Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella) novel Chapter 1006

In the past, whenever Adelle started to cry, Derek’s heart would inevitably soften. No matter what the issue was, he’d always end up caving in.

But not this time.

Now, after years of rumors swirling about whether these children were really his, Derek found himself actually wanting to know the truth. Was he their father—or had he been deceived all along?

A cold, hard resolve took root in his chest, more unyielding than ever.

“Once the test is done, we’ll carry on as if nothing’s changed,” he said, voice steady and unyielding.

Neither Adelle nor Ivanna spoke. The moment Derek’s words landed, both women felt a cold weight plummet into the pits of their stomachs.

Ivanna shot a quick, panicked glance at Adelle. The secret—that Derek wasn’t the children's biological father—had long been an unspoken agreement between Adelle and her children. Only Derek was kept in the dark.

For Finch Murray, however, the shock was that his own twin sisters—Ivanna and Leanne—might not share his father, either.

Finch had discovered years ago that he wasn’t Derek's biological son. He’d guarded that knowledge fiercely, gathering whatever leverage he could within Black Gate. He'd always thought, Even if my secret comes out, at least Ivanna and Leanne are safe—they’re his real children. There will always be a place for our family, thanks to them.

But now, to his disbelief, the twins’ secret had surfaced before his.

After a long silence, Finch finally met Derek’s gaze. “Father, do you actually believe that once the paternity test is done, things can ever go back to the way they were?”

Derek said nothing.

Finch pressed on, disappointment lacing his words. “No matter what the test says, there’s no going back. Isn’t that right?”

Derek’s breathing hitched as he looked at Finch—bandages still wrapped around Finch’s battered face, eyes unwavering and resolute.

All at once, Adelle broke down in tears.

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