It's All Relative(116)

As Kai fumed, he watched all of the blood drain from Mason’s face. He grew so pale that Kai was a little worried he’d pass out. Under his breath, he heard Mason mutter, “Oh God…you don’t know.” Then Mason’s expression completely changed. Clearing his throat, he steepled his fingers and calmly asked, “I’m sorry, what did you want to talk to me about, Kai?”

Kai wasn’t an idiot, and he wasn’t about to be deterred by such a lame attempt at diversion. Like any well-trained researcher, he was going to follow the evidence until he got his answer. What the hell was going on here? “What does my dad want me to know, that you’re supposed to tell me?”

All the rigidness left Mason, and he seemed to melt into his chair. His face was the picture of defeat. And remorse. “I am so sorry that you have to find out this way, Kai. I truly am. I need you to know that.”

Not sure how much more of this Kai could take, he grit his jaw and spat, “Find out what?”

Closing his eyes, Mason let out a long sigh. “Just over twenty-three years ago, your mother and I fell madly in love. Much to my later regret, we…carried out an illicit affair behind Nate’s back.” As Mason opened his eyes, Kai’s heart started racing, and he suddenly didn’t want to hear anymore. Mason wasn’t about to stop now though. “While we were together, Leilani became pregnant.” His hands splayed out to indicate Kai. “You are the result of our union,” he whispered.

Kai shot up out of his chair. No. That was not true. He was not saying that Kai was…that Mason was…no.

While Kai shook his head in disbelief, Mason stood at his desk. Slowly walking around it, he quietly said, “I am your biological father, Kai. That is what Nate wanted you to know.”

The world started shifting, spinning on its axis in a different direction. Lights darkened, and all Kai knew for sure was that he needed to get out of here before everything imploded. He started backing up, away from Mason, this complete stranger…who was nothing to him. Nothing! “No…you’re demented.” He pointed a shaking finger at Mason. “Nate Harper is my father!”

Mason took small steps toward him, palms beseeching. “Not by blood, Kai.” Kai backed up until he hit the door; he was still shaking his head. Mason sighed. “I know this is hard to accept. I only recently found out myself. But it’s true, Kai. Genetically, I am your father.”

Pressing flat against the door, feeling like it was the only thing holding him up, Kai whispered, “No…there’s been some mistake…”

With a sad smile on his face, Mason put a hand on Kai’s shoulder. Kai flinched away from his touch, and Mason dropped his fingers. “I thought so too at first, Kai. But Nate had you tested when you were younger.” Mason shook his head. “I’m sorry, but you’re not his. And to the best of my knowledge, that leaves only me.”

Kai opened his mouth to protest, then he shut it. Arguing without proof on either side was pointless. And what he’d just said, struck a chord and opened a painful memory. His gaze drifted to the floor. “When I was younger…” When he looked back up to Mason, moisture was heavy in his eyes. “Is that why my parents got divorced? He found out the truth?”

Mason paused, then nodded. “Yes. He couldn’t forgive her for what she’d…for what we had done. But know that her love for you never faltered, Kai. And…if it makes any of this easier for you…you were conceived with a great depth of love, on both sides.” His hand once again reached out for Kai, but dropped before connecting.

Kai let his head rest against the door behind him. He was shaking. He couldn’t stop the reaction. Everything he’d known, everything he’d believed…was a lie. Quiet filled the room, and when Mason spoke again, his voice was thick with emotion.

“I didn’t want to tell you this, Kai. Honestly, at first, I didn’t even want to be bothered with it.” Kai’s gaze snapped to Mason’s, and he shrugged. “I’ve spent the bulk of my life alone. I know nothing about kids, and I have no clue how to be a father. My work is my life…and I like it that way.” He smiled warmly at Kai, and Kai could again see tears brewing in the older man’s eyes. “But meeting you, working with you. Seeing your passion and integrity…I have grown to deeply respect and admire you, Kai, and I would be proud to call you son.” His voice broke after he squeezed that out.

Kai blinked, and a tear almost escaped his eye. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Up was down, down was up. “But you hate me,” he whispered.

Now Mason blinked. He took a step toward Kai, but again stopped himself from touching him. “Oh, no, I never hated you, Kai.” He shrugged. “You were just…thrust on me, and I didn’t know how to deal with the…situation.” Looking down at the floor, he sighed. “I had a hard time dealing with what I had been asked to do. I knew it would change you, hurt you, and regardless of what I’ve done in my past…I’m not a cruel man.” Mason returned his gaze to Kai. The regret in his eyes was clear. “I was torn, but I never blamed you or hated you. Ever. I’m sorry if I made you feel that way. It was not my intention.” Smiling he added, “You’re an incredible asset here. Improbable as it sounds, I hope you stay.”

Kai couldn’t even ponder the possibility of staying. He couldn’t ponder much of anything at the moment. His entire world was wisp and smoke, intangible. “I don’t believe this…” His hands came up to run through his hair, then an idea struck him. He pushed away from the door. “Did you see the test results?”