I Hate You, I Love You | Challengers

Twenty Seven | DNA

-• 2010 - paternity test

The sterile white walls of the hospital room, seemed to close in on Sabrina as she held Gracie, her newborn daughter, in her arms. The overwhelming joy of motherhood was tinged with a deep uncertainty. The paternity test results were due in a few days and the weight of the secret she held was almost unbearable.

Patrick,  was oblivious to the turmoil raging within her. He sat beside her, his gaze fixed on their daughter, a gentle smile playing on his lips. 'She's beautiful,' he whispered, his hand reaching out to hold hers.

The night stretched on, punctuated by the soft cries of Gracie. Patrick, went out to get food, leaving Sabrina alone with her baby. Just as she was settling Gracie back into the bassinet, the door creaked open and Art walked in.

'You need to leave,' Sabrina warned, her voice barely a whisper. 'If Patrick comes in, he's going to think...'

Art cut her off, a smirk playing on his lips. 'I don't care. I wanted to see her, and see you.' He walked towards the crib, his eyes lingering on Gracie. 'She has blonde hair,' he stated, the smirk widening. 'Are you sure she's Patrick's?'

Sabrina's heart hammered against her ribs. 'Yes. So you should leave.'

'You look beautiful, Sabrina,' Art said, settling himself on the edge of the bed. He leaned in, his eyes holding hers. 'I brought you a pizza.'

'Thanks, Art. Please just leave. You're with Tashi,' she pleaded.

'We broke up,' he replied easily.

'Oh, I'm sorry...'

'Don't be,' Art said, his gaze intense. 'It wasn't her I wanted.'

Sabrina felt a shiver run down her spine. 'Oh?'

Art took her hand, his touch unnervingly familiar, his thumb tracing circles on her palm. 'Marry me, Sabrina,' he whispered. 'I told you, I can't. Art, I...'

He cut her off, his voice low and persuasive. 'You can, Sabrina. I want you. I want all of you, forever, every day. You and me. ... And I want this life with you, baby and all.'

'No,' Sabrina choked out, the words coming out in a ragged whisper. 'Because it's never just you and me.'

Art's grip tightened on her hand. 'We'll make it about you and me and won't look back. Let me give you that.'

'Give me what?' she asked, her voice a mere tremor.

'Security,' he said, his eyes burning into hers.

Just then, the door swung open and Patrick entered. 'I would decide on just one thing, so I brought you the...' He stopped mid-sentence, his eyes widening in disbelief as they landed on Art, a pizza box clutched in his hands, sitting beside Sabrina. 'What the fuck is he doing here?'

Art, seemingly unfazed, looked at Gracie in the crib. 'Just wanted to meet her,' he said, his gaze lingering on the newborn. 'Gracie.'

'Right,' Patrick said, his voice tight with tension. 'Well...'

But Art cut him off again. 'Look, I just wanted to talk to...'

'Art, get the fuck out,' Patrick snapped, echoing the words Art had used on him in 2007 when Tashi had her injury...

Art shook his head, a smug smile playing on his lips. 'Think about what I said, Sabrina,' he said, rising to his feet. 'She's beautiful.'

He turned and walked out, leaving Sabrina caught between two men, both of whom wanted her, but for vastly different reasons.