Chapter 1: Three Children, None of Them Biologically His

August.

Harmony General Hospital of Crestwood City Inpatient Department.

Outside the window, dark clouds gathered, creating a terrifying and ominous atmosphere.

Chad Anderson, with a scruffy face and bloodshot eyes, glanced at the electrocardiogram machine before fixing his gaze on the face of the elderly man lying in the hospital bed.

That man was his father, Robert Anderson.

Raised by doing odd jobs, wiping away his father's feces and urine, Chad's face now displayed the wear and tear of hardships.

Years had etched numerous wrinkles and spots on his face, hunched his back, and turned his hair white.

Chad blamed himself for being an unfilial son.

At this age, his father should be enjoying his retirement, but instead, he was living alone in a rented room.

Every day, he survived on simple rice porridge with pickled vegetables, collecting cardboard boxes and plastic bottles to sell and support his meager existence.

Thinking about this, tears welled up in Chad's eyes.

If only it were just that, it would be bearable.

However, a month ago, his peaceful life took a drastic turn.

Chad's gaze gradually blurred with tears.

A month ago, on a similarly gloomy day, he had finished his work for the day, wearing a yellow delivery uniform, munching on a piece of bread, planning to make some extra money delivering takeout.

No choice.

With three children at home, all girls, the expenses required a substantial income.

In addition, his wife, Vanessa Anderson, loved dressing up, and his monthly salary of just over five thousand dollars was simply not enough.

Typically, Chad would work until around 2 a.m. every night.

This way, delivering takeout could bring in over two thousand dollars a month, totaling around six thousand dollars in income, just enough to cover the household expenses.

Unfortunately, his luck took a bad turn that day.

On his second delivery, he was hit by a car, injuring his leg and delaying the delivery.

However, after some negotiation, Chad was quite pleased.

After all, the driver responsible for the accident was generous and compensated him with ten thousand dollars on the spot.

Chad decided on the spot to reward himself with half a month off to rest at home.

For this occasion, he even bought Vanessa's favorite dragon fruit.

The children were staying at their grandmother's house, providing the perfect opportunity for some quality time with his wife.

But upon opening the door, he heard an unbelievable sound.

From the entrance to the bedroom, clothes were scattered haphazardly on the floor.

In that moment, Chad's head exploded with shock.

He tiptoed cautiously to the bedroom door, and the gruesome scene unfolded before him.

Vanessa, had an affair!

At that moment, Chad didn't know what he was thinking. He raised his phone and took a few hasty photos, then quietly stepped out of the house, gently closing the door.

Once in the hallway, he lit a cigarette and only then realized that his hands were trembling.

For the next two days, Chad was in a daze.

He routinely left for work before dawn and returned around 2 a.m.

He didn't mention the car accident and his injury to Vanessa, and she didn't ask.

Chad realized that since the birth of the youngest child, his only communication with his wife was about money.

How pathetic?

But for the sake of the children, he couldn't confront Vanessa.

The oldest, Olivia Anderson, had just started middle school, and the youngest, Sophia Anderson, was only 3 years old.

They couldn't grow up in a broken family; it would affect their entire lives.

Thinking of his adorable daughters, on the third day, Chad finally managed to calm down and decided to have a serious talk with Vanessa.

However, during lunch that day, the topic of paternity testing came up in the office.

It was a popular reality show in the country.

Chad had occasionally seen it while waiting for orders.

It involved men suspecting that their children were not biologically theirs, engaging in verbal battles on the show, and finally revealing the DNA test results—a mix of humor and seriousness.

Previously, Chad would smile at such shows, thinking that some people just liked to play around.

But that lunchtime, his colleagues' casual conversation planted a seed in his mind.

Chad discreetly went to the restroom, retrieved a photo of Sophia, and couldn't shake off the feeling that she didn't resemble him.

Uncertain of when Vanessa started the affair, if Sophia wasn't his biological child...

Once the seed of doubt was planted, it grew into a towering tree within days.

From suspecting Sophia, he moved on to doubting Emily, and then Olivia.

Chad felt like he was losing his mind.

But he believed in science!

That night, when he returned as usual in the early hours, he deliberately plucked some hair from each of his daughters and packed them in a bag.

He took a leave and went to a reputable institution in Shanghai for paternity testing.

A week of anxious waiting, and when the results were delivered to his workplace, Chad felt a sudden resistance.

He stuffed the documents into a drawer, resisting the urge to open the Pandora's box.

Unfortunately, his colleague Grace accidentally discovered it while looking for documents.

When Chad returned from the restroom, he felt the sympathetic gazes of his colleagues.

Grace had a remorseful expression.

"Sorry, Chad. I didn't mean to see it. I was just looking for the file in your drawer, and then..."

"I'm really sorry! I was so surprised, and I just can't apologize enough!"

She sighed, "None of the three are your children, right? Chad, you're really in a tough spot."

Chad was struck like lightning.

None of the three?!!

He rushed over and pulled out the test report, flipping to the last page.

When he saw the conclusion, it felt like all the strength drained out of him, and he collapsed weakly.

Probably due to his intense anger, he didn't even attend his shift; he went home immediately to confront Vanessa.

Furious, he demanded a divorce, but Vanessa refused.

Chad didn't care whether she agreed or not.

He left and sought legal help, filing a lawsuit.

In any case, he would not raise those three children who were not biologically his.

As for Vanessa, sparing her life was already generous.

Unfortunately, this upheaval had drained him of all his courage.