Vengeful Hearts Return Novel by Susan Clyde

Andrew opened the courtyard door and walked out, probably having heard the car engine downstairs.

“They’re all asleep. You shoul‘ o rest. I’ll keep watch here. Nothing will happen,” Andrew said, knocking on th

window.

Dylan lowered the rear window. “No need.” Even if he went back, he wouldn’t be able to sleep.

Andrew glanced at Dylan’s expression. He sighed and decided not to persuade him further. Instead, he instructed Richard, “Go get the medical kit and bandage your boss’s wound.”

Given their special status, they usually kept a first aid kit in the car for emergencies.

Richard went to the back of the car, opened the trunk, and took out a medical kit. He then walked to the back seat, turned on the overhead light, and began treating Dylan’s wound.

The blood had already dried around the gory wound, making it look quite horrendous. Bandaging it wasn’t difficult. Dylan didn’t utter a sound throughout the process.

Dylan kept watch outside for the entire night.

The next morning, Audrey had regained her energy. She first checked on Brian, who had just woken up and was much better.

Brian’s bright eyes scanned the room, looking slightly disappointed when he didn’t see the person he was searching for, but he quickly flashed a sweet smile to Audrey. “Audrey, were you scared?”

Audrey hadn’t missed Brian’s searching eyes and the disappointment in them, nor his obvious longing for his father during last night’s episode. Her eyes gleamed. She felt at surge of irritation, knowing Dylan might have guessed something.

Audrey replied, “Yes, so don’t scare Mommy anymore. Get up and wash up. Everyone is waiting downstairs.” She laid out Brian’s clothes.

Brian dressed himself. Then, he brushed his teeth and washed his face before following Audrey downstairs.

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The pair were immediately greeted by Phoebe’s warm concern. Once she confirmed they were both fine and in good spirits, she relaxed.

The photos and videos from the previous day made Phoebe feel even more tender toward Audrey and Brian. Brian’s sweet demeanor, coupled with his adorable and sensible nature, endeared hir the older folks even more. He made Phoebe very

happy.

After breakfast, Audrey and Brian prepared to leave. Phoebe was reluctant and wanted them to stay longer, but she eventually let them go. Before they departed, she loaded their car with plenty of food to take back.

As Audrey and Brian drove out of the Roscente family’s residence, they saw Dylan outside.

Brian’s eyes lit up. He wanted to run to Dylan, but a glance at Audrey’s cold expression made him reconsider.

Audrey noticed Dylan too but ignored him. Dylan felt a pang in his chest when

Audrey’s cold gaze passed over him. As the car drove past Dylan’s, Audrey didn’t look at him again.

Brian glanced at Dylan outside the car, then at Audrey. He said, “Audrey, Grandma said Mr. Clifford waited outside all night. Do you want to look at him?”

Audrey turned to Brian. Although Brian was more mature and sensible than other children his agc, he was still just a six–year–old child, unable to hide all his thoughts.

“Do you like him very much?” Audrey asked.

Brian nodded, then shook his head. “Your feelings are what I care about. I just think Mr. Clifford seems a bit pitiful,” Brian replied earnestly.

Audrey gently patted Brian’s head, her gaze gentle.

When they got home, a message arrived from overseas. [The new blood sample you. provided didn’t match.]

Seeing the message, Audrey pursed her lips, her expression becoming more solemn. If William’s blood didn’t match, only one other person could be tested.

Another message soon came. [Moreover, I discovered something else.]Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Audrey, preoccupied with the failed blood match, replied absentmindedly: [What is it?]

The response was quick. [The blood sample you provided not only didn’t match but indicates there is no relationship between you and the owner.]

Audrey sat up abruptly at 11

Iessage. [What do you mean?]

The next message clarified: [It means you’re not biologically related to that blood sample’s owner.]

The phrase “not biologically related” hit Audrey like a bombshell. She knew very well she had personally taken the blood sample from William. If their blood didn’t match, it meant William was not biologically related to her. In other words, he was not her biological father.

Audrey couldn’t wrap her mind around it. She thought, ‘If William isn’t my father, then who is my real father?”

As Audrey struggled to process this revelation, her phone rang with a call from

overseas.

“Do you

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have any other family members‘ blood samples? If not, there’s only one last option,” the voice on the phone said.

“What option?” Audrey asked, her lips tight.

The voice replied, “We can try cord blood. Preferably from a sibling of Brian with the same parents. The probability of a match is higher that way.”

Audrey frowned, resistant to this idea. She didn’t want too many entanglements with Dylan. However, no matter which choice she made, she couldn’t avoid involving Dylan.

“I’ll think about it,” Audrey said, pursing her lips.

Around noon, Dylan called, but Audrey didn’t answer. Dylan then called Brian’s phone. Because of last night’s events, Brian felt closer to Dylan and happily answered before handing the phone to Audrey.

With a slight frown and under Brian’s hopeful gaze, Audrey took the phone. “What’s up?

I want to discuss Brian’s condition with you, Dylan quickly said. Fearing Audrey would refuse, he hurriedly added, “This condition has appeared in the Clifford family before.”

Hearing this, Audrey’s heart sank. She realized Dylan must have figured out that Brian was his son. She didn’t want to meet Dylan but couldn’t ignore his last statement.

“Okay, Audrey agreed.

“I’ll book a place and send you the location tomorrow,” Dylan said hurriedly. He was relieved and happy Audrey agreed, and was afraid