Chapter 10: The DNA Test That Changed Everything
"Your father?""
I repeated Arthur's words because my mind refused to accept them.
The phone was still pressed against my ear.
Across the study, Vanessa stood beside the desk, her face drained of color. Stephanie had moved toward the doorway, apparently calculating whether she could leave without being stopped.
Daniel stepped between her and the exit.
"Nobody is going anywhere.""
I looked at Vanessa.
"Tell me he's wrong.""
She began shaking her head.
"Marcus, you have to understand something.""
"Tell me he's wrong!""
My voice echoed through the house.
Vanessa flinched.
Arthur was still speaking through the phone.
"Marcus, I need you to remain calm. The document I received is preliminary. It does not establish biological parentage. It identifies a genetic inconsistency that requires further testing.""
"What inconsistency?""
"The original neonatal screening indicates that Lily may have inherited a genetic marker from a paternal relative who was not identified on the birth record.""
I closed my eyes.
"Can you tell me whose?""
"Not without comparing the original laboratory samples.""
"Then arrange the test.""
"I already have.""
I looked at Vanessa.
She was crying now.
Not the carefully controlled tears she had used at the wedding.
These were different.
"Marcus, please," she whispered.
I ended the call.
For several seconds, the only sound in the room was the rain against the windows.
Then Stephanie spoke.
"You're making a terrible mistake.""
I turned toward her.
"How?""
"You think this is about biology. It isn't. It's about what your grandfather did to Catherine.""
"Explain.""
Stephanie folded her arms.
"Your grandfather destroyed your wife's mother's life. He controlled her money, her relationships, and eventually her daughter. Vanessa spent years trying to recover what belonged to her.""
"By stealing from a sick child?""
"That money should never have been in the trust in the first place.""
Daniel stepped forward.
"You're going to want to stop talking.""
Stephanie ignored him.
"Your grandfather used Lily's medical condition as an excuse to keep Vanessa away from the estate. He knew she would eventually challenge the arrangement.""
I looked at Vanessa.
"Is that what you believe?""
She nodded weakly.
"My mother was promised an inheritance. Grandpa took it away.""
"Your mother died before Lily was born.""
"And your grandfather made sure I never got what she left me.""
"That doesn't explain the forged documents.""
Vanessa looked at the floor.
"It was supposed to be temporary.""
I stared at her.
"Seventy thousand dollars disappeared before the wedding.""
"I intended to replace it.""
"With what?""
"The inheritance.""
I laughed once.
There was nothing funny about it.
"You stole Lily's money because you thought you could replace it with money you hadn't received.""
Vanessa started crying harder.
"I was desperate.""
"And the wig?""
She looked up.
"What?""
"Why did you tear the wig off her head?""
Her lips trembled.
"I didn't mean to hurt her.""
"You pulled it off in front of hundreds of people.""
"I was angry!""
"At an eleven-year-old girl?""
Vanessa covered her face.
Stephanie suddenly moved toward the desk.
I caught her wrist before she could reach the blue envelope.
"Don't.""
She pulled away.
"You have no idea what you're holding.""
"Then tell me.""
She glanced at Vanessa.
"Your wife was trying to protect Lily.""
I stared at her.
"From what?""
Stephanie hesitated.
Then she said, "From the truth about her father.""
My heart pounded.
I looked at Vanessa.
"Did you have an affair with my father?""
"No!""
The answer came too quickly.
I waited.
Vanessa shook her head.
"No, Marcus. I swear. I never slept with your father.""
"Then why does the report identify him?""
"Because the hospital used the wrong family reference.""
"How?""
She took a shaky breath.
"Your father was listed as a potential genetic donor because he had been tested years earlier.""
I frowned.
"A donor?""
Stephanie looked at Vanessa sharply.
"Don't.""
But Vanessa continued.
"Before Lily was born, we were told there might be a problem with her blood. The doctors wanted to compare her results with a family member's records. Your father had participated in a genetic screening program because of Catherine.""
I looked at Daniel.
He appeared just as confused.
"Why would Dad's records be used?""
Vanessa wiped her cheeks.
"Because he was the only person in the family with the complete genetic profile.""
I thought about the letter.
The one my father had written before Lily's birth.
The one warning me that the child might not be mine.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because your grandfather told me not to.""
I stared at her.
"Grandpa?""
She nodded.
"He said the test results would destroy the family.""
"And you listened?""
"I was pregnant. I was frightened. I didn't know what to do.""
"Then why alter the medical report?""
Vanessa looked toward Stephanie.
Stephanie answered for her.
"Because if Lily was classified as having inherited a condition from the family line, the trust could be challenged.""
I felt sick.
"Who challenged it?""
"Your grandfather's estate administrator.""
"Why?""
"Because the medical condition was one of the restrictions attached to the inheritance.""
I looked at the blue envelope.
The documents suddenly seemed heavier.
My phone vibrated.
A message from Arthur.
*The laboratory has located the original samples. We need your consent for independent testing.*
I replied immediately.
*Proceed.*
Then another message arrived.
*There is a second sample labeled Catherine Hale.*
I looked up.
"What's the Catherine sample?""
Vanessa went pale.
Stephanie stepped backward.
And suddenly, I understood that neither of them had expected the old medical records to survive.
Before I could ask another question, police sirens sounded outside.
Daniel looked toward the window.
"They're here.""
Two officers entered the house a minute later.
They had received the report concerning the unauthorized access to the property and the suspected financial fraud.
One officer spoke with Stephanie.
The other approached Vanessa.
"Mrs. Hale, we need you to come with us to answer some questions.""
Vanessa looked at me.
"Marcus, please don't let them take me.""
I didn't move.
"Where is Lily?"" she whispered.
"Safe.""
"Can I see her?""
"Not until she wants to see you.""
Her face crumpled.
As the officers escorted her toward the entrance, she turned back.
"Marcus, there is something you need to know.""
I said nothing.
"Your grandfather didn't just hide the truth about my mother.""
She looked directly into my eyes.
"He also knew who Lily's biological father was.""
Then she disappeared through the doorway.
I stood motionless.
Daniel approached me.
"What do you think she meant?""
I looked at the empty doorway.
"I think we're about to find out.""
My phone rang again.
Arthur.
I answered.
His first sentence made my blood run cold.
"Marcus, we've completed the initial comparison.""
I gripped the desk.
"And?""
"There's a confirmed biological connection between Lily and Catherine's original medical sample.""
I closed my eyes.
"Meaning?""
Arthur hesitated.
"Meaning Lily inherited the condition through Catherine's bloodline.""
"And her father?""
"That's where it becomes complicated.""
He lowered his voice.
"The second sample doesn't belong to your father.""
I exhaled.
"Then whose?""
May you like
Arthur paused.
"Richard Hale.""
