Page 86 of Biker Orc Baby Daddy
"Ms. Newman? Mr. Ridgeway?"
We stand. Follow a nurse to a small office. The doctor's young. Professional. She hands us an envelope. Sealed. Official.
"Your results," she says. "If you have questions, I'm happy to discuss."
Cecie takes the envelope. Stares at it. Her hands tremble.
The doctor leaves. Cecie and I sit. The envelope between us like a verdict.
"Do you want me to open it?" I ask softly.
Her hand hovers above the paper. Frozen. Her eyes meet mine. Wide. Scared.
"I don't know," she whispers. "What if. What if it changes everything?"
"It won't."
"You don't know that."
"I do. Because no matter what it says, I'm not leaving. I'm Orry's dad. Biology or not."
Her breath hitches. "Gunther?—"
"Open it, Cecie."
Her hand shakes. She picks up the envelope. Slides her finger under the seal. The paper tears. She pulls out the results. Reads.Her face goes pale. Then pink. Then something I can't name.She looks at me.
"99.9%," she says.
The world stops.
"He's yours," she whispers. "Gunther. He's yours.”
CHAPTER 11
CECIE
99.9%.
The number sits between us like a grenade with the pin pulled.
"He's yours," I say again. Because once wasn't enough. Because Gunther's face has gone completely blank and I need him tohearme. "Gunther. He's yours."
He blinks. Opens his mouth. Closes it. Reaches for the paper with fingers that won't quite cooperate.
I hand it over. Watch him read. Watch his eyes track the same words I just absorbed.Probability of paternity: 99.9%. Alleged father cannot be excluded.
"I'm—" His voice cracks. "I'm his dad."
"Yeah."
"I'm Orry's dad."
"That's what 99.9% means, yes."
He looks up. Eyes wet behind his glasses. "I have a son."
The words punch straight through my chest. Because hearing him say it. Watching his face crack open with something raw and unguarded. It makes itrealin a way the paper can't.
