on the tray "people have mothers and fathers. We know you are our mother, but who's our dad and where is he? Doesn't he like us?" he asked, with clear curiosity reflected in his eyes making my heart drop in my boots.

I never wanted them to think that they are not wanted, ever.

I closed my eyes for a brief few second because I never expected them to want to know anything about their dad, but who was a kidding. I should have known better, but what was I to tell them? That I was drugged and don't know who their dad was?

That's not something you tell your kids at this age.

Well, it's now or never... I thought to myself.

I cleared my throat, got up and sat in front of them on the coffee table facing them "Well boys, I got pregnant with you two when I was still very young and just done with high school. I didn't know your dad that well and by the time I found out about the pregnancy, I didn't know where to find your dad, because I had to start college and look after the two of you. Things were just too much at the time" I explained, hoping they would not remember what I told them when they were in kindergarten and accept my half-truth because some of it is a lie.

"I mean he should know of our existence. So, can we try to find him now?" Dylan asked again, hope and excitement clearly reflecting in his eyes. Such innocence, I thought to myself looking at their faces lighting up at the mention of the last part.

"Well, if that's what both of you want...mhmm, let me get someone to look into it" I said, as I rubbed both their heads as my mind went haywire while I pretended to be cool and calm in front of them.

"You have 30minutes left then you have to go to your rooms and read through your work for tomorrow's test, please" I begged, as they both groaned "and I'm going out with Uncle Chase, so Grandpa and Grandma will keep an eye on you" I said and they groaned even harder, because dad doesn't play when it comes to studies.

I gave them some smooches and left for my room, opening my laptop and waiting for the login screen to appear as I still had some time left before I had to get ready. While I waited, I decided to follow up on something that would cost me my license if it were to ever come out and the person, I took from decided to pursue the matter.

I picked up my phone and dialed our lab for the results I have been waiting for. The girl I normally contact there named Carmen picked up "Good afternoon, Dr, Harris, how may I help you today?" she asked in her usual chirpy voice.

"I'm calling to find out if you have the DNA results for one of my patients"

"Do you have the file number for me then I'll check if it's ready" she questioned"

"It's BK3169" I answered as the nervousness is about to consume me.

I could hear a lot of typing in the background and then she started to speak "Yes I do have the results ready for you; I will e-mail it shortly" she said.

"Thanks so much Carmen" I said, trying to sound just as enthusiastic as her.

If you're wondering what the heck I did. Yes, I took a sample of Mr. Giordano's DNA and my boys' DNA. I could lose my medical license because of this, but I just have to know. In order for me to eliminate their faces, I need to get behind the truth.

A few seconds later the mail came through, and I didn't second guess or wait and just opened it.

I headed straight to the important section after confirming it's the correct file number. My chest instantly became heavy.

I ran my hands through my still damp hair and started to lightly tug at it as my body was enveloped with chills. The results clearly show that he is their grandfather.

Matteo was the guy of that night, and he remembered me. He was their father, but he was on the brink of getting married. What if his fiancé decides to leave him because he has kids. I don't want to be the cause of there being issues between him and the love of his life and neither do I want my kids to be caught in a crossfire between them.

All of them deserve to know each other and if they don't want to be part of their lives then that's on them, but me and my family will always be here for the boys.

"Let me google this man and see what his deal is" I mutter under my breath.

I typed in his name and before I could look at the results, one of the maids came to tell me that the stylist and her team is waiting downstairs.

I'll come check what the internet says about him when I get back later tonight.

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