"So I told him I had an IUD and couldn’t get pregnant."
I let out a loud breath.
Wow. Just… wow.
My dad really built his life on many lies. I want to understand him and justify him, but sometimes it’s really hard. Getting angry while he’s on his deathbed would be cruel, but another lie weighs on me anyway.
"Oh, Dad, I don’t even know what to say. So many people could’ve made different choices, so many things could have turned out another way."
Dad’s voice breaks. "Well, yes. Mistake after mistake, again and again, but all of them are mine. And you… having you was never a mistake. I stand by that. I just never wanted the shadow of my wrongdoings to fall on you, Alex…"
My heart aches so much, but I force the vital question out. "What family is this, these rich and gifted people?" My voice turns shaky.
"The Lowens."
"What!?"
His pale lips curve into a faint smile.
"Yes. Funny, right? I worked on a case once and met him then. Later I advised him… he was great, smart, dedicated…"
"Wait, let me guess. I know all their names. There are five brothers, right?"
"Yes."
Everyone knows the Lowens, they’re a famous millionaire family. I know the oldest is Victor, a press mogul, an alpha. Second is Thor, probably the least known, who inherited their father’s investment company, also an alpha. Third is Sebastien, an omega, co-owner of the famous and powerful Omega Red Line Agency. Fourth is Jacob, also an omega, the head of DevApp where Bay’s brother Winter works. And the youngest is Blue Lowen, an omega, a geneticist, well-known and award-winning scientist from Malden Pharmaceutical.
I list them for my dad.
"That’s right. I didn’t know you were interested in them."
"It was by chance. I once met Victor’s son, Axel, at a chess tournament. He was really good. He got second place right after me. I got interested and read a bit about him because he was going to be in the next tournament and I wasn’t sure if I could beat him. We were neck and neck."
Dad exhales and quietly asks,
"So who do you think? Which one of the five brothers is your father?"
"It has to be Victor or Thor. I doubt you slept with their father, the old patriarch Lowen. The guy must’ve been around sixty-five back then, since it was eighteen years ago…"
Dad closes his eyes, a strange smile on his pale face.
Exactly then a nurse walks in, and I curse under my breath.
Terrible timing.
"We’re doing the doctor’s rounds now."
Dad reaches for my hand and squeezes it lightly. He’s clearly running out of strength.
"We’ll talk later, son. Please remember that I love you, and forgive me for all the hurt I caused you."
"That’s okay, I just…"
"I’m very sorry about what happened with Bay, but it was beautiful of him to choose to support you. It gives me peace to know that when I’m gone, your life will be secure. He’s such a good boy. I truly wanted things to work out for you two."
He takes a breath, but it’s shallow now. He’s frighteningly pale.
He whispers, "Their family… they’re good people… I was happy you were with one of them, but the fact he promised to support you… it lets me sleep without fear. You won’t even have to ask your father for it, because I know that would be painful and difficult."
