Page 222 of The Heart of Winter

Not the best opening, but okay.

"Winter and I are True Mates."

Silence.

So I had managed to surprise you after all, Fa… I thought with a sense of satisfaction.

The silence lasted suspiciously long. His gaze dropped toward his desk.

For a moment, he was completely still, his brain surely working in overdrive, realizing what this would mean for the whole family.

"Is it confirmed?" he asked in a calm tone.

I pulled out the printed veradiol test result from my pocket, rolled up, and handed it to him without a word. He studied the piece of paper for a moment. I exchanged a glance with Winter. Only then did I take his hand.

My father looked up from the results, noticing our gesture but not commenting on it.

"It says here: Blood, source: brought by the patient."

I sighed. "Blue took my blood half an hour before I went to Winter. You can ask him. I needed a sample before and after for the comparison of veradiol levels."

He leaned over the result again. Almost a full minute passed in silence… then he stood up, and slowly walked over to us, but not to me first.

Father suddenly stooped, nostrils flaring as his gaze darted between me and Winter. After a deep breath, he stepped closer to Winter and stared at him for a long moment, his nose still subtly twitching. Then, out of nowhere, he asked, "Are you pregnant?"

"Yes."

"Is Sariel the father?"

"Yes."

There was a moment of silence.

Then my father did something I would never have expected from him. He opened his arms and hugged Winter, pulling him tightly to his chest.

I froze. My father wasn’t as averse to physical contact as Blue, but he didn’t rush into hugs either. Yet here he was, making an exception.

My mouth fell open as I stared at the scene. Winter was extremely stiff in the embrace.

But it wasn’t the end.

Father put him at arm's length and stated, "I read Sariel’s interview with Victor. I respect how heroic you were, how you took all the burden on yourself to provide him with food, as his foot was injured. And how you saved his life. You are a righteous man and let me just say…"

He suddenly let out a strange, huffing laugh and exclaimed, "Dear Fate! You’re a godsend, Winter! I can’t imagine a better co-owner for DevApp than you. That kid would’ve sunk the company!"

Now the surprise turned into shock and… irritation. My father never stopped being a businessman, even now!

"Fa! Seriously?! I wouldn’t sink the company!"

"Sariel is a very good and reliable employee, Jacob. I don’t think you need to worry about the company’s future," Winter unexpectedly said, his shoulders straightening, his chin lifting slightly, as if challenging my father’s opinion of me. I felt a wave of warmth because… he was standing by me.

"In any case, I’m not worried at all now, because I know YOU won’t let it sink," my father said firmly, ignoring my wincing grimace. Then he darted me a pointed glance.

"Well, I admit it, Sariel. You’ve surprised me. Point for you."

"Wait, there’s another one!" I smirked mischievously. "Your nose failed you a bit. The scent you caught is not only from Winter—it’s from me too. I’m also pregnant."

For the first time, I saw an actual expression of surprise on my father’s face. That was a rarity for him. So, maybe… even a double point for me?

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