Chapter 116

• Damien sat at a small table in the corner of the café, the soft hum of conversation and the clinking of cups surrounding him like a warm blanket. He stared out the window, his thoughts tangled in a web of confusion and uncertainty. The autumn leaves fluttered outside, a calm contrast to the storm brewing within him. He was early, as usual, wanting to gather his thoughts before Nathan arrived with the DNA results—a meeting that felt more like a reckoning.
• The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, but Damien had no appetite for it. He was restless, fingers drumming lightly against the smooth surface of the table. Nathan was the only one who knew what they were about to uncover, and the weight of the secret felt heavier than ever. Deep down, Damien knew that this day would change everything; he just didn’t know how.
• When the door swung open, he glanced up to see Nathan stride in. He looked unusually serious, an air of tension surrounding him as he made his way to the table. Damien's heart raced. Nathan dropped into the chair opposite him, placing a folded envelope on the table between them. It felt like an execution notice rather than an envelope containing results.