Chapter 1380
Thalassa’s face froze for a second, her breath catching slightly. She knew what Richard was asking.
He wanted to know if she was willing to go through with a paternity test with Joshua to acknowledge him as her father.
The word ‘father’ was something she had once yearned for, something she had desperately wanted.
As a child, she would see other kids being cherished by their dads, showered with affection, and she, too, had longed for that – for her own father to appear.
She had wanted to feel that paternal love, to have someone looking out for her mom as well.
But as she grew up, the arrival of Bruce shattered all her beautiful illusions about fatherhood.
To her, the term ‘father’ became synonymous with a nightmare.
Though it was a mistake – Bruce was not her father – it was this mistaken bond of blood that caused Lysander to despise her to his core, finding ways to torment her relentlessly.
It was because of Bruce that her relationship with Lysander had plummeted to rock bottom, beyond any chance of warming up again.
And it was because of him that her mother suffered endlessly, enduring humiliation, ultimately passing away with eyes still full of sorrow.
Thalassa was truly terrified of the word ‘father afraid of any stranger who might sudder claim to be her dearest kin.
With a pained breath, Thalassa turned her face away, not answering Richard’s question.
Seeing Thalassa’s anguish and her refusal to respond, Richard tactfully dropped the subject, offering her a gentle out. “I respect your decision. You’re not well right now. Focus on getting some rest.”
…
Three days later.
Isabella, clutching the jade pearl, had inquired her way to a high-end, leisurely coffee shop where she finally encountered Joshua.
The ambiance of the coffee shop was serene. Joshua sat at a table with a coffee cup in hand, savoring his drink, while opposite him sat a barista skillfully preparing another brew.
1/2
08:36
Chapter 1380
Isabella exchanged a nod with the bodyguard stationed outside before walking in. She spotted Joshua dressed in a simple, slate-gray t-shirt, which gave him an air of distinction. Despite his age, his demeanor was refined, gentle, and steady.
He exuded an aura of cultured, understated luxury.
As the barista worked, white steam swirled around Joshua, the aroma of coffee filling the room. With silver hair, he sat amid the mist, looking almost ethereal as if he were about to ascend to a higher plane.
Isabella gripped her purse tighter, slowly approaching him.
Before arriving, she had rehearsed what she would say upon meeting Joshua. But in his presence, his innate nobility was not something easily approached.
Overwhelmed, Isabella found the words she had prepared slipping away.
She edged closer to Joshua, managing a tentative smile, “Joshua, I’ve been looking for you for three days.”
Hearing her, Joshua lifted his serene gaze to meet hers and placed his coffee cup on the table, signaling to the barista. “You can take off now.”
The barista, having just poured six cups of coffee, nodded with a smile and excused himself.
“Sit,” Joshua said.
