The Royal Contract

Chapter 714: The ups and downs

The DNA test from his blood and the sample he took from Dani finally confirmed that they were a match. There was no more denying the fact. It was conclusive. New chapters are published on novelenglish.net . Fɪre

“Then, it is official. I am blood-related to this family.” Gerald raised his glass to welcome himself to the Hamilton family, drinking the rest of the content without waiting for the others to toss his welcome. Not that he wanted that.

Still, he could not believe that he was now part of this family. The family he had detested all his life because his father had told him all those lies about the great Ethan Hamilton. In the end, this man turned out to be his real biological father.

“As I said to you before, you are always welcome to be part of this family,” Ethan spoke up, speaking for the rest of the family. “Our house is now your home.” He looked directly into his son’s eyes, hoping that he would see his sincerity.

He knew he could not turn back the time. He already lost the opportunity to see his son grow up to become this fine young man. But he hoped that it was not too late to get to know him at this point in their lives.

“We do not want you to feel like we are forcing you to accept us to be part of your life.” This time, it was Laura who spoke to Gerald. “But we want you to know that you have a family willing to stand by you anytime you would need us.”

Laura only wanted him to know that she had accepted him into this family wholeheartedly. She never had an ill feeling about him. She believed they were just all victims of the circumstances.

.....

The past had played a cruel game against all of them. Everybody already suffered from the mistakes, and it was enough. It was time to move on.

“Honestly, all of this is simply not easy to take.” Gerald finally answered the couple. Then his eyes turned to the other couple who had kept their silence, just listening to their conversation.

“We understand.” Ethan finally spoke up again, nodding his head in agreement. He also believed that this could not be easy for him or his daughter, who appeared to be still dazed by this entire revelation.

Alex kept his silence, just holding on to his wife, giving her support. But he could see slight anger in his eyes, knowing what he might be thinking about Gerald.

He could not blame them. Gerald was guilty of harming them, but for him, he was also a victim of what he did to him. No one else deserved the blame for what happened to all of them but him.

“Laura, could you give us some privacy?” Ethan turned to his wife, tapping her hand to get her attention. “Could you assist Alex and Dani back to the other guests?” Directing his request to his wife, who nodded quickly in understanding.

He needed a few minutes of private time to talk to his son alone.

“I hope you would not mind if you escort the two ladies outside.” He told Alex, who nodded his affirmation, standing up. “Dani, I will talk to you later.” He said, hoping that would be enough in the meantime.

He knew his wife would support his plan, but he could only hope that his daughter would learn to forgive and forget the past and get on board with what he wanted for this family.

“Do what you think would be best for this family,” Laura whispered in his ears, giving him enough encouragement to proceed with his idea.

Then, Laura stood up from her seat and waited for the other two in the room to follow her. Dani was a bit hesitant, but she also stood to follow closely behind his mother with Alex by her side.

“So, what is this all about?” Gerald had watched the little ceremony, but he still did not feel like he belonged in this small circle.

He could see a slight agitation in his father’s movement. Whatever he was planning to say was making him a little bit nervous. Compared to earlier, he showed a slight hesitation in his following words.

“This has something to do with Dani. I knew you were involved in her kidnapping.” His father’s eyes watched him as if he was waiting for his reaction, a confirmation.

“I hope whatever happened in the past would remain in the past, and we could all move on.” Ethan did not wait for him to answer as if he already knew that truth but was willing to forget all about it.

“You are now part of this family, and if you could not accept me, at least consider her as your sister. Protect her as your own.” Ethan suddenly begged from him, even kneeling before him.

Gerald did not expect that. He could not believe that the great Ethan would go down on his knees for his sister’s life.

But could he do it?

Was he truly part of this family? Did he want to be?

Many questions still plagued his mind. Not because he had discovered that he shared the same blood with these people, it meant that he would automatically associate himself with them.

“I...” He was about to respond to him when Ethan stopped him.

“Please, let me introduce you to the rest of the family. Let me show you what it would be like to have us as your family.” Ethan interrupted him, not allowing him to reject them without giving them a chance.

Looking at Ethan’s face, he could see his excitement about his new idea. As if that was the perfect solution to their problem. But he doubted it.

“I don’t think that would be a good idea.” He finally answered, a bit wary about what Ethan was suggesting.

But still, his curiosity piqued his interest. What would it be like to be part of this family? What was it like to have loving parents who would want to make sure that he was ok? What was it like to have a sister? Someone to share your life with, the ups and downs.