Chapter 2: The Name on the Screen
For three seconds, Darius couldn't move.
The room remained frozen around him.
Nobody touched the food.
Nobody reached for a glass.
Even the music playing softly from the hidden speakers suddenly sounded wrong.
Simone stood less than two feet away, both hands pressed against her belly.
“Darius,” she said quietly, “please give me the phone.””
He looked at her.
“You knew about this.””
She shook her head.
“No.””
“You knew about the test.””
“No.””
“You knew there was a test.””
“I said no.””
Darius held up the phone.
“Then why did it say my name?””
Simone’s breathing became shallow.
“It didn't say your name.””
His eyes dropped to the screen.
“DO NOT BRING DARIUS.””
He looked back at her.
“That's pretty specific.””
A man at the far end of the table shifted uncomfortably.
Darius noticed.
“Everybody stay where you are.””
His voice wasn't loud.
It didn't need to be.
Nia stood beside him, staring at the phone.
“Daddy?””
Darius softened immediately.
“Yeah, baby?””
“Am I in trouble?””
“No.””
Simone closed her eyes.
Darius turned toward her.
“You used our daughter to hide a phone.””
“I didn't ask her to.””
Nia immediately spoke up.
“Yes, you did.””
Simone’s eyes snapped open.
“Nia.””
“You said it was our secret.””
“I said not to touch it.””
“You said Daddy couldn't see it.””
Simone looked like she'd been slapped.
Darius took another step toward her.
“Why?””
“Because I was scared.””
“Of what?””
“I don't know.””
“That isn't an answer.””
Simone looked around at the family.
“Can we do this somewhere private?””
“No.””
Her eyes widened.
“Darius.””
“You wanted a secret.””
He held up the phone.
“So let's stop pretending this is a normal celebration.””
Simone's jaw tightened.
“This is my family too.””
“Then tell your family the truth.””
Silence.
Darius glanced at the screen again.
The second notification remained partially visible.
*ABOUT THE BABY’S FATHER—*
He tapped it.
Simone grabbed his wrist.
“Don't.””
Darius looked down at her hand.
Slowly, she released him.
“Why are you stopping me?””
“Because you don't understand.””
“Then make me understand.””
“I can't.””
“You can't, or you won't?””
Simone’s eyes filled with tears.
She turned away.
Darius followed.
“Look at me.””
She didn't.
“Simone.””
Finally, she turned.
A tear slipped down her cheek.
“I love you.””
Darius stared at her.
“That's not what I asked.””
“I know.””
“Then answer me.””
She pressed a trembling hand against her stomach.
“You're going to hate me.””
Darius's expression hardened.
“Don't decide what I'm going to feel.””
“I know you.””
“No. Apparently, you don't.””
The phone vibrated again.
Everyone looked down.
A new message.
Not from the testing center.
A number with no name.
Darius read it.
*YOU WERE NEVER SUPPOSED TO SEE THIS PHONE.*
His thumb tightened around the device.
He looked at Simone.
“Who sent this?””
She didn't answer.
Darius raised the phone.
“Who sent this?””
Simone whispered, “Please, Darius.””
He took one breath.
Then another.
“I'm opening it.””
Simone suddenly looked past him.
Her eyes locked onto someone across the dining room.
Darius followed her gaze.
And for the first time, he realized—
May you like
*Simone wasn't afraid of him finding out.*
She was afraid of *someone else* hearing the truth.
