Ben used to spend nights cursing his luck, loud enough for the stars to hear. It wasn''t just him; everyone who knew him thought he drew the short straw in life.


    He''d thrown every insult in the book at the heavens, each more colorful than thest.


    But that night, he did aplete 180. He apologized to the man upstairs, even begged for a slice of happiness, just this once.


    The next morning, around 10:30, the wait was over.


    Benjamin stared at hisputer screen for a moment before turning to Tarquin, "You want to take a guess? Is this the paternity test for Elijah and his mom?"


    Tarquin frowned, "We got results?"


    Benjamin was worried. The results were in, but he hadn''t printed them yet. Even without paper in hand, he knew.


    He also knew Tarquin had fallen hard for Elysia. Now, with Elijah''s mom potentially back in the picture, what was Tarquin to do?


    "Out with it!" Tarquin''s voice was sharp.


    Benjamin jumped, "Yes, we got them. It''s a match. Mother and son!"


    Tarquin froze, his expression flipping like a switch!


    Benjamin could only tell he was shocked, but couldn''t decipher if it was good shock or bad. But judging by his friend''s recent infatuation with Elysia, this revtion was bound to sting.


    "Ha!" Tarquin''sugh broke the tension.


    Benjamin shivered. Had the news knocked him loopy?


    But Tarquin''sughter grew louder, carefree and triumphant, as if he''d won the lottery.


    Benjamin was puzzled. Was Tarquin genuinely ecstatic, or had sorrow driven him to madness?


    Before Benjamin could ponder further, another reportnded on his desk.


    "Dr. Benjamin, the DNA results confirm a maternal match."


    "Got it, thanks. You can leave now."


    Benjamin nced at the report, about to share the news with Tarquin when-wham! A punchnded on his chest, knocking the wind out of him. Clutching his chest, Benjamin gasped, "What the heck, man?!"


    Tarquin was beaming, unable to contain his joy, looking like the luckiest man alive.


    "The big guy upstairs has finally cut me some ck, haha! No more bad-mouthing him. From now on, he''s my guardian angel. Anyone dares to speak ill of him will have me to answer to!"


    Benjamin was lost. What was going on?


    Tarquin''s excitement bubbled over. "I''m going to pour money into the Lawson family''s hospital. Need a billion? Just say the word. I''m feeling generous today!"


    Benjamin''s eyes widened. Was this for real?


    Dealing in billions?


    Seeing Tarquin genuinely happy, Benjamin finally rxed, but before he could speak, Tarquin kicked him, hard.


    Benjamin doubled over, "Dude, are you trying to kill me?!"


    Tarquin shot back, "If it weren''t my lucky day, I might have! Last time, you screwed up the paternity test, telling me they weren''t rted!


    Made me jump through hoops, nearly lost my girl over it! Consider that kick a lesson. Next time, get it right!"


    With that, Tarquin grabbed the report and strutted out, looking like a kid on Christmas morning.


    Even greeted Benjamin''s assistant with a merry, "Guess who Elijah''s mom is? An angel!"