Chapter 519

It was just Frederick’s bad luck that when he arrived at the DNA testing lab, he found that all the doctors had clocked out for the day, leaving only a young nurse on duty.

She told Frederick that he could leave a blood sample and if he requested expedited processing, the results would be ready by the next morning.

The truth was so close that he could almost taste it, but at the last minute…

Ah, well! Good things come to those who wait.

He could handle one more night.

With no other choice, Frederick left the blood sample and made his way back to the private room.

By that time, the sky had turned pitch black. Hayes had woken up, and Marguerite had just finished serving dinner to the three kids.

Hayes looked a lot better, though he was still weak.

Bundled up in bed, he had no idea of the drama that had unfolded while he was unconscious.

The moment Frederick appeared, Hayes stretched out his arms, his voice tinged with a need for comfort, “Daddy…hug me…”

The room wasn’t chilly, so Frederick scooped Hayes out from under the covers and set him on his lap.

“How you feeling, buddy?” Frederick asked gently.

Hayes answered, “I’m okay… Is Manley better?”

Marguerite hesitated; she was touched that Hayes was still worried about Manley. But the more considerate he was, the more it pained her.

Manley was feeling guilty and couldn’t bring himself to meet Hayes’ gaze.

Frederick hugged Hayes a little tighter and said, “Buddy, you don’t have to give Manley anymore blood transfusions.”

Hayes looked up, surprised and confused. “Why? I want to… save him… My blood… can help…”

Teresa nudged Manley, urging him forward.

Manley approached awkwardly and touched the spot on Hayes’ arm where the needle had been, his tone both proud and petulant, “I know your blood can help!”

“Then why…

“Because! Just because!” Manley cut Hayes off, his awkwardness showing. “Because I’m worried about you, okay? Dad found someone else to donate blood to me. You’re too little to be worrying about everyone else!”

Manley’s voice was stern, but Hayes was visibly moved.

Had he heard right? Was Manley worried about him?

The thought made Hayes’ pale face break into a warm smile.

The room was suddenly filled with a harmonious and cozy atmosphere.

Frederick couldn’t help but give Marguerite a second look.

He had to admit, if it weren’t for Marguerite’s guidance that afternoon, the two boys might not have reconciled so quickly. Suddenly, Teresa pointed outside, her face alight with excitement, “Hayes’

Daddy, Mommy, look! It’s snowing!”

Everyone turned to look, and Teresa’s excitement bubbled over, “Can we go have a snowball fight, please?”

Marguerite quickly pulled Teresa back, “Hayes is still recovering, and Manley has surgery in the morning. We can’t go out for a snowball fight now.”

Teresa looked crestfallen as she peered out the window, “But the snow is coming down so hard, and I haven’t had a single snowball fight this year…”

Seeing the mix of hope and disappointment in Teresa’s eyes, Hayes didn’t want her to feel sad. He looked up at Frederick and suggested, “Daddy, if we can’t have a snowball fight, we can build a snowman…”

Manley chimed in to support the idea, “Yeah! Daddy Aunt Marguerite, let’s go downstairs and build a snowman! It won’t be tiring. come on, please!”

The two adults couldn’t resist the charm offensive of the three little ones and surrendered, agreeing to their request.

Marguerite bundled Hayes up tightly, while Teresa and Manley, more rugged, threw on their sweaters and dashed downstairs.

Marguerite and Frederick walked behind the three kids, watching them play with unbridled joy.

But unexpectedly, Frederick stopped in his tracks and asked, “Marguerite, did you lose a necklace three years ago? A sapphire necklace?”