Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella) novel Chapter 1075

The results of the paternity test had come in on Derek’s end.

Just as Lacey had told Susanna, the report confirmed it: Susanna was his daughter.

So that very night, he went to find Susanna again.

“Come back to Blacktower with me,” he said.

Susanna fell silent, glancing instinctively at Hull.

Hull’s eyes met hers as well.

Her scalp prickled. All day she’d done nothing but field stories about her mom and Elliot, and she still hadn’t even mentioned the twin brother drama with Derek.

She felt like she was on the verge of a breakdown. “I’m not your daughter. Please, just believe me.”

“I watched the whole test myself. No one could have tampered with it,” Derek replied, voice steely with certainty.

And it was true. This time, after everything that had happened with previous paternity tests, Derek had trusted no one but himself. He’d insisted on overseeing every step, wanting nothing more than to finally settle the question: Was Susanna truly his daughter?

With the answer in, regret crept in too—a flaw that seemed baked into men. Once the woman they’d cherished proved less than perfect, it was always the one they’d wronged that came to mind. The whole drive over from Blacktower, Derek had been haunted by memories of Lacey’s past kindness to him.

Susanna nodded tightly. “Yes, I know—the test says I am. But I’m not. Really!”

Hull’s energy had turned dangerous, violence simmering just beneath the surface. As he started to get up, Susanna seized his hand, urgent. “I swear I’m not his daughter. Besides—if I was, would you really just leave me because of that?”

Hull shot her a look, and at her outburst, he hesitated—then sat back down, though his glare never left Derek. His dislike was almost tangible.

“I need to make a call,” Hull muttered, getting up. He paused to ruffle Susanna’s hair, a reassuring gesture that instantly put her at ease.

Once Hull was gone and they were alone, Derek looked at her, sadness etched onto his face. “I was wrong, back then,” he said quietly.

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