Accidentally Crossing the Tycoon Chapter 148

Audrey's POV:

The morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of Thornton's estate, casting long shadows across the marble floor.

I grabbed my car keys from the entryway table.

"Where are you going?"

Caspar's voice startled me.

I turned to find him standing at the bottom of the grand staircase.

"Manhattan Memorial Hospital," I said, my voice steadier than I expected.

A muscle twitched in Caspar's jaw.

"What happened?"

I inhaled deeply.

"Clara tried to take a sample of my hair yesterday for DNA testing, but something went wrong."

"So you're going to the hospital to do the test yourself?" Caspar asked, his expression unreadable.

"Yes." I tightened my grip on my keys.

"If they want answers, I'll give them."

Caspar nodded, then reached for his phone.

"I'll come with you."

"You don't have to—"

"I want to," he interrupted, already texting someone—probably James to reschedule his morning meetings.

Something warm unfurled in my chest.

---

When we arrived at the hospital, Clara was waiting near the entrance.

"Audrey," she rushed to me, reaching for my hands. "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay," I interrupted, giving her hands a gentle squeeze.

"I understand why you did it."

Clara nodded gratefully, then noticed Caspar standing protectively beside me.

Before she could say anything, Ethan Cole approached from the hospital lobby.

His posture was stiff, shoulders tense as he walked toward us.

There was an awkward hesitation in his steps, like he wasn't quite sure how to approach me.

"Audrey," he said, his voice slightly unsteady. "Thank you for coming today. I... we really appreciate it."

I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, acutely aware of how he was studying my features.

The weight of what we were about to confirm hung heavily between us, creating an almost tangible tension.

"Where do we go for the blood draw?" I asked abruptly, eager to move past this uncomfortable moment.

"Let's get this over with," I said.

A nurse in light blue scrubs approached our group.

"Ms. Lane? If you'll follow me, we're all set up for your blood draw."

Her cheerful professionalism felt oddly out of place amid our emotional tension.

I nodded and followed her, grateful for the interruption.

We were led to a private room where a nurse explained the procedure.

As she prepared the materials for the blood draw, I noticed how both Cole brothers kept glancing at me when they thought I wasn't looking.

Their expressions had changed from polite interest to something deeper, more personal.

It made my skin prickle with unease.

After the samples were collected from both Ethan and me, we were directed to a waiting area.

The hospital's antiseptic smell made my stomach churn, or maybe it was just nerves.

"They said it'll be about an hour with the priority processing," Clara explained, settling into a chair across from me.

I nodded, then decided to address the elephant in the room.

"So what happened with my hair sample yesterday?"

Clara's cheeks flushed. "There was a problem with the... processing."

"It got lost," Ethan added quickly.

*Liars*, I thought, but kept my face neutral.

Clara had always been terrible at hiding the truth—her expressive face betrayed everything she tried to conceal.

If the sample had simply been lost, she would have just said so directly.

This awkward, fumbling explanation could only mean one thing: Daisy Cole was involved somehow.

But I decided not to press the issue. Let them keep their family drama to themselves.

"If the test confirms what we think," Ethan said carefully, "would you be willing to... reconnect with the Cole family?"

I studied him for a moment, noting the hopeful glint in his eyes.

"I came here for clarity, Mr. Cole. Not to make promises."

A flash of disappointment crossed Ethan's face, his shoulders dropping slightly.

I felt a twinge of sympathy but remained firm.

Everyone wanted answers—including me—and I was willing to provide them, but I wouldn't let myself be swept into emotional commitments I wasn't ready for.

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.

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."

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 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."

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?"

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?"

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.