Chapter 141: The Truth, the Past and Our Future

Chapter 141: Chapter 141: The Truth, the Past and Our Future

~Third- POV~

Frederick placed his phone on the table, pushed the distraction aside, and headed toward the bed to gently wake his baby so they could get ready, have breakfast, and relax a little before leaving Paris.

Shortly afterward, Reynold stretched and sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes with a sleepy smile. They headed into the bathroom together to shower. Once they had dried off with plush white towels and returned to the bedroom, Frederick picked up the hairdryer and gently dried Reynold’s soft hair for him.

After dressing in comfortable travel outfits, they settled at the table as the housemaids brought in a freshly prepared breakfast. The morning sunlight streamed through the windows, filling the suite with a warm glow.

Reynold took a sip of his orange juice and gazed out the window.

"Daddy, I’m really going to miss Paris. I had so much fun."

Frederick smiled warmly, reaching across the table to squeeze his hand. "Me too, sweetheart. But don’t worry. As soon as your semester ends and you’re on break, I’ll take you and Lily on a trip to different countries."

Reynold beamed. "I really can’t wait."

At the mention of Lily, he paused thoughtfully.

"Speaking of Lily... I haven’t seen you call her lately. Is everything okay?"

"Everything is fine, baby," Frederick reassured him. "She congratulated us on our engagement and wanted to speak to you. But she insisted on waiting until we get back. I already promised her I’d share your number with her, so you’d better get ready for a talkative daughter calling you every night."

Reynold smiled. "I really don’t mind. I love listening to her."

Frederick chuckled. "Well, Lily said she wants us to enjoy our time together without her constantly calling and disturbing us. We’ve been texting back and forth, though."

"That’s good," Reynold replied.

Frederick set down his coffee cup, and his expression grew more serious. "Babe, there’s something I need to tell you. I decided to put the full story about Eva and me out there. The interview was released this morning."

Reynold’s eyes widened. "Why? I thought we talked about this yesterday. I told you I didn’t want you to..."

"Sweetheart, listen to me." Frederick’s voice was gentle but deep and intently focused. "I heard everything you said yesterday, and I understand your point of view. I just couldn’t agree to doing nothing. This isn’t only about you, Reynold. Trust me."

Reynold went quiet, listening, as Frederick continued.

"I didn’t do this out of malice or simply to ruin her career," Frederick said carefully. "I want her to learn from her mistakes, but more than that, I’m putting her to the test. I need to know if she has truly changed. I cherish my daughter above everything. If I’m ever going to let Eva back into Lily’s life, I have to be certain she’s capable of being a mother who will love and protect her, just as I have all these years."

He leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. "Lily is turning eighteen soon, Reynold. I’m afraid that as she gets older, she might start keeping things from me because she doesn’t want to worry me. But if Eva is genuinely ready to be a good mother, she needs to prove that she can put Lily’s needs first and won’t make the same mistakes again."

He glanced out the window for a moment, then brought his gaze back to Reynold. "Eva has always been exceptionally good at communicating. She knows how to talk to people and handle almost any situation... except when it comes to me. She’s wonderful with everyone around her, and yet she’s always been stubborn with me. I still don’t know why. But it doesn’t matter anymore."

His voice steadied. "Back then, she always said that getting pregnant so young had disrupted the plans she had for her career. I never blamed her for wanting to pursue her dreams. I supported her career even after Lily was born. What I could never accept was her decision to walk away from her own child. Even if she no longer wanted me, she should have cared enough to be there for her daughter."

He looked down at their joined hands before meeting Reynold’s eyes again. "That’s why I believe that if Eva has genuinely changed, she could be good for Lily. There are certain things a girl might find difficult to discuss with her father, but feel more comfortable sharing with her mother. I want Lily to have that kind of relationship if Eva is truly capable of being the mother she deserves."

Reynold listened quietly, taking in everything Frederick was telling him. He could hear the years of hurt behind his words, as well as the determination of a man who had raised his daughter on his own and wanted nothing more than to protect her.

"So this isn’t only about what she did to us." Frederick reached out and covered Reynold’s hand with his own. "I understand why you forgave her. You have a kind heart. But I couldn’t leave my side of the story untold any longer, not when my daughter’s safety is involved. I’m not saying Eva would physically hurt her. I need to see whether she’ll stand up and own her truth as a mother, or deny she has a daughter to protect her public image."

Frederick’s gaze hardened slightly, though his tone remained calm. "But listen, baby. No matter how much you’ve forgiven Eva, I will still make sure she gives you a sincere, face-to-face apology for the way she treated you. This interview was necessary. I wanted the truth about my past out in the open so there would be nothing left for people to speculate about. I’m free of her now. She’s part of my history, not a secret I have to carry."

He squeezed Reynold’s hand, and his expression softened. "She is my past, Reynold. You are my future. That’s settled. What happens next will decide whether Eva ever gets to meet her daughter, because my priority will always be protecting my family."

Reynold looked at Frederick, a quiet understanding settling over him. He finally saw the reason behind Frederick’s decision, and the weight of responsibility he carried for his daughter.

He nodded slowly and tightened his fingers around Frederick’s.

"I understand now, Daddy," he said softly, with a reassuring smile. "You did the right thing."

Frederick gave a firm nod. "This way, my daughter can see everything out in the open and decide for herself."

"You’re so strong, Daddy," Reynold said, his eyes warm with respect. "I’m learning so much from you. In the end, Eva has to answer to the media, and her response will decide her future, without you having to destroy her. Letting her choose between coming clean and hiding the truth puts her in a difficult position. And knowing Eva, she might choose her career again, just as she always has."

Frederick smoothed his thumb over Reynold’s knuckles and smiled. "Alright, baby. Enough about her. Let’s talk about us."

Reynold’s smile brightened at once. "Alright, sunshine."

Frederick leaned across the table, his eyes holding Reynold’s with sudden, tender intensity. "Do you want to have a child with me? Because I want a lot of them with you."

A flush crept across Reynold’s cheeks. He covered his face with both hands and laughed softly. "I’ve honestly never thought about that! I’m still a baby myself!"

"At your age, I already had Lily," Frederick said, a mischievous spark in his eyes. "So. Do you want a baby with me?"

Reynold bit his lip, his shy grin widening. He stood, leaned over Frederick’s chair, and put his lips close to his ear. "Yes, Daddy. I want four babies," he whispered. "Two boys and two girls."

Frederick’s deep laughter filled the room. "Then it’s settled. We’ll start trying to make babies on the flight back home."

Reynold burst into laughter. "Daddy, no amount of sex is going to get me pregnant!"

Frederick gave him a mischievous smile. "You haven’t tried it yet. Once I activate my magic cock, you’ll be pregnant before you know it."

Reynold laughed even harder, shaking his head. "Daddy, stop! That’s not possible. The only way that could happen is if we get reincarnated into an Omegaverse world!"

Frederick chuckled, looking up at him fondly. "I’d have loved to see you with a baby bump. It would look adorable on you, and you know I’d spoil you rotten."

"I would have loved to carry your child," Reynold said, grinning. "I’d let you do absolutely everything and get whatever I wanted."

"You don’t need to be pregnant for that." Frederick met his eyes, his voice dropping into mock formality. "Go ahead and order me around, sir. I’m at your service."

Reynold’s smile widened. "You’re so sweet."

He slipped into Frederick’s lap and wrapped his arms around his neck.

"I love that you even think about having children with me. Even though I’m not a woman, we can have a baby through surrogacy when the time is right. I can’t wait to give Lily a little brother or sister."

Frederick smiled tenderly, cupping Reynold’s cheek. "We’ll have that family, baby. And when the time comes, I’ll make sure you have everything you need. I want to experience every part of it with you, from choosing our surrogate to bringing our baby home. Lily will have her siblings, and you’ll have the big, beautiful family you’ve always deserved."

"Thank you, Daddy," Reynold whispered, his eyes filled with affection.

"You don’t have to thank me, sweetheart. I love you so much, Reynold," Frederick murmured, leaning closer to press a tender kiss against his lips.

"I love you more," Reynold said, and buried his face in the crook of Frederick’s neck.

Frederick smiled and pulled him flush against his chest, wrapping both arms around him, content to simply hold his whole world a little longer before they left for the airport...