Page 33 of It Happened In Paris

Vivian’s glare was sharper than any knife as she declared, “I have a say too, and they’re both staying.”

At that moment, a burly man in a blue jacket emblazoned with the word ‘SECURITY’ strode forward; his name tag read Floyd. “Hospital rules permit only one parent to stay overnight. You have five minutes to decide who that will be before I break up this little gathering,” he addressed us sternly.

Adrien retorted, pounding his fist on the nurse’s desk. “Je suis arrivé—I deserve to stay. I have not even seen my little Paris yet,ma fille!”

Vivian countered sharply. “Oh, now you suddenly care about her? Why haven’t you been taking my calls?”

“Sir, you’re not wearing the mandatory hospital bracelet for parents or guardians. I need proper identification before we proceed,” Floyd demanded. I silently promised myself to give him a thousand dollars tomorrow for that reprieve.

While Adrien fumbled for his passport, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dr. Ferguson waving me over. I took Vivian’s hand, and we shuffled toward him. “I was working late and couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. We need to discuss something that directly impacts this situation,” he began, adjusting his thick glasses.

“What is it, doctor?” I urged, keeping a wary eye on Adrien, although Keaton stood there solid and scowling, his arms crossed, watching the asshole’s every move.

“Some test results came in tonight. I was going to wait until morning to share them, but…” He flipped open Paris’s medical chart and continued, “According to the paternity analysis?—”

“Paternity?” Vivian interrupted, gripping my arm, worry etched on her face.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before now that I was having the doctor run the test. But I just had to be sure. I was a perfect match for Paris’ blood, so I couldn’t shake the thought. What if…?” I turned back to the doctor. “And the results are?”

He cleared his throat. “Youarethe father, Richard. No doubt about that.”

I expelled the breath I was holding, a broad grin spreading across my face as I whispered, “I have a child.”

“Oh, my God. I had no idea. I swear to you,” Vivian cried.

I pulled her into a tight embrace, as she murmured, “I went back to Adrien shortly after we were together… I just thought… but the timing… oh, my God.”

“Shh, sweetheart. It’s fine. The past is done. We’re here now and that’s all that matters. She’s mine. She’s really mine,” I reassured her, unable to wipe the smile from my face.

“What’s going on?” Keaton called over, prompting me to briefly let go of Vivian, though I kept a steady hold of her hand for reassurance.

Dr. Ferguson then announced in a clear voice, “The paternity test confirms that Richard Buchanan is Paris’s father.”

“Non, non!This is outrageous,” Adrien roared as he advanced on Vivian. I pushed her behind me, ready to defend. Only Floyd swiftly grabbed him and held him back.

Parents poked their heads out of their rooms, drawn by the commotion. I stole a quick glance at Paris’ closed door, hoping she wasn’t hearing any of this. What would she do seeing the man who was supposed to be her father reacting in such a way? Would she cry over him? Miss him? Feel abandoned when he left?

“Liar!La menteuse!You swore that you and Richard never slept together,” Adrien bellowed, his face flushed with anger. It then took both FloydandKeaton to hold him back.

“Sir, I’m going to have to remove you from the premises for causing a disturbance,” Floyd commanded. Adrien’s resistance proved strong, struggling against the big guard, when another guard appeared.

“I’m so sorry, Adrien.” Vivian broke down into tears, dropping her face into her hands.

“You don’t owe that asshole any kind of apology,” I advised her.

“She is not mine? Then I want my money back. All of it or I will sue you, Viv,” Adrien snapped.

I stepped forward, getting right up into his face.

“Money? Name your price and I’ll have it transferred to you within the hour, but then you stay the hell away from us. Do you understand me?” I glared with steely eyes.

With a smug smirk, he declared, “Five million dollars.”

A gasp came from behind me as Vivian interjected, “You never paid me that much—not even close. Twenty thousand over the past few years, if that. I can call my bank tomorrow and verify the exact amount.”

“Non,this is for the deal you both ruined. Because Richard cancelled a lucrative deal with Club Aces that could have saved me from financial disaster, and I have not yet fully recovered.” He turned his glare on Vivian next. “And because you have only brought me bad luck since the day we met. So my price is five million. You pay, then I will leave the country tonight.”

“Five million? Done.” I shrugged at the amount, a drop compared to the wealth I’d amassed over the years and my family trust to boot. “I’ll get your number from Vivian and someone from my team will be in touch within the hour. Now get the hell out of my sight.”

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