True Love Deserves a Second Chance
Chapter 233 Paternity Test

Elise woke up and saw Derek first thing.

He was sitting by the bed, working on some documents. The way he furrowed his brows and signed with such force brought back some odd memories for Elise.

She remembered Cordelia resting her chin on her hand, smiling at Derek. His expression and handwriting were just the same.

Derek suddenly looked up at Cordelia with a tender smile. He gently tapped her nose and said, "Come here."

She happily got up and threw herself into his arms, softly caressing the mole on his Adam's apple. "Derek, let's have a child," she said.

Derek kissed her eyes and replied, "How many do you want? I'll make it happen tonight." Then he kissed her.

Elise's cheeks burned at the memory. 'Why is this so clearly? Did I see Derek and Cordelia being intimate? Was I really the mistress, like Cordelia said?'

She gripped the blanket tightly, a thought suddenly hitting her.

Elise stared into Derek's deep eyes, tears welling up. 'No way! I couldn't be Derek's mistress. Leo can't be Derek's child.'

Just as she was feeling overwhelmed, Derek looked up and saw her tears. He dropped his documents and rushed over. "Elise, is it your wound? I'll get the doctor."

As he was about to leave, Elise grabbed his wrist. "Mr. Winters, I'm fine," she said hoarsely.

Derek looked at her with concern. "Why were you so reckless? I gave you protective gear. What if something happened to you? What would Leo do without you?"

Elise looked at him with tear-filled eyes. "I know how ruthless Cordelia can be. If we don't convict her this time, you and Leo might be next."

Derek's heart tightened, and he gripped her fingers harder. "What have you and Leo been through all these years? Can you tell me?"

Elise's eyelashes trembled. "It's the past, Derek. It doesn't matter anymore."

Seeing her avoid his gaze and try to pull her hand away, Derek held on firmly. "Elise, I'm sorry. I don't remember our past, but I know Cordelia caused your suffering. Let me help you recover your memory and find our past, okay?" "Derek," Elise said hoarsely, "if I really am the mistress who ruined your relationship with Cordelia, would you hate me?"

"No," Derek replied without hesitation. "I don't know what happened, but I'm sure it wasn't your fault. If anyone's to blame, it's me. So don't push me away. Let's find our memories together. Don't you think Leo resembles Sebastian in some ways?"

His words hit Elise hard. If Leo was Derek's child, then they had done something wrong behind Cordelia's back.

Elise pulled her hand away and shook her head vigorously. "No way, he can't be your son!"

Seeing her reaction, Derek tried to calm her. "Don't get upset. I was just speculating. I'm looking into it and will get answers for you and Leo."

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.com is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! Elise's emotions were all over the place, so Derek called the doctor to give her a sedative.

Watching her fall asleep with tears still in her eyes, Derek felt a sharp pain in his chest. 'What had she gone through to end up like this?'

He gently wiped away her tear. Just then, his phone rang.

He stepped out of the room, and a man's voice came through. "Derek, the results from the sample you sent are in."

Derek's heart skipped a beat. "What are the results?"

"These two DNA samples confirm a parent-child relationship."

Derek's back hit the wall. Leonard was his child. He had caused so much pain for Elise.

Derek felt a mix of joy, guilt, and deep regret for what Elise and Leonard had endured. When had he been with Elise? He had no memory of it.

After hanging up, Derek stood alone in the hallway, his fingers trembling. He pulled out a cigarette, his hands shaking as he lit it. He took a deep drag, the nicotine stinging his throat and making him cough.

Derek finally understood why Leonard had looked at him with such hatred. He was the jerk Leonard had mentioned who abandoned his mother.

Leonard had known all along that Derek was his father but didn't want to acknowledge him.

Thinking of this, Derek felt a sharp pain in his heart. He tried to numb himself with tobacco, but after several cigarettes, his heart still ached.

Just then, a clear voice interrupted. "Don't you know smoking is not allowed in the hospital?"

Leonard stood nearby, holding a lunch box, their eyes meeting.

Derek quickly extinguished the cigarette, his face tense. "I forgot."

He looked at Leonard and said, "Your mom woke up earlier. She got a bit agitated, so I had the doctor give her a sedative."

Leonard frowned. "What did you say to her?"

Derek pressed his lips together, then said hoarsely, "I questioned your background."

Leonard rushed over and grabbed him by the collar, his eyes cold and piercing. "You think my mom was some cheap mistress? She would never do that. If she did, it was because you deceived her, got her pregnant, and then abandoned her. Derek, you'll never understand what my mom has been through, you'll never know her pain.If you want me to acknowledge you as my dad, that's never going to happen!"