Forsaking the Years of Longing
Forsaking Billionaire 100

Chapter 24

Matthew stood frozen in place, Daphne's words echoing in his mind like a soft yet unyielding melody. Her voice, calm and resolute, pierced him, leaving a deep ache in his chest. Without hesitation, Daphne turned and walked into the examination room to replace Jonathan.

As night fell, the soft glow of the house lights spread warmth through every corner, attempting to ease the weight of the night's events.

Jonathan, who had never been seriously injured before, now bore a wound for Daphne's sake. The thought filled her with an indescribable guilt. Clutching his medical report, she read it intently. Then, a line of text caught her eye: Blood Type: AB.

Daphne froze, her mind reeling. Looking up at Jonathan, who sat on the sofa with his usual warm smile, she felt her heart tighten. "Brother.. I noticed your blood type is different from the rest of our family," she said, her voice trembling with shock and unease.

Jonathan leaned forward, frowning slightly. "What are you talking about?"

"You're AB blood type?" Daphne asked again, her tone more urgent now.

If both parents were O blood type, their children should also be O. This discrepancy made no sense.

Jonathan hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. "It must be a mistake from the hospital."

Just then, the door to the study opened, and their parents stepped into the living room.

Their expressions were complex, as though they had been preparing for this moment for a long time.

"Children, it seems you've already started to uncover the truth,"

Gracie said gently, her voice heavy with emotion.

"What truth, Mom?" Jonathan asked, confusion and unease clouding his face.

"Daphne, Jonathan," Bob began, his voice steady yet somber, "it's time we told you the truth. Jonathan, you. are not our biological son."

The words landed like a thunderclap, leaving Jonathan stunned.

He shot to his feet, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"Dad, Mom, you're joking, right?"

Daphne, equally shocked, gripped the report tightly, her mind in turmoil. "This... this can't be true..."

Gracie approached Jonathan, placing her hands gently on his shoulders.

"Jonathan, we kept this secret because we were afraid it would hurt the bond between us. We found you by the riverbank shortly after Daphne was born. We brought you home and gave you the name Jonathan." Both siblings sat in stunned silence, their emotions indescribable.

Jonathan, who had grown up with Daphne, always cherishing and protecting her, now learned that they were not related by blood.

Looking around at his parents and the home he had always known, Jonathan felt a wave of alienation wash over him. Yet, for all these years, Bob and Gracie had treated him as their own son.

Sensing Jonathan's inner turmoil, Bob spoke again.

"Jonathan, don't worry. You've always been our son in every way that matters. As long as you protect Daphne and stay by her side, the family legacy will still be yours to inherit."

Jonathan's heart swelled with gratitude, and tears welled in his eyes.

"Thank you, Mom and Dad, for raising me as your own."

His parents smiled warmly.

"As long as you and Daphne are safe and happy, that's all we need."

Jonathan turned to look at Daphne, his emotions swirling into a complicated mix of feelings.

For years, he had felt something inexplicable toward her an overwhelming protectiveness, a twinge of jealousy whenever Matthew was around, and a flicker of light in his eyes whenever he looked at her. He had always chalked it up to sibling affection, but now he realized his feelings for Daphne went far beyond that.

Jonathan was shaken by the revelation, the flood of emotions leaving him reeling.

Looking at Daphne again, he saw her gazing back at him with warmth and understanding.

"Jonathan, whether or not you're my biological brother, you'll always be my brother," Daphne said, her voice gentle yet firm, like a spring breeze.

Jonathan's hand moved seemingly of its own accord, reaching out to pull her into a tight embrace.

In that moment, something deep within him began to take root- a seed of emotion quietly sprouting, destined to grow.