Chapter 171
The DNA results arrived faster than expected.
A doctor entered the waiting room with a folder in his hands, his
expression professionally neutral.
“Mr. Cole, Ms. Lane,” he began, “I have your results.”
The room fell silent.
I felt Caspar’s hand brush against mine, a silent offer of support.
“The DNA comparison confirms a sibling relationship,” the doctor
stated. “You share the same biological parents.”
Clara gasped, tears immediately spilling down her cheeks.
Ethan’s expression transformed in an instant–disbelief giving way to
overwhelming joy.
He took several quick steps toward me, arms half–raised as if to
embrace me.
Caspar smoothly stepped forward, placing himself between us.
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His movement was subtle but unmistakable–a protective barrier.
“Perhaps we should give Audrey a moment,” Caspar suggested, his
voice low but firm.
Ethan halted, suddenly aware of his impulsiveness.
I took a deep breath and stepped forward.
“It’s okay,” I told Caspar, then faced the Cole brothers. “This is… a lot
to process.”
Ethan nodded, his voice thick with emotion.
“We’ve been looking for you for twenty–seven years. I’m so sorry we
couldn’t find you sooner.”
I studied his face–my brother’s face.
“I don’t blame you,” I said finally. “And I appreciate that you never
stopped looking.”
“You really don’t?” Ethan asked, his voice tinged with disbelief and
hope.
I gave a small nod. “How could I? You didn’t know where I was.”
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Relief washed over his face.
“I understand you need time to process all of this,” he said gently.
“But I want you to know that whenever you’re ready, the Cole family
will welcome you with open arms.”
A small, cautious smile formed on my lips.
“Thank you for understanding,” I said quietly.
The sincerity in his eyes was touching, even as the enormity of this
revelation continued to settle over me like a heavy blanket.
The last thing I wanted was to create another family drama like what
happened when Sienna returned to the Bailey family.
I glanced at Caspar, who had remained a steady presence at my side
throughout this emotional exchange.
With a slight nod, he understood I was ready to leave.
“We should go,” I said to Ethan and Clara. “I have a lot to think
about.”
As Caspar guided me toward the exit, I could feel the Cole family’s
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eyes following me.
Once we were in the car, Caspar turned to me before starting the
engine.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice gentle.
I stared straight ahead through the windshield.
“Complicated,” I answered honestly.
Caspar’s eyes softened as he looked at me.
“If that incident had never happened, you would have grown up as the
cherished princess of the Cole family.”
I turned to face him.
“What happened, happened. We can’t roll back time.”
I shook my head slightly.
“Even if I went back to the Cole family now, I’d be a stranger who
missed twenty–seven years of history. We share DNA, but we don’t share memories, experiences… all the things that actually make a family.”
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Caspar reached across the console and took my hand in his, his grip
warm and reassuring.
“I’m here for you,” he said, his voice low and intense.
Then, with unexpected directness, he asked, “Would you consider
marrying me?”
U
I blinked, caught completely off guard.
“What? Why so sudden?”
“Because then no one would dare to push you around,” he said, his
expression deadly serious.
“Not even the Cole family. ”
A surprised laugh escaped me despite the emotional weight of the
day.
“I haven’t even said I’m joining the Cole family.”
Caspar’s fingers tightened around mine.
“What if we just consider us, Audrey?”
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His voice became softer, more vulnerable than I’d ever heard it.
“Would you marry me then?”
I felt my breath catch in my throat.
My heart hammered against my ribs as I struggled to form words.
Some things couldn’t simply be set aside
