Chapter 13: The Truth Behind the DNA
“She's yours.””
Vanessa's words seemed to drain the air from the room.
I gripped the phone so tightly my fingers hurt.
“Explain what you just said.””
“I can't do this over the phone.””
“You've spent years lying to me. You're going to explain it now.””
Vanessa started crying.
“Robert arranged everything. He wanted Elena to have a child, but he didn't want her to know the full truth.””
“What truth?””
“He used your genetic material.””
I stared at the photograph on the table.
“That's impossible. Daniel was the donor.””
“Daniel provided the original sample. But Robert substituted another one.””
My brother stepped closer.
“What?””
Vanessa continued.
“Your father believed Daniel was too unstable to be involved in raising a child. He wanted Elena to have a baby connected to the family, but he didn't want Daniel to have any legal claim.””
I shook my head.
“So he switched the samples?””
“Yes.””
“And Lily?””
“Lily came from a separate embryo. The clinic had preserved another sample. Robert arranged for a second transfer without Elena's full consent.””
My stomach twisted.
“Are you telling me Elena carried two children, one genetically mine and one genetically connected to Daniel?””
“No,” Vanessa whispered.
“Both children were genetically yours.””
I looked at Daniel.
He appeared stunned.
“Then why did Thomas show Lily a report saying I wasn't her father?””
Vanessa hesitated.
“Because Thomas changed the records. He needed Lily to believe she had no connection to you. Otherwise, she could have challenged the adoption and the trust.””
I paced across the room.
“And you helped him?””
“I was afraid.””
“You locked my daughter in a basement.””
“I know.””
“You stole her inheritance.””
“I know.””
“You let me believe my wife had only one child.””
Vanessa sobbed.
“I was trying to keep my daughters safe.””
“Your daughters?””
“Madison and Chloe. Robert promised me money if I kept quiet. He said Nia and Lily would inherit everything otherwise.””
I stopped.
“My father paid you?””
“He paid Thomas. Thomas paid me.””
“Why?””
“Because Robert knew the children would eventually uncover the truth.””
I looked at the original documents.
My father had created a family secret so complicated that everyone involved had become trapped inside it.
“Where is the original DNA report?”” I asked.
“Thomas has it.””
“Where?””
“I don't know.””
“Vanessa.””
“He keeps everything in a private office downtown. There's a safe behind the filing cabinet.””
I closed my eyes.
“Why are you telling me this now?””
“Because Thomas knows you're close. He called me tonight.””
“What did he say?””
“He said if you find Lily, he'll make sure neither girl gets a penny.””
I ended the call.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Daniel said, “We need to get Lily here.””
I nodded.
I called her immediately.
She answered with a cautious hello.
“Lily, there's something you need to know.””
“I've already heard enough lies.””
“I understand. But I have reason to believe Thomas falsified your DNA report.””
She went quiet.
“Why?””
“Because he wanted you to believe you had no connection to me.””
“Are you saying you're my father?””
“I believe I am.””
Her breathing became uneven.
“Then why did Elena leave me?””
I looked at the photograph of my wife.
“Because someone took you from her.””
I explained what Vanessa had told me.
When I finished, Lily was silent for a long time.
Then she asked, “Was I loved?””
I closed my eyes.
“More than you can imagine.””
“Then why did nobody come for me?””
“Your mother tried. My mother tried. My father interfered. And I failed to understand what was happening.””
Lily began to cry.
“I spent my whole life thinking I was unwanted.””
“You weren't.””
“I thought my mother gave me away.””
“She didn't.””
“I thought my father didn't want me.””
I swallowed.
“I didn't know you existed. But if I'd known, I would have come for you.””
She didn't answer.
Finally, she said, “I want to see the original records.””
“We'll get them.””
“And I want a DNA test.””
“Of course.””
“I want it done somewhere nobody can manipulate the results.””
“Agreed.””
Before we ended the call, she said something that changed the urgency of everything.
“Marcus, Thomas contacted me this morning. He said he was going to visit Nia.””
My blood ran cold.
“What?””
“He said he wanted to make peace with the family.””
I looked toward the stairs.
Nia was upstairs, getting ready for bed.
“Did he say when?””
“Tomorrow.””
I called Rachel.
“Get Nia's things. She's staying with you tonight.””
Rachel didn't ask questions.
Daniel grabbed his jacket.
“We're going to Thomas.””
“No,” I said.
“We're going to the police first.””
I gathered the medical files, the forged documents, the trust records, and my mother's notebook.
At the station, Detective Collins listened without interrupting.
When I finished, she examined the photograph of Vanessa holding the newborn.
“Do you have evidence Thomas altered these records?””
“Not yet.””
“Then we need the originals.””
I gave her Vanessa's statement and the address of Thomas's office.
She called another detective.
Within twenty minutes, a search warrant was being prepared.
But before we could leave, my phone rang.
It was Lily.
“Marcus?””
“What's wrong?””
“Someone is outside my apartment.””
I stood.
“Call the police.””
“I already did.””
“Stay inside.””
Then I heard a crash.
A man's voice shouted something in the background.
Lily screamed.
The call went dead.
I ran toward the exit.
Detective Collins grabbed my arm.
“Where are you going?””
“My daughter is in danger.””
She immediately ordered two officers to accompany me.
As we raced toward the car, another message appeared on my phone.
It was from Thomas.
*You should have left the past buried. Now both your daughters will pay for what Elena did.*
I looked at the message.
Then I called Daniel.
“Get to Lily's apartment. Don't go inside alone.””
He was already moving.
For the first time in twelve years, I understood what my father had been trying to protect.
Not the family name.
Not the inheritance.
May you like
The children.
And someone was still willing to destroy them to keep the truth hidden.
