Big Novel

Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

The press conference descended into chaos. The air was filled with the attendees' gasps and discussions about the surprise reveal.
"Is that the paternity test result for Javier and Betty Beckett? Is she not his daughter? This is straight out of a telenovela! I didn't see this coming."
"Not long ago, Javier Beckett was defending Betty. Now, it's revealed that she is not his daughter. It feels so surreal!"
"Look at his face. He looks like he has just eaten poop. I bet he has just found out about the truth."
"I would have killed myself if I found out the daughter I raised for 20 years was not mine."
"He was in the dark when Sophia Kirkman killed his beloved wife. He remained clueless when he was cuckolded for years. What's wrong with him?"
"Probably blinded by love, eh? I'm surprised he could keep that crazy woman, Sophia Kirkman, around for years. He most certainly has... unusual patience."
The mocking and disdainful remarks attacked Javier. He stared vacantly at the result on the screen as all color drained from his previously smug face.
He rubbed his eyes hard, but the writing remained the same. The fact that he was excluded as Betty's biological father plagued him. He replayed it over and over in his mind.
"Mr. Javier!" Neil ran over in panic. "I tried turning off the screen, but it wouldn't work! I'm sure someone is behind this. We need to stop the conference as soon as possible. From what I've heard, the entrance and exit of the hotel were swarmed by other media who caught wind of the news.
"I've dispatched security to handle the media. You must leave now!"
"Is Betty not my daughter? Is the paternity test result genuine?" Javier fixed his bloodshot eyes on the screen. No matter how Neil tugged at him, he would not move, as he was numbed and in shock.
"The authenticity doesn't matter. You cannot publicly admit that Ms. Betty isn't your daughter, or the statement will leave a stain on your name. You need to keep this to yourself, even if it's unpalatable. It's still better than becoming a laughingstock forever!"
Javier acknowledged Neil's solution as his best option for the time being. Feigning indignation, Javier turned around to address the media. "Someone is trying to slander the Beckett family. The paternity test result is fake. I urge everyone not to fall for it!" "Is that so?" Jasper squinted at his dad. "Javier, how could you choose to defend Betty at this moment? She is not even related to us. Are you really going to tolerate being cheated on by Sophia, just to protect your pride?"
With that, Jasper raised the test result in the air, displaying it to the watching eyes. He stated, "So, the paternity test result on the screen is fake, huh? Well, the result in my hand is authentic! Betty is definitely not your daughter. She is not a Beckett!"
In the next moment, he tossed the papers onto Javier's pale face. What Jasper had done was parade him naked in front of the world, turning him into a joke.
In the middle of his messy thoughts, he recalled the moment from years ago, when Sophia showed up at his place heavily pregnant and crying pitifully as she confessed how much she had missed him. She also lamented all the difficulties she had faced during the pregnancy.
"Javier, I'm pregnant with your child. You can dump me if you want, but how could you abandon your flesh and blood?"

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