Chapter 161: I might still have a shot
The house was quiet. The babies had been put to sleep—Audrey in her crib in Mara’s room, and Andrew in the guest nursery Ethan had requested, prepared, though Mara had stood at the door longer than necessary before letting the nanny settle him in.
Mara stepped out into the hallway, her silk robe tied loosely. She paused at Rafael’s door and knocked softly.
He opened it almost immediately, as if he’d been expecting her.
"Can we talk?" she asked.
"Always." They walked together down the grand staircase and into the smaller sitting room near the back of the house—Mara’s favorite place when she needed to think. She sat down, her hands restless in her lap.
Rafael watched her for a moment before speaking. "You’re sure?" he asked softly. "About the DNA test?" Mara nodded. "Every part of me is screaming that he’s mine, Raf. Even when I try to be logical... It’s like my soul already knows."
Rafael leaned forward, his elbows on his knees.
"Alright. Then let’s not waste time. I’ll get close to the nanny tomorrow. Maybe walk her and Andrew around the garden. I’ll clip a few of his hairs—she won’t even notice."
Mara smiled faintly. "You always have a plan."
"For you? Always."
Their eyes held for a long moment, the quiet between them loaded with something unsaid. Something blooming.