Chapter 279: It’s Going To Be Just Fine
Brooke arrived home at the same time with Thane, and they both had their attention fixed to their phones.
"Thane, is this your doing?" Brooke asked, flashing her screen at Thane. On the display, was the headlines from a statement from the captain of the police department.
And it wasn’t just any statement, it was a statement of apology with the entire police force lined up in a group photo, holding a banner with Brooke’s face on it.
Thane shook his head, "I was going to help but not in this way, I was beaten to it." He gritted his teeth, saying the sentence out loud he already had an inkling of an idea of who it was.
As though on cue, Brooke’s phone rang, it was Kayden calling. She recalled giving him her number back when became her sponsor. She answered the phone and placed it on speaker.
"Kayden, how is Mr Julian doing?" Brooke asked.
Kayden replied, "The old man is alive and kicking, the stab wound wasn’t that deep, he was asking for you when he woke up." He told her.
She heaved a sigh of relief. "That’s good! I’m glad to hear he’s well."
Kayden responded, "I’m glad to hear you’re okay, your driver was searching everywhere for you. When I couldn’t find the both of you I just assumed that maybe he had taken you home already. I’m glad that’s the case."
Thane raised a brow, just who was this younger man sounding chummy with his wife?
Shifting from exchanging pleasantries, Kayden got to the main reason why he called. "Did you see my aunt’s apology gift to you? She said to make sure that no one says anything bad about you online. Aunt Susan says that if it’s not enough, she’ll have even the army come out and give an apology statement." He said, being completely honest with her.
The army? Thane was now very interested in who this person was.
"That’s too much! You’re all doing so much for me, I can’t possibly repay your kindness. It was my fault Mr Julian was assaulted-"
Thane reached for her shoulder and gave it a tight squeeze. "It’s not."
Kayden also said to her, "Cassie is to blame. Once my aunt gets back from her errand, she said I’ll be able to go to the station and file a complaint against Cassie. Then, I’ll have that woman locked up for her crime."
Brooke and Thane exchanged quick glances with each other.
"You’re having her arrested? Is Mr Julian not afraid of sending his daughter to prison?" she knew the old man wanted nothing more than the chance to love his children.
"Yes, you see, my aunt just revealed to me that’s she’s going to pick up the DNA test results she secretly had done." He revealed to them.
Secret DNA test? Brooke could not believe her ears. So there was a strong chance that Cassie might not be Julian’s actual daughter. The thought brought her so much joy she found herself grinning from ear to ear.
"She left some hours ago, so she must be on her way back-" he was saying, only to stop halfway in his sentence.
Brooke leaned in closer, "Hello? What was that?" She couldn’t catch the last part he said.
"What the hell are you doing back here?! I thought I told you not to show your face here ever again!" Kayden yelled over the phone.
"Hello?! Kayden?!"
Brooke’s calls fell on deaf ears.
She looked to Thane who seemed just as confused as she was, wondering just who it was he was shouting at.
Brooke was left in the dark until she heard a familiar voice saying, "He’s my daddy too! I have every right to be here!"
Cassie! She hissed and turned to leave, but Thane held her by the wrist. "Where are you headed?"
"Cassie is back to cause more problems for them! I have to go back-"
Thane gave her a look. "You’re going to cause another scandal and get yourself hurt again?" He interpreted her idea in his own way.
Brooke wanted to argue, but this time Thane stood his ground. "They just helped us by clearing your name, it would be unfair to rush back in and undo all of that."
Brooke sighed, she knew that he was right. Even if she has gone what would she have done?
"I swear I’m going to make Cassie pay if she goes anything to harm them." Brooke declared, the image of a bloody Julian playing before her eyes.
Thane pulled her in for a hug, "Don’t worry, I’m sure everything will work out." He said, gently stroking her hair.
Whilst he did this, he recalled his visit to Gilbert, rather his visit to the hospital, and something that had caught his attention.
-An Hour Ago-
After he finished speaking with Gilbert, Thane didn’t get the closure his wife spoke of, but he did feel he better understood where Gilbert was coming from. Naturally, that didn’t mean he would forgive him, that card was off the table.
But at least, he decided to leave him and his family alone.
On his way out, Thane noticed a signboard newly set up at the hospital’s lobby. Some of the hospital staff were distributing handouts and gave one to Thane.
"DNA testing awareness." He read aloud, staring at the font with keen interest.
Julian’s words flashed in his mind. And some strings of thoughts began connecting in his head.
-Cassie’s age didn’t match up.
-Scott couldn’t find Cassie despite her being so famous.
-Brooke’s father was not Scott, and still hadn’t been identified.
He narrowed his eyes. "Perhaps I should have this looked into more." He thought out loud, then signalled for the nearest nurse.
*Present*
Recalling those memories, Thane felt his chest tighten.
Could it be?
He looked down at Brooke and kissed her forehead, "It’s going to be just fine, I swear it will."
However, everything was not alright.
After all, nothing could prepare anyone for the news that would surface next...
Author’s Note: 5 Chapters are left for the conclusion of this arc. I will be uploading them later today or tonight. Please read these while you wait.
Thanks for waiting!