The Boy She Tried to Throw Out

Chapter 07 - Marissa’s Refusal

The embrace did not repair anything.

Marissa made that clear thirty minutes later in a private hotel suite above the ballroom.

Theo sat on the sofa with hot chocolate and Elias nearby. Julian stood across from Marissa, tuxedo jacket removed, tie loosened, grief making him look younger and less important.

“I want a paternity test,” Julian said.

Marissa’s eyes flashed. “For him or for you?”

“For legal protection.”

“He is not a corporate asset.”

“I know.”

“Do you?”

Julian accepted the blow.

Marissa paced to the window. Below them, guests were being quietly dismissed. The gala had ended without the foundation announcement or engagement rumor. Celeste was in another room with counsel and security present.

Julian looked at Theo.

The boy was pretending not to listen.

“I will not take him from you,” Julian said.

Marissa turned. “You already threatened to.”

“I did not.”

“Your signature was on the letter.”

“It was forged.”

“And I was supposed to know that while holding a newborn alone?”

Julian had no defense.

He wanted to tell her he had suffered too. That he had mourned a child he believed dead. That he had spent years unable to enter nurseries or attend friends’ baptisms. But his pain did not cancel hers. Marissa had carried the consequences in rent, fevers, school forms, and every night Theo asked about his father.

So Julian said the only honest thing.

“I failed to question the story because questioning it would have meant admitting my family could do this.”

Marissa’s anger softened by one degree.

“Your family did do this.”

“Yes.”

Theo slid from the sofa.

He walked between them holding the untouched hot chocolate.

“Do I have to choose?”

Both adults answered immediately.

“No.”

Theo nodded.

“Good.”