Episode 17

Throughout the journey to the hospital, an uncomfortable silence hung between Rayden and Zhia. Luckily, Luca sat between them, while Lucia nestled in Rayden's lap.

Lucia, eager for a father's presence, clung to Rayden persistently.

Contrarily, for some unknown reason, Rayden found great comfort with the little girl snug in his embrace.

"Papa! Are you really my real papa, Luci?" Lucia asked Rayden, her eyes sparkling with hope, shifting the awkward atmosphere to one of heightened tension, especially for Zhia.

"Hmmm. Who knows! You should ask your mother about that."

Unable to answer, Rayden deflected the question to Zhia.

"Mommy!"

Lucia called out to her, but Zhia turned away, gazing out the window. Seeing her mother's reaction, Lucia's expression fell to disappointment.

"Don't be sad. The doctor will figure it out soon enough," Rayden comforted the little girl on his lap.

"What was your name again?" asked Rayden, who had forgotten the little girl's name.

"Lucia," she replied.

"Would you like a dad like me, Luci?" Rayden asked with a charming smile.

Lucia beamed a quick smile and nodded vigorously. Luca, sitting beside them, felt irritated, noticing that only his sister was getting their father's attention.

"Really? Can you give me a kiss then?" Rayden spoke with a sweetness that made his smile bloom even more widely.

"Mwah," Lucia readily pecked Rayden's right cheek without a shred of shyness. Zhia could only watch the interaction in silence.

Meanwhile, her heart raced with fear at the possibility of losing her twins to Rayden after the truth was revealed.

Upon arrival at the hospital, Rayden was greeted by the cooperative doctors. They made their way to a room reserved for VVIP patients.

"Is there anything we can assist you with, Mr. Xavier?" the hospital director inquired courteously while stealing glances at the twins.

The director recognized Luca and Lucia who were currently the subject of worldwide trending news.

"I want to undergo DNA testing with these children. How does it work? Is it safe for the kids? It won't hurt them, right?" Rayden asked, always to the point.

"Not at all, sir! We just need a cheek swab sample or other samples like hair, skin, or body fluids, although a blood sample would yield more precise and accurate results," the director, a highly skilled doctor, explained.

"How much blood will you need?" Rayden inquired, his innocence apparent.

"Just a small sample from you and the children," the hospital director replied.

"Alright, do it now! And I want the results as soon as possible," Rayden ordered coolly.

"The results will be ready in a day; we'll expedite the process. Now we'll take blood samples from you all," the director stated.

He then instructed a doctor beside him to prepare several syringes.

The director collected blood samples from Rayden, Luca, and Lucia, then promptly took them to the laboratory for DNA analysis.

Zhia remained silent, her face pale and her hands cold with anxiety and fear.

Meanwhile, Luca and Lucia played carefree with Rayden, as if they had known each other for a long time.

"Canoe, are you okay?" Julia suddenly burst into the room along with her husband, Noland, her face etched with concern. However, their expressions turned to shock upon seeing the twins, who bore an uncanny resemblance to their young son, Canoe.

Rayden, Zhia, Luca, and Lucia looked towards the newcomers in stunned silence.

"Mom, Dad! What are you two doing here?" Rayden asked, his cool demeanor returning.

"We heard you were in the hospital. But who are these children? Are they yours, Canoe?" Noland asked as he pointed to where Luca and Lucia stood.

"Dad, it's the little Canoe Mom saw at the mall yesterday!" Julia pointed straight at Luca.

"What? So Mom wasn't hallucinating yesterday?" asked a disbelieving Noland, recalling his wife's words.

"I told you! I saw clearly and wasn't hallucinating! Whose fault is it that you didn't believe me?" Julia confidently insisted that Luca was the child she had seen at the mall.

"But Dad didn't see it himself." Noland tried to defend himself.

Zhia, noticing the conversation focused on her twins, especially Luca, rushed over and hugged them tightly.

"Stop it! Canoe's asking why are you both here now?" Rayden intervened, diverting his parents' attention.

"That doesn't matter anymore, Canoe! Now tell Mom, are the twins yours?" Julia pressed closer to Rayden, cornering him for answers.

"I don't know! We're waiting for the DNA test results now!" Rayden tried to evade his mother.

"Is that so?" Julia asked again.

"Good work, my son! Dad hopes you really are the father of these kids," Noland said, swelling with pride.

Julia then approached Luca and Lucia, who were hiding in their mother's embrace.

"Hello, sweeties? What are your names?" Julia asked warmly, smiling brightly.

"Lucia," the bold girl introduced herself to Julia.

"Oh, a beautiful name for a beautiful girl," Julia complimented sincerely.

"And who is this handsome lad?"

Julia now turned to Luca, vying for young Canoe's affection.

"He is my brother. His name is Brother Luca! And this is our mommy, the prettiest and best mommy in the world!" Lucia declared, proudly introducing Luca and Zhia.

"So, you're the mother of these twins?" Julia asked, surprised to learn the truth.

"Canoe, your choice is beautiful too! But not as beautiful as your mom, my wife! Hahaha..." Noland whispered to Rayden, laughing at his son's flustered appearance.