A mother's instinct was flaring up fiercely in this woman over thirty.
Ariana's expression softened, almost melting—yes, her heart was truly melting from how adorable this child was. How could a child possibly be this cute?!
Ariana suddenly shook her head hard and returned to her senses.
The angel on her shoulder whispered that this child was precious, but the devil stabbed her with a sharp reminder: she looked exactly like her artist and was currently asleep in his arms!
What did that mean—what did it mean?!
Adonis spoke softly, "You need to let me explain."
Ariana frowned slightly. "Can't you take the child back to his room first and then talk?"
Even though they whispered, Ariana feared the baby might wake up.
Adonis could feel Ariana's concern for the child and couldn't help furrowing his brow a little as he said, "I tried, but it didn't work."
The moment he moved just a meter away, the baby started stirring and looked like it would wake up. It seemed the only place he could sleep soundly was in Adonis's arms.
When I think of it, they did have some similarities.
But there was one thing Adonis was sure of—he was not this child's father!
Adonis said firmly, "I'm not the father."
Ariana looked at him with eyes full of doubt and reproach as if he were the worst man alive. "I'm telling you, if you take this baby for a DNA test, the doctor's gonna kick you out of the hospital."
Adonis: "…Do you remember the egg from this morning? He hatched from that egg."
Ariana raised a hand to silence him. "If you can't raise this baby, I absolutely can. The only thing I'm missing at my age is a child."
She decided so quickly and decisively that it was as if she didn't need to consider it.
At that moment, to Adonis, Ariana looked like a wolf eyeing his son.
No—this child wasn't his son.
Adonis said thoughtfully, "Take these two hair samples for a DNA test. I need to know the result as soon as possible."
After a moment of thought, he handed her two small zip bags and added, "Oh right—get some essential supplies for a baby while you're at it."
Ariana narrowed her eyes. "The child isn't yours?"
Adonis wanted to say "no," but looking at just how alike they were, he felt like any denial was utterly pointless. He could only say, "I've never even had a girlfriend."
Ariana wasn't sure if she believed him, but she quickly accepted the situation and stood up. "I'll have Rowan bring all the supplies to your villa tomorrow. One more thing—if the test results show the child is yours, then what? What are you going to do? How will you tell the public?"
Adonis narrowed his eyes and replied calmly, "If he is my child, then I'll announce it publicly. Do you think I need to worry about something like that at my level?"
So arrogant—but Adonis could back it up. Ariana was speechless.
As he spoke, Adonis gently stroked the child's soft hair. The sleeping baby seemed to feel it, smiling faintly and nudging his head closer to Adonis's palm.
Adonis stared blankly for a moment, the softness and sweetness in his hand foreign and unfamiliar.
"No matter what… this child will stay by my side."
Adonis said slowly.
And Ariana knew—he meant every word.
Once Ariana left the villa, Adonis finally stood and carried the child back to the room.
He realized this child loved sleeping. One second he was laughing in his arms, the next he was fast asleep again.
Lying on his side, Adonis gazed at the child's sleeping face. There was no doubt—this kid was way cuter than he had ever been as a child.
"Little bun," Adonis said softly, his fingertip brushing against one chubby cheek of the child.
"Pa…"
The child suddenly lifted the corners of his mouth in a smile and instinctively raised his tiny hand to grab Adonis's finger.
"Pa... pa..."
The small but clear voice rang out, leaving Adonis momentarily stunned.
His eyes shifted slightly, something unfamiliar rising within him—it felt strange, almost warm, almost stinging. At that moment, the emptiness in his heart seemed to fill up. A wave of indescribable happiness surged in him like he had found something precious he'd lost long ago.
"Papa's here."
Adonis whispered gently and leaned in, placing a soft kiss on the child's forehead. Joshua's face lit up with a blissful, contented smile as if he recognized the familiar touch.
Adonis noticed that after he kissed the baby's forehead, the child could sleep without needing him nearby. Rowan had also delivered all the baby supplies to the villa in record time. Not daring to disturb Adonis, Rowan had left immediately after completing the delivery.
Adonis looked at the pile of diapers, baby clothes, toys, bottles, and even guidebooks.
[First-Time Dad's Handbook]
[Single Father Survival Guide: A to Z Parenting]
…
Adonis stared at the book titles, momentarily speechless, but ultimately resigned to his fate and began reading.
By the afternoon, the child still hadn't woken up. Adonis couldn't help but frown and walk into the room to check again.
The baby was still fast asleep, with no signs of waking. If his chest weren't steadily rising and falling, his expression didn't look so peaceful, and his body temperature weren't completely normal, Adonis would've called emergency services immediately.
Still, he couldn't let the kid sleep forever—oversleeping wasn't good either.
With that thought, Adonis stepped closer and gently tapped the baby's cheek. "Wake up now—it's almost dinner time."
The child squirmed a little but, clung to Adonis's hand even tighter instead of pulling away—like a tiny koala bear.
When Adonis realized this, a smile tugged at his lips.
Almost reflexively, Adonis touched the corner of his mouth, then quickly schooled his expression to seriousness. He gently patted the baby's bottom and said sternly, "No more cuddling—up you get."
"Papa!"
The child's eyes snapped open. His sweet voice burst out like a puff of cotton, and his big, round eyes sparkled with joy as he looked up at Adonis. There wasn't a trace left of the "fierce little thing" he had been when he was still an egg.
Despite his best efforts, the corners of Adonis's mouth twitched upward again.
He scooped up the baby and walked toward the bathroom.
Amazingly, the child hadn't wet himself even after sleeping so long.
Then again, this baby did hatch from an egg—at this point, Adonis wouldn't be surprised by anything.
Not long after they came out of the bathroom, the phone suddenly rang. Ariana's name was flashing on the screen.
Adonis could already guess what the call was about—the DNA test results must be in…
He looked toward the baby, who was now cheerfully rolling around in a towel, then pressed the answer button.
Even though he was almost certain the child couldn't possibly be his, a flicker of uncertainty stirred in his heart at that moment.
And strangely, if the test said the child wasn't his… he might feel disappointed.
"Adonis, the test results are in."
Ariana's voice came through the phone like a judge passing a sentence.