As the room fell silent, Adrianne’s face twisted with fury. Her grip on the bouquet tightened until her knuckles turned white, her voice sharp and dripping with contempt. “How dare you!” she spat. “You deceitful little liar, you’ve been toying with us all along!”
But Harrison wasn’t even looking at her. His gaze was fixed on me, his face pale and full of disbelief. “Emma,” he whispered, his voice barely audible over the silence in the room. “Is he… is he really mine?”
My throat felt tight, but I managed a shaky nod, tears spilling down my cheeks. “Yes,” I whispered. “Ethan is your son.”
The room erupted in gasps and murmurs. Adrianne let out a strangled scream, throwing her bouquet at me in rage. The flowers scattered across the polished floor, a few thorny stems catching on my dress. Then Rachel stepped forward, her face fierce as she stared Adrianne down. “Everyone can finally see what kind of person you are,” she said, her voice cutting through the noise. “This is your true self, Adrianne.”
I noticed Harrison’s parents standing by the doorway, their faces unreadable as they looked at us. My heart pounded as they approached, their eyes sharp and assessing.
Mr. Blackwood’s voice was cold as he looked between Harrison and me. “What is the meaning of this?” he demanded. His wife, Mrs. Blackwood, looked at me with both sadness and something that bordered on disgust. “Is this true?” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Is he really our grandson?”
I nodded, holding Ethan close. “Yes, he is.”
The room fell silent, and for a moment, all I could hear was Ethan’s soft crying. Harrison’s expression was a storm of emotions-anger, regret, and something that made my heart race faster. He turned to Adrianne, his face hard. He grabbed her arm, whispering something that made her pale, and then looked out at the guests, his voice cold and unyielding.
“The wedding is off,” he announced. “I cannot marry a woman capable of such deceit.”
The guests gasped, the murmur of voices growing louder as everyone processed his words. Adrianne’s eyes burned with fury as two guards appeared at Harrison’s request, ready to escort her away. She struggled, her face contorting in rage, but the guards held firm. Rachel put a comforting hand on my shoulder, her face relieved. “You did it, Emma,” she said quietly. “It’s finally over.”
I nodded, feeling a strange calm settle over me. The wedding was over, and Adrianne’s true nature was exposed. Harrison knew the truth. But as relief washed over me, I realized this was only the beginning.
Harrison appeared beside me, his expression conflicted but determined. His voice softened as he spoke. “Emma, is it true? Ethan is… really my son?”
I met his gaze, tears filling my eyes as I nodded. “Yes, Harrison,” I whispered. “Ethan is yours.”
In a moment of raw emotion, he pulled me and Ethan into a tight embrace. I could feel his heart pounding, his arms warm and protective around us. Then, before I could fully process it, he leaned down and kissed me, a kiss that was both tender and desperate. All the anger, confusion, and longing poured into that kiss, leaving me breathless. I clung to him, feeling everything fade away-the mansion, the guests, the chaos-until only the two of us remained.
But just as quickly, the moment shattered. Mr. Blackwood’s voice rang out, full of anger. “Harrison! What on earth is going on here?” He stepped forward, his face red with fury as he glared at his son. “Explain yourself!”
Harrison straightened, his arms instinctively pulling Ethan closer. “This is my son,” he said firmly. “And I won’t hide the truth any longer.”
Mr. Blackwood’s mouth fell open in shock. “Harrison, are you saying…?”
Harrison nodded, meeting his father’s furious gaze. “Yes. I’m saying that I can’t marry Adrianne. This wedding is over.”
A heavy silence filled the room. Mrs. Blackwood placed a hand on her chest, looking from Harrison to Ethan and back again. Her face softened, and she stepped closer, her gaze focused on Ethan. “Is he really our grandson?” she asked, her voice gentle now.
I nodded again, my heart pounding as I handed Ethan to her. She cradled him in her arms, her eyes misty as she gazed down at him. “Oh, Harrison,” she murmured, glancing up at her son. “How could you not see?”
Mr. Blackwood, however, wasn’t moved. His face hardened, and he glared at me with disdain. “This is absurd,” he said sharply. “This girl has caused enough trouble. She’s only here to ruin everything.”
Harrison’s hand tightened around mine, his expression resolute. “No, Dad,” he replied firmly. “Emma isn’t here to ruin anything. She’s here because she deserves to be. This isn’t about lies-it’s about the truth.”
A murmur spread through the guests as they watched the exchange. Rachel stood by my side, her presence a comforting reminder that I wasn’t alone. Mr. Blackwood’s face was a mix of disbelief and anger, his lips pressed into a thin line as he took in the scene before him.
“Do you even realize what you’re doing, Harrison?” he demanded. “You’re throwing everything away-for her!”
Harrison shook his head, his expression unwavering. “I’m not throwing anything away. I’m doing what’s right, Dad. Ethan is my son, and he deserves to know his father. Emma deserves to be treated with respect.”
Mrs. Blackwood, still holding Ethan, looked at me with a gentler expression. “You’ve been through so much, haven’t you?” she asked quietly. I nodded, too overwhelmed to speak.
Mr. Blackwood seemed ready to argue again, but Mrs. Blackwood raised a hand, stopping him. “Maybe it’s time we accept the truth, darling,” she said softly, her gaze still on Ethan. “We can’t deny him.”
Mr. Blackwood scowled but said nothing, his fists clenching and unclenching as he tried to process everything. I could feel the tension in the room easing slightly, but the weight of the situation still hung heavy.
Harrison looked at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow and determination. “Emma, I’m sorry,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’m sorry for everything.”
I reached for his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “It’s okay, Harrison,” I replied, my voice steady. “We’re here now. That’s what matters.”
As the guests slowly began to disperse, whispers and curious glances followed us. Rachel smiled, her face filled with relief. “Looks like the truth finally came out,” she said softly. “And it’s about time.”
I nodded, feeling a new sense of freedom settling over me. Harrison’s arm was around my shoulder, holding me close. For the first time in a long while, I felt safe. Ethan’s soft breathing filled the quiet space around us as Mrs. Blackwood handed him back to me, her expression softened with something like acceptance.