Chapter 1770:


    “It speaks well of your family that you protect your own,” he said, meeting her eyes evenly. “Though that kind of loyalty isn’t always the wisest course.” He let out a low, measuredugh. “Some people simply aren’t worth the effort of shielding. I hope you bear that in mind. I’m not referring to Gillian or Adide, of course.”


    The meaning beneath his words was deliberate. Christina received it with a faint smile. “Thank you for the warning. I’ll be careful.”


    She suspected he was referring to the person the Wade family had ced close to her, and she had already begun raising her defenses ordingly. Henrik held her gaze for a moment with a look that suggested he understood perfectly, then said nothing more.


    He moved to the bedside and settled into the chair beside Adide, his whole manner shifting as warmth spread quietly across his face.


    “Adide, tell me what you’d like to eat. I’ll go and get it for you,” he said, his voice softening into something almost coaxing.


    Christina noticed the change in his tone and let it register withoutment. She recalled that he had been naturally gentle around children from the very first time they’d met, and told herself that was likely all it was.


    She remained where she was and listened as he spoke with Adide.


    Gillian returned shortly after, the doctor at her side. The examination was thorough, and the doctor walked them through everything they needed to watch for during the recovery period. Christina observed that Henrik was paying closer attention than almost anyone else in the room — tapping notes quietly into his phone, his focus unbroken.


    The behavior no longer read as casual goodwill. His concern for Adide had a particr quality to it — something that went well beyond the interest a kind stranger might take in a sick child, or even what someone might show out of loyalty to a family member who had feelings for the child’s mother.


    Christina’s brow drew together slowly as the thought she had been resisting finally took shape. Could Adide be Alban’s daughter?


    It sounded improbable. And yet it was the only exnation that ounted for everything she was seeing — the frequency of Henrik’s visits, the emotional weight behind his reactions, the way he watched Adide when he thought no one was paying attention. He looked at her the way a great-grandfather looks at a child he already considers his own.


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    The more Christina observed, the clearer it became that he was working to conceal that attachment. Which meant he already knew. The Martels had almost certainly run a paternity test and had their confirmation.


    With that understanding, every piece of his behavior fell neatly into ce.


    She said nothing. There was no reason to confront Henrik directly — not yet. She was curious to see how the Martels intended to proceed, and more than that, she wanted to be present when Gillian learned the truth.


    Night settled over the hospital. Adide had drifted back to sleep, and Christina and Gillian kept their quiet vigil beside her.


    “I’ll stay up tonight,” Christina said. “You should lie down and rest.”


    “Miss Jones, please — you rest. I can manage,” Gillian said, difort clear in her voice at the thought of putting Christina out any further.


    “If Adide’s condition changes during the night, you won’t be able to handle it alone,” Christina said, her tone gentle but leaving no room for debate. “Sleep.”


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