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“Please call me Hope.” I take a deep breath before walking back to them. “So, what do you want to know?”
“Details about Ray’s father would be a good place to start.” Zach tilts his head to the side and his sharp gaze bores into me.
My heart pounds against my chest and I close my eyes. Memories of that unfortunate night claw on me, and for a second, I sift through the hazy memories. Can these men have any connection with my jaded past? I shake my head. No, this can’t be true, not after so many years. This is just a coincidence. I repeat the words in my head and swallow the uncomfortableness before giving Zach a pointed reply. “He is not in the picture. And that’s all you need to know of him.”
There’s a moment of silence before Zander leans forward. “Sorry, Hope, for intruding like this. But we would really like to know if he or his family is connected to us somehow.”
I notice Mom’s shoulders rising. I have the attention of everyone in the room. I close my eyes, and due to the dead quiet in the room, I can hear the muffled voice of Ray talking to Mr. Stanley in the bath.
I take a deep breath and collect all the courage I can. “I’m sorry, Zander. I can’t help you with that. I… I am not in contact and have no idea how to find him.” I shake my head mechanically.
“You can give us a name and we can take it from there.” Unlike his brothers, who look at me with kindness, Zach’s gaze is almost accusatory.
Apart from the fact that he has my boy’s face, I’m not liking him too much.
“I can’t.”
Hearing my clipped response, he sits up straight.Looks like he isn’t used to hearing no.
Then, tonight he’s going to be very upset. I get up from the chair before he can press for more.
“I really can’t. If that’s what you’re after, you can leave. There’s no point in hanging around because my answer isn’t going to change.”
“It’s-s okay, Hope. We’re alr-ready happy to meet R-ray.” Zane’s kind words complement his soothing voice.
Even though his brothers have dropped the discussion, Zach’s gaze remains narrowed on me. His expression is something between that of a petulant child and a grumpy man.
“Is it medically possible that there is no blood relation between Ray and Zach?” Zander asks Zane.
“You’re a doctor?” I’m surprised as they all look like rich businessmen.
Zane smiles before nodding. “I have a medical degr-ree and licens-se. But I d-don’t practice.” He then slightly turns toward his brother. “To answer you, Zander, s-sure. D-doppelgangers are accepted by s-science.”
Unlike his brothers, Zach is focused on Ray, who made an appearance in his jammies a few minutes ago and is now busy chatting with his new friend. “I have two best friends and Mr. Stanley,” Ray chirps, and I notice how Zach holds on to my son’s every word.
Dressed in an expensive suit, sitting next to my son, he looks so odd. Yet somehow, he seems to be completely at ease.
“I’m sure Mr. Stanley is on the top of the list.” Zach’s eyes dance when Ray bursts into laughter at his words.
“He is!” Ray squeals and I bring my hands closer to my chest, watching my son so happy. I’m taken by surprise as Ray, who is usually so shy in public, seems so comfortable around this man. My son has never had much of a male figure in his life, but tonight he is enjoying our unexpected company.
Zach and Ray continue their conversation about Ray’s attempt on building a doghouse for Mr. Stanley, while Zander and Zane ask Mom questions about our family history. Worry hits me intermittently about what truth will be discovered by these discussions. I just want Ray and Zach’s similar looks to be a coincidence.
Thankfully, we come up empty-handed in making any possible connection between us and them, the Teagers. I glance at the clock before turning to Ray. “Say good night to everyone, munchkin.” I get up and Ray slides next to me. “It’s bedtime for him.” I really need these men to leave now so that I can get back to work.
Taking my hint, Zander and Zane get up with a smile, but Zach takes his sweet time standing up.
“Good night, Your Highness and his brothers.” Ray bows again to the three men.
“You don’t have to do that for us.” Zander ruffles Ray’s hair. “And you can call me Zander and that’s Zane, and—”
“And I am Your Highness!” Zach smirks and the crooked smile, which pulls up his lips, makes him look ridiculously handsome. For a moment, I’m struck by his charm and beauty.
When his gaze lands on mine, I quickly look away.
“I have a son. His name is Alex. Maybe someday you can meet him,” Zander says before gently patting Ray’s cheeks.
My heart clenches watching my son with these three men, who lookperfect. They must have perfect lives, perfect families, perfect pasts, and a perfect future.
