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longer in contact with him. Su-Min told us Mi Hi actually wanted
to keep the baby but couldn’t because of their father.
    Together, the two women
decided to hide the pregnancy from him, claiming Mi Hi had it
aborted. When the baby came close to full term, Su-Min suggested
adoption. She knew of a few unwed mothers who sought that
option.”
    I leaned my chin on his
shoulder, drawing in even closer after the words. How close he’d
been to not being here. God bless his aunt. She aided his mother in
keeping him safe. I couldn’t be more grateful. His mother did such
a brave thing. She went against everything to make sure he was not
only protected, but had a good home. She gave him the ultimate
gift. Did something completely selfless.
    Drake let out a breath,
his face wiped free of any remnants of worry. Relief flooded me by
his side. The days here had been so stressful, but now a strong
hope arrived in bounds.
    Drake closed his eyes just
briefly, and when he opened them he was smiling.
    “So what’s next?” he asked
Hana.
    “Now, we do a paternity
test. Mi Hi was out of town for the last few days. Visiting a sick
relative. Su-Min informed us she’d be back this evening. We will
present the test to her. If all is a go, and both parties are
willing, we will set up a meeting.”
    A meeting. Wow. This was
really happening.
    Hana folded her fingers on
her desk. “Are you willing to continue the process,
Drake?”
    He said only two words: “I
am.”
     

Chapter Twelve

    It was very much a waiting game after that.
Waiting for the results of the paternity test to come through, then
waiting for the confirmation of the meeting. We only had a few more
days before we were scheduled to come home, but after hearing the
situation, Drake’s mom said she could get the dates on our tickets
changed. Hopefully it wouldn’t have to come to that, but if it did,
we had a back up plan.
    Drake was going through his adoption records
once again on the couch while I read a book in his lap when the
number of the agency appeared on his phone. A pin drop could be
heard in the room as we stared at the lit screen. We unwrapped from
around each other, and Drake placed the phone face up on coffee
table. I once again got the camera ready.
    “Hello, Drake,” came Hana’s voice through
the phone.
    I couldn’t tell if her voice was happy or
not. Her voice was only calm, content.
    After Drake and I greeted her, she spoke
again.
    “We successfully completely the paternity
test, and I wanted to let you know right away what the results
were...”
    Our hands in each other’s tightened. This
time, I knew it was because of him.
    “You are the biological son of Kang Mi Hi
with a ninety-nine point three percent accuracy.”
    He closed his eyes, and I rubbed his back,
whispering in her ear. “You found her, Drake. You found her.”
    He turned to me. “In a way, I guess she
found me.”
    “Unfortunately, Drake, I have some not so
pleasant news.”
    He faced the screen.
    “It seems that Mi Hi has declined a meeting
at this time. I’m very sorry.”
     

Chapter Thirteen

    Drake was so restless that night, tossing
and turning during his sleep. Even if he wasn’t, I wouldn’t have
been able to sleep myself. Instead of resting, I decided to use my
night to soothe him. I stroked his hair, kissing him occasionally.
Doing so allowed him longer periods of sleep. He wasn’t as restless
and would sleep in increments of at least an hour instead of a few
minutes.
    I couldn’t be more confused by what happened
today. When I learned that Drake’s mother wanted to keep him,
fought so hard to make sure he lived and got a better life because
she knew she couldn’t, I assumed she’d want to meet him. That she’d
want to see how he was. Discover the man he turned out to be. But
for some reason she didn’t want to see him. Why bother going
through the paternity test at all? Why make sure she was his only
to deny him? I could only gather the situation wasn’t as