Irresistible Boss Succumbing to Your Touch (Maria Anita) novel Chapter 3

Flavian’s POV

I was very worried about what would happen when Manu discovered everything. She would suffer, and I would give anything to prevent her from suffering, but I also could not hide this. I was beginning to regret digging into this story. I thought even Olivia regretted it, as she spent the rest of the afternoon quiet, sitting in a corner of my office, staring into space.

"Olivia, do you regret going after this story?" I turned to her after finishing the last report of the day. I was ready to go home, but we still had to wait for Cam and his father.

"I was thinking about that," Olivia sighed and looked at me. "On one hand, I did not want my husband and the family he loved to go through this, but on the other hand, it is not fair to let Rita get away with all these evil deeds. I do not know, Flavian, in the end, I do not know what is worse or better or less bad."

"The little one will suffer more than the others," I commented, thinking about how hard it would be for Manu.

"She has always suffered more than others. The things Rita does to her..." Olivia gave me an understanding look. "But they say the truth sets you free, so let's hope that's the case and after the shock passes, Manu will be free and happier."

"I hope so." Just as I finished speaking, Cam and Orlando entered the room.

"Finally, we are here," Cam said anxiously.

"Flavian, what is going on? Cam would not tell me anything, but from the way he is acting, it must be something serious." Manu's father turned to me seeking the truth, and at that moment, I wished with all my might that this truth would indeed set her free.

"Father-in-law, please sit down." After they sat down and declined my offer of water, coffee, or anything else, it was time to speak. "Orlando, remember how Cam told me about his suspicion that Malu might be your first wife's daughter and not Rita's?"

"A nonsensical idea. I recognize their resemblance, but I know what I saw when I came home almost twenty years ago," Orlando responded quite seriously. "But why bring this up now?"

"Because I did not find Cam's idea so absurd," I replied. "I talked with Cam a few more times and we decided to investigate. But I want to make it clear that I only did this because we need to free Manu from Rita's clutches, and Manu cannot break free because she is holding onto the idea that Rita is her mother."

"But Rita is her mother, even though she is a horrible one," Orlando looked at me as if I were delirious.

"No, Orlando, everything indicates that Rita is not Manu's mother," I said, feeling the weight of what was in my hands.

"What did you say?" Orlando was confused and seemed even a bit angry.

I spent the next hour explaining to Orlando everything we had done so far and what we had discovered. Orlando's eyes were wet with tears. He wanted to see every piece of evidence we had gathered. The emotion he felt was heartbreaking, and I had no words to console him.

"She... she is not my daughter?" He asked through tears.

"That's what it looks like." I took a deep breath.

"Oh, Dad, I'm okay." Manu hugged him again, and he returned it with the tightest embrace. "Come, let me introduce you to my friends."

Manu pulled her father along and introduced him to her friends, and only then did she notice her brother and sister-in-law entering.

"I'm not surprised you're here, Cam. Olivia, since when did you become such a worrier?" Manu laughed, hugging her brother and sister-in-law.

"Since I found any excuse to spend a weekend with you," Olivia laughed, trying to ease the tension.

"Well, family, I should get going," Melissa stood up after a few minutes of conversation. She said goodbye to everyone, and near the door, she looked me in the eyes, knowing something big was coming. "Call me if you need anything, I'll come by tomorrow to check on her, and you can tell me everything." I just nodded, and Melissa left.

"I'm heading out too. Are you sleeping at my place, babe?" Rick stood up and was already pulling my sister along, which I thought was better for tonight, although I was still concerned about what was going on between them, if anything was going on at all.

"Yeah, I will. We can invite PH to do something." Lexie smiled; they also sensed something serious was about to happen there. She went to the bedroom, quickly packed an overnight bag, and left with Rick, blowing kisses to everyone.

"Now spill it, what's going on?" Manu looked seriously at each of us. The moment of truth had arrived.