Chapter 75 – The Past Returns

As their stay in New York neared its end, Alex’s demanding schedule finally began to ease.
A phone call came to their hotel room—someone had arrived to see him at the front desk.
Puzzled by the unexpected visitor, Alex left Naosa in the room and went down to the lobby alone.

An older man stood waiting beside the reception clerk. Something about his posture felt vaguely familiar.
As Alex approached with growing unease, the man turned around.

“It’s been quite some time, Dr. O’Neill.”

Alex’s blood ran cold with recognition.
It was Mr. Malcolm Grayson—Emily’s father.

A flood of unwelcome memories surged through him like a tide. Swallowing his mounting anxiety, Alex forced himself to maintain a calm façade.
“It’s been a long time, Mr. Grayson. I appreciate you taking the trouble to come all this way.”

Malcolm nodded with formal courtesy. “I came to congratulate you on your prestigious award and the recognition you’ve received. But… I also have an urgent request.”

Alex’s voice tightened with apprehension. “Thank you for your congratulations. What is it you need?”

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Malcolm sighed deeply. “I once hoped you and my daughter would find happiness together. It’s a shame things ended the way they did. I hear you’re engaged now.”

“Yes. The wedding is planned for three months from now,” Alex replied evenly.

“I suppose I have to accept that reality,” Malcolm said with visible disappointment. Then his tone hardened.
“But as Emily’s father, I can’t ignore the fact that you’ve never once met your own child or offered any support. My daughter—and my grandchild—have suffered enough. It’s time you took responsibility.”

His stern eyes bore into Alex with unforgiving intensity.

Alex blinked, utterly confused. He had no idea what Malcolm was talking about.
“I… I don’t understand. Emily never told me anything about this.”

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Malcolm exhaled, weary and grave. “I thought as much. My daughter truly loved you with her whole heart. When you moved to that research institute in Africa, she quit our laboratory—without my permission—and followed you there against all reason. After that, you abandoned her completely. She was left alone in Africa and gave birth to your child. Having defied me to go there, she couldn’t bring herself to return home in shame. She stayed and raised your son alone for years.

I only recently discovered I had a grandson. That’s why I came here today. I want to do something meaningful for them.”

Alex stood speechless, his world tilting on its axis.

Malcolm’s voice softened. “Your son—whom you’ve never met—has heard stories about you from Emily. He was genuinely proud when he learned about your award. They’re temporarily back in the country now. Would you please meet him, just once?”

Alex asked for time to think and process, but Malcolm’s reply was sharp with paternal fury.
“You can choose another life with someone else, but what about my daughter and grandson? The least you can do is show some sincerity and responsibility.”

Alex drew a steady breath. “Then let’s clarify things properly—including confirming whether he’s really my child.”

“You dare doubt my daughter’s word?” Malcolm snapped. “Fine. I’ll bring her—and your son—to the hotel lobby tomorrow.”
Without waiting for a response, he turned and left with decisive finality.

Alex stood frozen in the lobby, anxiety churning violently inside him.
He knew it was selfish, but all he could think was—I cannot lose Naosa.

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When he returned to their room, Naosa looked up with innocent curiosity.
“Who was it who came to see you?”

Alex replied with forced casualness, “An old acquaintance from my past. We’re meeting again tomorrow. Would it be all right if we stayed in New York one more night?”

Naosa smiled cheerfully, unaware of the storm brewing.
“Most of our luggage is already packed, so that’s fine! That means we get one more dinner together—I’ll find somewhere delicious.”

Alex’s heart sank like a stone. I don’t want her to hate me. I don’t want to hurt her.
That was all he could think.

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The following afternoon, Alex left Naosa in their room and headed to the lobby at the agreed time.

Malcolm was waiting with military punctuality—and Emily stood beside him, looking nervous and uncertain.

After a brief, tense greeting, they moved to a quiet corner table for privacy.

Alex looked directly at Emily with measured composure. “I heard you have a child—and that you claim he’s mine.”

Emily, who had smiled tentatively moments before, glared at Malcolm with visible frustration, then muttered, “Yes… he’s yours.”

Alex said calmly, “Then let’s arrange a DNA test immediately. First—how old is he?”

Malcolm and Emily both bristled defensively, accusing Alex of insulting them with his doubts.

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Alex met Emily’s gaze with steady resolve. “I know what I did to you was unforgivable. I used your feelings and never valued you properly. I’m truly sorry for that pain. But we’re living different lives now. I intend to take responsibility—but before that, I need definitive proof. It may be selfish of me to say this… but there’s someone else I need to protect now.”

Emily replied with bitter resignation, “He’ll be ten this year. I don’t need your proof. He’s your son—that’s all. I don’t want anything from you. Just leave us alone. I’ll raise him myself.”

Malcolm turned to her, furious. “Don’t be ridiculous. We need to clarify things properly—for the child’s sake.”

Then, addressing Alex with businesslike precision, he said, “What you said makes perfect sense. We’ll arrange a DNA test. We can discuss everything else once we have the results.”

He took the now-crying Emily by the arm and left with determined purpose.

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Meanwhile, Naosa had grown restless in their room and wandered out to the hotel’s peaceful courtyard for some fresh air.

There, she noticed an older woman strolling leisurely with an energetic little boy. The boy ran about playfully—then suddenly tripped near where she stood.

Naosa quickly helped him to his feet with gentle concern. “You’re so brave for not crying,” she said warmly.

The boy beamed with pride. “Today’s the day I meet my dad! I don’t want him to see me crying!”

Naosa smiled softly. “That’s wonderful. I’m sure he’s really looking forward to seeing you.”

“Yeah! My dad’s a famous doctor. He just got a really big award! My mom was so happy!”

Naosa froze completely. A chill ran through her like ice water. No way…

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Just then, an older man and a young woman emerged from the lobby. The man called out firmly, “We’re going home today!”

The older woman took the boy’s hand and turned to leave. Naosa’s heart pounded with growing dread.

It was her—the woman from the photograph in Alex’s old room.
It was Emily.

As they climbed into a waiting taxi, Alex came running out desperately—but the car had already pulled away.

Naosa stood there, stunned and motionless.

Alex saw her frozen in place, eyes brimming with devastated tears. He rushed over and wrapped his arms around her protectively.

Naosa broke down, sobbing with heartbreak.

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Back in their room, Alex told her everything with painful honesty.

Holding her tightly, he said with desperate conviction, “If he really is my child, I’ll take full responsibility. But that doesn’t mean I’ll change my future with you. I can’t change the past—but I can’t change my future either. Please forgive me. I can’t live without you.”

Naosa felt dazed. She loved him—but her thoughts drifted to her own lonely childhood, and to Kazu, who had grown up without parents. She remembered the day he came home in tears, bullied for not having a complete family, and how long it had taken to comfort him.

Now, that same innocent smile belonged to another child. She felt as though she were stealing something precious from him.

She was terrified—terrified that Alex’s feelings might change over time. Unlike her, Emily shared something unbreakable with him: a child.

Naosa felt utterly powerless. All she could do was quietly watch what would happen next.

As Alex had promised, they would arrange the DNA test as soon as they returned home and wait for the results.
What came after… neither of them could predict.

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The next morning, they left New York and returned home in heavy silence.
They held hands tightly the entire journey, as if afraid to let go.

When they arrived, Naosa acted as usual, carefully hiding her emotions so no one would worry. Lu and Kacy, assuming Alex had upset her again, scolded him playfully—making everyone laugh. For a moment, it almost felt as though things had returned to normal.

The next morning, after seeing Lu and Kacy off, Naosa, preparing for the laboratory for the first time in weeks, said to Alex, “I feel a little tired. I think I’ll take the day off.”

Alex was worried by her pale complexion, but he had an important meeting he couldn’t miss.
“Are you sure you’ll be all right?”

Naosa smiled with forced brightness. “Yes, I’ll be fine. I just need a little rest. I’ll be okay tomorrow.”
She saw him off with a wave.

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Later that day, before resting, Naosa walked to the music room, intending to play the piano for the first time in a while.

She approached the instrument, her fingers brushing the polished lid.
“Sorry it’s been so long,” she whispered to her oldest friend.

Then the world went black—she collapsed.

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That day, Alex was completely swamped with catch-up work and meetings after their extended trip. He hadn’t found time to call home.

That evening, he went out for a celebratory dinner with Miguel—invited by Mr. Ellis and Deb to mark his award.

Finally, before heading to the restaurant, he called the house with anticipation.

Lu picked up immediately. “How’s Nao doing?” Alex asked.

“She’s not with you?” Lu said, surprised.

Kacy, overhearing the exchange, ran to check the bedroom. “It’s dark everywhere!” she shouted, alarm rising.

Then—from the music room—Kacy screamed in terror, “Call an ambulance! Hurry! She’s unconscious!”

Alex’s voice cracked with panic. “Tell the paramedics to take her to Saint Clarion Emergency. I’m on my way!”

Panic surged through him like electricity. He spun around and sprinted toward his car.

As he ran, Naosa’s voice echoed in his mind—I’ll be okay tomorrow.

He wished, more than anything in the world, that tomorrow would come as usual.

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