Katherine stared at the lab door, heart pounding.
She'd asked Aiden to call with Lily's results.
Instead, he asked her to come in person.
She found him alone in the sterile lab, back turned, gripping the edge of the counter like it might hold him up.
He didn't look at her.
She closed the door behind her. “Just tell me."
“I ran the test twice."
“Aiden—"
“She's mine." His voice cracked. “Lily is… ours."
Silence. Not shock. Not denial.
Just inevitability.
Katherine exhaled slowly. “I knew."
“I didn't." He turned around. “Not until she looked at me like that."
Katherine folded her arms. “What now? You want rights? Custody? Headlines?"
He stepped closer. “I want her to live."
She stared at him.
“No matter what else happens," he continued, voice shaking, “I'm her father. And I wi
