While Hayk was trying to figure out how to calm the child, Anna appeared in a determined mood. When she laid out the items, she had brought on the table beside him, her intentions became clear.
— Are you saying you decided to… — Hayk began, but Anna cut him off.
— Why not, — she replied firmly, putting on sterile gloves. — I'm sorry, dear.
Anna carefully inserted a sterile swab into the child's mouth. After a few gentle movements, she removed it and placed it into a sterile container.
— Anna, do you think this child is mine? — Hayk asked, but before he could finish, Anna skillfully inserted the swab into his mouth and, this time less gently, took a sample.
— I don't think so, — she said, holding both samples. — But we'll find out soon.
— Is something wrong? — Hayk asked, noticing her serious expression.
— I need to clarify a few things, — Anna replied evasively.
— That look on your face doesn't promise anything good, — Hayk said.
— It's not that simple yet, — she answered, heading for the door. — Don't stay here too long. I'll call you when everything becomes clear.
— Anna, don't leave me alone with him! — Hayk called after her, but she didn't turn back.
Hayk was left alone with the child again, and this time he faced a real problem. The baby's expression slowly changed: he frowned… for a few seconds they looked at each other… and then the baby began to cry.
To say that Hayk panicked would be an understatement. He simply didn't know what to do — perhaps for the first time in his life.
Fortunately, it didn't last long. Soon, he noticed the child's grandmother coming out of the hospital room. By then, Hayk had already been pacing the corridor in panic, and he hurried toward her with visible relief.
— Thank you for staying with the child, — she said, taking the baby into her arms.
— It's nothing, — Hayk replied.
— I'm sorry if he scared you. He's just not used to strangers.
Hayk said nothing, but felt a strange heaviness inside.
— We should go. The doctor said Arevik won't wake up until morning, so there's no need to stay. The baby also needs rest.
— Goodbye, — Hayk said with difficulty.
He stood there for a long time, watching the child being carried away. The baby kept looking at him — just like before. That strange feeling wouldn't let go of him. The warmth he had felt while holding the child slowly faded, and the word strangers echoed in his mind, touching something deep inside him.
His phone rang.
— Are you still at the hospital? — Anna asked.
— What did you find out? — Hayk replied sharply.
— Did something happen? — she asked, hearing the tension in his voice.
— I want to know what's going on.
— Give me two hours.
— Fine. We'll meet at the office.
When Hayk returned home, he was still in a heavy emotional state. He stood motionless in the middle of his apartment, looking around. He had lived there for years, but today it felt unusually empty.
Standing under the shower, he replayed everything in his mind: Arevik unconscious in the forest… the moment he thought she wasn't breathing… and the child.
He closed his eyes — and saw it again.
The child moving away from him… looking straight at him.
— I don't understand why it affected me so much… being called a stranger… — he said out loud.
The phone rang again.
— I'll be there in thirty minutes.
When Hayk entered Anna's office, she was already there.
He looked at her impatiently. Anna was trying to stay calm, but she was nervous too.
— Anna? — he said, as if demanding answers.
She didn't respond. Instead, she locked the door, walked to the window… and threw the key outside.
— What are you doing? — Hayk snapped. — Just tell me what's going on.
— This isn't about intrigue, — Anna said. — I'm trying to protect us from your impulsive actions.
— Please… just talk. My heart can't take this anymore.
— I have to start from the beginning.
— I'm calm.
— I heard something… some time ago.
— What?
— Meruzhan was terrorizing an employee. It got so bad the person collapsed at work and was hospitalized. But even then… he didn't stop. He kept pushing… and eventually fired them.
— And then?
— Do you remember Arevik's transfer? After she came back, he insisted on moving her to another department.
— What are you trying to say?..
— The name of that employee…
— Don't say it… — Hayk whispered.
— You need to hear it.
She took a breath.
— It was Arevik.
Hayk covered his mouth to stop himself from screaming. His breathing turned heavy and uneven. He staggered back and collapsed into the chair, hiding his face in his hands, shaking his head.
— Hayk?.. — Anna said softly.
— Do you understand what happened?! — he shouted.
— I do…
— Do you understand how she suffered?!
— Hayk… the child is yours.
Silence.
— What did you say?..
— The child is yours. Arevik went through treatment for a long time… That's why she never contacted us.
— Open the door. I need to go.
— That's not a good idea.
— If you don't, I'll break it down.
— Calm down!
— I can't! … I left her alone… in that suffering…
— You can still fix things.
— I don't know how… I'm desperate.
— Don't lose hope.
— Everything is mixed up inside me… I'm angry at myself. Because of my pride… I didn't care in time. And now… I feel guilty.
He paused.
Then his expression hardened.
— And I'm angry at Meruzhan. I want to beat him.
Anna gave a faint smile.
— I do too. But I have a better idea.
— What?
— We'll use this against him. Legally.
— I'll take care of it.
— No. I will. You need to calm down.
— So I just wait?
— You think about Arevik… and your child.
Hayk froze.
They were already a family.
— Do you think she'll forgive me?..
— She's smart.
— Call security.
— No need. I have a spare key.
The door opened.
— What are you going to do?
— I'm going to the hospital. I want to be there when she wakes up.
— I'll handle everything else.
— Thank you.
— No need… I'm guilty too.
— It's been a long day…
— Goodbye.
She turned away.
Hayk walked out.
He was on his way to the hospital.