Chapter 2: The Second Phone
Darius didn't open it.
Not yet.
His thumb remained suspended over the glowing screen while Simone stood across from him, chest rising and falling rapidly.
Nobody at the table spoke.
The music continued playing softly from the speakers, almost offensively cheerful against the silence.
Nia tugged at Darius’s jacket.
“Daddy?””
He looked down.
“Yeah, baby?””
“Did I do something bad?””
Darius’s expression softened.
“No.””
“But Simone said not to tell.””
“I know.””
Nia glanced at Simone.
“Am I in trouble?””
Simone shook her head immediately.
“No, sweetheart.””
Darius noticed something strange.
Simone wasn't looking at Nia.
She was staring at the phone.
At the message.
At the words that hadn't been opened yet.
He turned toward her.
“You knew this was coming.””
Simone wiped beneath one eye.
“I knew something might come through.””
“Something?””
“I can explain.””
“Then explain.””
She opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Darius gave a short, humorless laugh.
“That's what I thought.””
A family member near the end of the table finally spoke.
“Darius, maybe you two should talk privately.””
He didn't take his eyes off Simone.
“No.””
Simone whispered, “Please.””
“No.””
He held up the phone.
“You brought a second phone into my house.””
“It isn't mine.””
Darius stared at her.
Nia suddenly spoke.
“It was in Mommy's drawer.””
Simone closed her eyes.
Darius slowly turned back to the girl.
“Whose drawer?””
“Simone's.””
“Nia,” Simone said, “that's enough.””
Darius looked at her sharply.
“Don't tell her to stop.””
“She doesn't understand.””
“Then help me understand.””
Simone’s hand trembled against her belly.
“This isn't what you think.””
“That's what people say when it is exactly what I think.””
“Darius, listen to me.””
“I've been listening.””
He took another step closer.
“Every word.””
Simone lowered her voice.
“Not here.””
He glanced around at the guests.
His mother sat rigidly in her chair. His younger brother had stopped eating entirely. Two cousins stood near the windows, frozen with their phones still in their hands.
Darius looked back at Simone.
“Fine.””
He pointed toward the hallway.
“Five minutes. You and me.””
Simone hesitated.
Then Nia spoke again.
“But Daddy—”
Darius crouched beside her.
“Go sit with Aunt Renee.””
Nia frowned.
“But the phone—”
“I'll handle the phone.””
The girl nodded reluctantly.
As she walked away, Darius stood.
Simone whispered, “I never wanted you to find out like this.””
His eyes narrowed.
“Find out what?””
She didn't answer.
“What is on this phone?””
“Nothing that can be explained in front of everyone.””
“That isn't an answer.””
“It’s complicated.””
“Then start with something simple.””
Darius held up the phone.
“Why does a DNA laboratory have your number?””
Simone's face changed.
Just slightly.
But he saw it.
She knew the name.
He looked at the notification again.
*DNA RESULTS READY. DO NOT BRING DARIUS.*
“Who ordered the test?”” he asked.
Simone stared at the floor.
“Simone.””
She finally looked up.
“I did.””
Darius felt something cold settle in his stomach.
“You did a DNA test on our baby?””
She swallowed.
“Yes.””
“Without telling me?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Her eyes filled.
“I was scared.””
“Of me?””
“No.””
“Then of what?””
She stepped closer.
“I was trying to protect you.””
Darius almost laughed.
“Protect me from what?””
Before Simone could answer, the second phone vibrated again.
*BZZZT.*
Both of them looked down.
Another message.
This time, the sender's name appeared at the top.
Darius's face tightened.
He recognized the name.
Simone reached for the phone.
“No, Darius.””
He stepped backward.
“Who is Marcus?””
Simone froze.
Darius looked at her.
“You know him.””
Her silence was answer enough.
“Simone,” he said quietly, “who is Marcus?””
She whispered, “Please don't open that message.””
Darius stared at the screen.
Then he looked at his wife.
“Why?””
Simone's eyes filled with tears.
“Because once you read it, there is no going back.””
Darius's thumb moved toward the notification.
Then the front doorbell rang.
Everyone in the dining room turned.
A family member near the entrance looked through the glass.
His face drained of color.
“Darius…”
Darius didn't move.
“What?””
The man swallowed.
“There’s a man outside.””
Simone suddenly grabbed Darius's arm.
“Don't let him in.””
Darius looked at her hand.
Then at the front door.
May you like
Then back at the phone.
And for the first time that night, he wondered whether the man standing outside had come for the baby—or for Simone.
