Chapter 608

When Jonathan saw the number 99.999% on the document, his eyes narrowed just a bit. Without showing much feeling, he read the result out loud for everyone to hear.

The moment he finished speaking, there was a sudden loud bang. Sanford slammed his fist hard and fast against the glass window in frustration.

He didn’t seem to notice the pain. Clenching his bleeding fist tight like a trapped animal on the verge of breaking, Sanford marched over to Jonathan, grabbed the report from his hand, and stared fiercely at the cold numbers.

With a ripping sound, he tore the report to shreds. His eyes were bloodshot. He looked Jonathan straight in the eye, and then silently turned to face the coward who kept his head down, refused to face the truth, and wouldn’t admit it—his cowardly father.

Sanford was completely devastated, utterly broken. He didn’t say a single word, just turned around and walked away. No one could stop him.

Irene hurried over, picked up the torn pieces of the report, and carefully put them back together. Seeing the result, she patted her chest and said, “Thank God. Cathy, come see for yourself. Find out who Sanford’s real father is!”

Cathy’s tears had dried up. She stood quietly and turned toward the bathroom. Suddenly, Werner shouted at Cathy’s back, “This is all your fault. You ruined me. If you hadn’t followed me or stirred up trouble, none of this would’ve happened.”

He poured all his anger onto the person he could lash out at–his defenseless partner, “Are you happy? I’m done. Our family’s done. The kids will be hurt and broken. Is this what you wanted? Donald and Cheryl will fall apart. Are you glad now?”

Cathy stiffly turned around, pointing at herself in disbelief. Her voice was hoarse as she said, “It’s my fault?”

“Yes, it’s all your fault! If you hadn’t caused a scene at the hospital, none of this would be happening. This mess is the price for you stalking me, doubting me, and refusing to believe me,” Werner yelled.

Then he collapsed into a chair and buried his head in his hands. It was like he wanted to stay trapped in that shell forever, a coward unwilling to face reality.

Cathy turned away again, her eyes dull and lifeless like ashes. Suddenly, Werner felt a shadow loom over him. He slowly looked up and saw Jonathan standing there.

Jonathan watched Cathy leave, and then said to Werner, “Why didn’t you admit it sooner? Why did you keep dodging responsibility?”

“Jonathan…” Werner murmured. He had always acted like the elder, the superior, and Jonathan had respected him for it. But for the first time, Jonathan’s eyes showed contempt and disappointment.

Werner couldn’t imagine how Cheryl and Donald would look at him now. He painfully held his head. “I can’t face anyone. Just leave me alone for a while.”

Jonathan’s disappointment grew deeper. “If you were a real man, you’d take responsibility for what’s yours instead of running away.”

Werner said nothing. Jonathan left. Irene left soon after; Werner vaguely heard Irene curse him. He knew he would pay for this. Everyone left, and the warmth vanished.

Werner was left alone in the cold hallway of the DNA test center. Finally, he let out a painful sob.

Sanford screamed out at Starlace River like he’d lost his mind. People passing by stared at him like he was nuts, but he didn’t care. He kept yelling and pounding on the railing, his hands numb, tears streaming down his face.

After all that shouting, he slowly leaned back against the railing like an empty shell, staring blankly at the ground.

Behind him, the river flowed fast, and in the distance, the tall Skyspire Tower stretched up into the clouds. He felt so small, so meaningless, that he thought he shouldn’t have been born at all.

From the start, it was a mistake. He was Werner’s son, not Yorick’s. All these years, he’d been confused about who his real father was, his mom hid the truth. His real dad either refused or was too scared to admit it.

Sanford felt like his whole existence was a mistake. But deep down, he just wanted to live honestly, without hiding. He didn’t want to carry that Carrible name anymore, especially now.

No one ever asked if he wanted to be born. They brought him here against his will and kept lying to him. He kept wondering what he had done wrong.

Tears rolled down his cheeks again. The wind picked up, making small waves on the quiet river. He glanced back. Behind him were the busy city lights, but he didn’t care to enjoy the view.

He wanted to jump in and end his pain. But his mom was still in the hospital. He couldn’t die, not yet. If he died, he couldn’t imagine what would happen to his mother.

So he just sat there, motionless, for hours. The sunset turned the river red, and the wind grew colder. He felt someone close by.

Sanford slowly looked up and saw who it was. He hadn’t wiped away the silly tears on his face and sighed, turning away.

“You win. I’m not connected to you or your father. I was wrong all these years. You reported me and had me locked up. I get it now. I deserve the punishment,” said Sanford.

Jonathan said nothing. Then he sat down next to Sanford, right on the ground. Sanford was shocked for a moment. This powerful CEO had no problem sitting on the floor with him.

Jonathan handed him a beer can. “Haven’t had a beer in a long time.”

Sanford popped the tab, tilted his head back, and took a big gulp. The alcohol numbed his pain for a moment.

He let out a heavy breath. “If my mom hadn’t come clean and told me the truth, and if we hadn’t done the test today, I don’t know how much longer I would have stayed in the dark.”

“Donald’s the one who’s really broken,” Jonathan said, taking a sip himself.

Sanford pictured Donald’s face and smiled faintly. “You’re right. Donald’s probably way more shattered than I am. He’s probably struggling to understand why he suddenly has a half-brother.”

“What else can you do when you don’t get it? Life goes on,” Jonathan said with a knowing tone.

Sanford looked slowly at the man beside him. Just as Jonathan stood up to leave, Sanford suddenly called out to him.