Chapter 7: The DNA Test That Exposed Another Lie
I drove to St. Mary's Medical Center with my mother's final words repeating in my head.
There was another man.
I had spent the last forty-eight hours discovering that my wife had been sleeping with my brother, faking a pregnancy, hiding a newborn, and helping him steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from my company.
Now I was being told that even the identity of the baby's father was uncertain.
I didn't know how much more betrayal one person could absorb.
When I entered the hospital, Rachel was waiting near the elevators.
She wore blue scrubs and held a thick folder against her chest.
"Daniel.""
"What happened?""
She glanced around before answering.
"Oliver's screening results came back. The doctors wanted additional testing because his blood group and the information Vanessa provided didn't match what they expected.""
"Expected from whom?""
"From Ethan.""
I frowned.
"Rachel, I need you to stop speaking in riddles.""
She led me into a small consultation room.
A pediatrician named Dr. Harris was waiting inside.
He was in his late forties, with silver hair and a calm expression.
"Mr. Brooks," he said, shaking my hand.
"Please sit down.""
I remained standing.
"Tell me what's wrong with the baby.""
Dr. Harris opened the folder.
"First, Oliver is currently stable. His earlier screening raised a question about a possible inherited condition, but further evaluation is necessary. We don't want to jump to conclusions.""
"All right.""
"However, the family information provided to the hospital has been inconsistent.""
He turned a page.
"Vanessa initially listed Ethan Cole as the biological father. Later, she requested that the paternal information be changed.""
I stared at him.
"Changed to whom?""
He hesitated.
"Your name.""
I felt the blood drain from my face.
"What?""
Rachel nodded slowly.
"That's what I was trying to tell you.""
Dr. Harris continued.
"Before the hospital could process the amended information, the social worker requested clarification. There were discrepancies in the dates and the family history.""
I sat down.
"Why would Vanessa put my name on the paperwork?""
Rachel looked at me.
"Because she wanted Oliver to be registered as your child.""
I closed my eyes.
Even after everything, she had still been trying to make me the father.
"Did she think I wouldn't find out?""
Dr. Harris spoke carefully.
"Mr. Brooks, I cannot determine anyone's motives. But the records indicate that the parentage information needs to be corrected through the proper process.""
I looked at Rachel.
"Did you know?""
"I knew she had asked about changing the paperwork. I didn't know she had actually submitted your name.""
I stood.
"Where is Vanessa?""
"She was discharged several weeks ago," Rachel replied.
"She isn't here today.""
I paced across the room.
"Then how do we establish the truth?""
Dr. Harris closed the folder.
"With properly authorized DNA testing, if the relevant individuals consent or through an appropriate legal process.""
I nodded.
"Arrange whatever is necessary.""
Rachel looked uncomfortable.
"There's another person you should speak to.""
"Who?""
She handed me a business card.
*Margaret Brooks.*
Vanessa's aunt.
The woman who had supposedly helped hide Oliver after his birth.
"Why?""
"Because she collected Oliver from the hospital after discharge. She also brought Vanessa to one of the later appointments.""
I looked at the card.
"Did she know about the affair?""
Rachel nodded.
"Yes.""
I stared at her.
"How many people knew?""
Rachel didn't answer.
I left the hospital and called Margaret.
She answered after several rings.
"Hello?""
"It's Daniel.""
Silence.
Then a quiet sigh.
"I wondered when you would call.""
"I need to see you.""
"About Vanessa?""
"About Oliver. And about the paperwork you helped arrange.""
She hesitated.
"Daniel, I don't think this is something we should discuss over the phone.""
"Then meet me.""
After a moment, she agreed to meet at her house that afternoon.
Before leaving the hospital, I asked Rachel one final question.
"Did Ethan know about the changed paperwork?""
She looked toward the floor.
"I believe he did.""
"Why didn't he tell me?""
"Because he was afraid of what the truth might mean for him.""
I drove straight to Margaret's house.
She opened the door wearing a gray cardigan and holding a cup of tea.
Her expression was exhausted.
"Come in.""
I walked into the living room.
On the coffee table sat a framed photograph of Vanessa as a teenager.
I looked at it.
"Did you know about Ethan?""
Margaret nodded.
"Yes.""
"Did you know Vanessa was pregnant?""
"Yes.""
"Did you help her hide Oliver?""
She looked down.
"I helped her because she was frightened.""
"Everyone keeps saying that.""
Margaret sat opposite me.
"Daniel, I know you're angry.""
"Angry doesn't begin to describe it.""
She nodded.
"Vanessa came to me shortly before the baby was born. She said Ethan had abandoned her and that she didn't know how to face you.""
"Did she tell you Ethan was the father?""
"At first.""
"At first?""
Margaret looked toward the window.
"She later told me there had been another man.""
I leaned forward.
"Who?""
She shook her head.
"She wouldn't give me his name.""
"Did you believe her?""
"At the time, yes.""
I stared at her.
"Then why did you agree to help?""
Margaret began crying.
"Because I thought she would eventually tell the truth.""
"Instead, she staged a baby shower.""
Margaret closed her eyes.
"I know.""
I stood.
"Show me the documents.""
She looked startled.
"What documents?""
"The hospital papers. Anything Vanessa gave you.""
Margaret hesitated before walking toward a small cabinet.
She opened a drawer and removed a large envelope.
Inside were photocopies of hospital forms, receipts, and several handwritten notes.
I examined them.
Most were ordinary.
Then I found a document dated October fourteenth.
It was a request for additional genetic testing.
The father's information section had been left blank.
But at the bottom, someone had written:
Possible biological father: Daniel Brooks.
I stared at the words.
"Why is my name here?""
Margaret looked uncomfortable.
"Vanessa told me she had been confused about the dates.""
"What dates?""
"She said she and Ethan weren't the only people involved.""
I felt sick.
"Who else?""
Margaret lowered her voice.
"She told me that one night, before the affair with Ethan became physical, she had been with someone else.""
"Who?""
"I don't know.""
I stared at her.
"You're telling me my wife had another affair before my brother?""
Margaret nodded.
I sat down.
For a long moment, I couldn't speak.
Then I noticed another paper inside the envelope.
It was a handwritten note.
The handwriting belonged to Vanessa.
If Daniel's name is used, the baby can stay in the family without anyone asking questions. Ethan can disappear, and Oliver will still have a father.
I felt my stomach turn.
She hadn't simply been confused.
She had been planning.
I folded the paper carefully.
"Did you know she intended to put my name on the birth certificate?""
Margaret shook her head.
"No. I thought she was trying to determine the truth.""
I looked at her.
"Did you ever see the other man?""
Margaret hesitated.
Then she said something that made my heart stop.
"Yes.""
I leaned forward.
"Who?""
She looked directly at me.
"Your business partner.""
I felt the room spin.
"Marcus?""
She nodded.
Marcus Reed had been my business partner for eight years.
He had helped me build the company from a small construction consultancy into a regional development firm.
He had attended our wedding.
He had celebrated Lily's birth.
He had been at our house dozens of times.
And he had been one of the people I trusted most.
"You're certain?""
"I saw him leaving Vanessa's apartment one evening. She told me later that it had been a mistake.""
I stared at the floor.
A new betrayal.
A new name.
Another person who had stood beside me while knowing something I didn't.
I left Margaret's house without finishing my tea.
On the drive back, I called Marcus.
He answered cheerfully.
"Daniel! How's everything?""
I almost laughed.
"Where are you?""
"Office. Why?""
"I need to see you.""
"Sure. What's up?""
"Not over the phone.""
His voice changed.
"Is this about the company?""
"Partly.""
"Okay. Come by.""
I arrived forty minutes later.
Marcus was standing beside his desk, reviewing a property proposal.
He looked up and smiled.
"Brother, you look terrible.""
I didn't sit.
"Did you sleep with my wife?""
His smile vanished.
For several seconds, he didn't move.
Then he slowly put down his pen.
"Daniel...""
"Answer me.""
He looked toward the glass wall of his office.
"Can we talk privately?""
"You're talking to me right now.""
He exhaled.
"Yes.""
I felt my hands tighten.
"When?""
"Before the first pregnancy.""
"How long?""
"Once.""
I laughed.
"That's what Vanessa said about Ethan.""
Marcus shook his head.
"Daniel, I swear it was once.""
"Did you know she was pregnant?""
"No.""
"Did you know she had been sleeping with Ethan?""
He looked down.
"I found out later.""
"And you said nothing?""
"I thought they had ended it.""
"Did you know Oliver might be yours?""
Marcus looked up sharply.
"What?""
I watched his expression.
It was the first genuine surprise I had seen all day.
He stepped toward me.
"Daniel, I don't know what Vanessa told you, but I haven't seen her in almost two years.""
I stared at him.
"Would you take a DNA test?""
He hesitated.
Then he nodded.
"Yes.""
I left his office with his agreement in writing.
That evening, the attorney arranged for the necessary testing procedures.
There would be no more guessing.
No more handwritten explanations.
No more convenient family stories.
The truth would come from evidence.
But before I could even process the possibility that Marcus might be Oliver's father, my phone rang.
It was my mother.
"Daniel, you need to come home.""
"What happened?""
"Ethan is here.""
My stomach tightened.
"Why?""
"He's arguing with Vanessa.""
I started toward the car.
"Don't let him leave.""
My mother hesitated.
"Daniel, there's something else.""
"What?""
"Ethan says he has proof that Oliver isn't his son.""
I stopped walking.
"Proof of what?""
My mother whispered:
"He says Vanessa has been lying about the timing of the pregnancy.""
I looked toward the road.
May you like
The rain was beginning again.
And suddenly, I realized that the next test might expose something far more devastating than another affair.
