Chapter 200: A Father

“Apart from your looks, what other proof do you have that you’re my father? You neither know my name, how I was born, where I was born. You don’t know anything about me. How then do you expect me to believe that you’re my father?”

The little boy was usually quiet, always acting indifferent, but this seemed to be the first time he was saying so many words at once.

Tristan felt a pang of guilt in his chest. The boy was indeed right—though they were his children, he knew nothing about them.

“Then what proof do you want?” Tristan asked calmly.

Leo didn’t mince words. “I demand a DNA test.”

“A DNA test?” Tristan repeated.

“Yes.”

Tristan resisted the urge to smile as he looked at the little boy who looked exactly like him, yet was unconvinced and demanded scientific proof. Nevertheless, he replied, “Alright then. But if I’m proved to be your father, then what?”

“Of course, you will have to pay compensation for five years to my Mommy,” Leo said straightforwardly. “Then I will make a bargain with you.”

“What bargain?” Tristan asked again.

“That will depend on whether you are my father or not,” Leo replied.

“Alright, I agree to your demands.” Without wasting another second, Tristan made a phone call, gave a few instructions, and hung up.

The room fell silent once again, both assessing each other. Tristan found himself marvelling at the power of genetics, anyone who saw the boy would immediately know he was his son.

Meanwhile, the little boy stared at his father, lost in his own thoughts.

He had to admit, he was impressed. The man was accomplished, and the more he observed him, the more that impression deepened. Ever since he came to know that this man was his father, he had always wanted to meet him, to be in the same room as him, to talk to him, but Leo couldn’t show that desire because he didn’t want to make his mother sad, and didn’t want her to chase after someone who abandoned them.

Though he knew for sure this was his father, of course he had to test him, hence his request for a DNA test.

At that moment, Celine entered the room, stepping into the semi-tense atmosphere between father and son. Leo sat on a couch across from Tristan, both of them locked in a silent exchange, each consumed by their own thoughts.

Her arrival finally drew their attention. Celine’s eyes darted between the two.

Tristan gave a dimpled smile the moment he saw her, but his gaze quickly shifted to the small figure beside her.

An adorable little girl with beautiful blue eyes, fair milky skin, and rosy cheeks, wearing a dimpled smile identical to his.

Tristan felt his heart melt instantly. At the same time, recognition washed over him.

He had seen this little girl before.

Celine guided Leah towards Tristan as she moved to sit beside him on the couch, but before she could even speak, the perceptive little girl beat her to it.

“Hi Daddy, my name is Leah Roberts. It’s nice to meet you again,” she said in her sweet little voice.

Tristan smiled, a bright one that deepened his dimples and made his eyes squint slightly with delight. So this was why he had felt something strange the first time he saw her, she was his daughter.

“Leah,” he said softly, the name rolling gently off his tongue, making her beam even brighter. “You have a lovely name.”

“Thank you, Daddy.” She didn’t hesitate with formalities. He was her real father, and she had already given him his rightful title.

A strange warmth filled Tristan’s chest at the repeated sound of Daddy. He didn’t quite understand the emotion, but he liked it. If this was what being a father felt like, then it was the most wonderful feeling in the world.

He had the sudden urge to scoop her into his arms, but he hesitated, wary of scaring her.

Then, as if reading his thoughts, Leah stretched out her tiny arms toward him. He blinked, momentarily confused, until she chirped, “Hug!” in the cutest tone imaginable.

That was all it took.

Tristan gently scooped her into his arms, careful as though she were made of glass. She wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to him tightly, and in that moment, something deep and protective stirred within him.

Celine watched them with a soft smile. She was surprised at how quickly Leah warmed up to Tristan, behaving so naturally with him when she was usually reserved around strangers.

Perhaps it was true, blood really was thicker than water.

She almost laughed at the cautious look in Tristan’s eyes as he held the little girl like a fragile egg, afraid she might break with the slightest wrong move.

“Don’t worry, she won’t break. Relax,” Celine said with a soft laugh.

Tristan relaxed slightly, though he still held Leah carefully.

Then Celine turned to Leo, who was watching them quietly, his expression unchanged. “Leo, come here.”

Leo glanced at her, clearly uninterested at first, but after a brief pause, he sighed, stood up, and walked over.

“Won’t you say hi to your Daddy?” Celine asked gently.

Leo turned to Tristan, standing straight with a composed, almost professional air. He extended his hand for a handshake.

“Hi, my name is Leonard Roberts. It’s nice to meet you.”

Amusement flickered in Tristan’s hazel eyes as he met Leo’s identical ones. He took the small hand in his larger one.

“Tristan Grayson. Nice to meet you,” he replied, playing along.

The boy shook his hand firmly. “Good. I hope you don’t forget our deal,” he said, maintaining that same business-like tone.

“Of course,” Tristan replied, a hint of pride surfacing in his eyes.

Was this the power of genetics?

This was undeniably his son. Not just in appearance, but in mannerisms too—a perfect mirror.

“What deal?” Celine asked, confused.

Tristan was about to respond, but Leo spoke first. “That is a deal between us, Mommy. You wouldn’t understand.”

“I wouldn’t?” she said with an amused chuckle, curiosity sparking.

“No, I guess you wouldn’t,” Tristan added, siding with the boy.

“Alright then, I won’t ask.” She decided to let them bond naturally. Leah was easygoing, but Leo was different. It was better not to interfere.

Still, seeing them together, their resemblance was impossible to ignore.

“Daddy, will you play knight in shining armour with me?” Leah asked eagerly. She had always wanted to play that game with her father.

“Knight in shining armour?” Tristan echoed, clueless.

“It’s a game where you play the king and she plays the princess,” Celine explained gently, then added, “Baby, I’m not sure your Daddy knows how to play—”

“It’s okay, I’ll learn,” Tristan cut in.

Leah beamed and quickly slid down from his arms.

“Then I’ll teach Daddy!” she said excitedly, grabbing his hand and pulling him along.

“Leo, come play with them,” Celine called.

Leo didn’t respond at first, too absorbed in his iPad.

Hmm… Tristan Elias Grayson, he thought as he scrolled through his search results. He hadn’t allowed himself to dig deeper into the man before, but now he found himself searching through all the information from the man’s childhood, and all his other achievements.

Was awarded most successful businessman of the year. Owner of a thriving real estate empire. Known as an astute businessman who dominated the stock market.

Not bad.

Not bad at all.

As expected of his biological father.

Though impressed, he would never show it.

“Leo,” Celine called again, finally getting his attention.

He set his iPad aside and followed her.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep