Chapter 8: The Second DNA Test
Jason stood between the ranch and the desert road.
For a few seconds, nobody moved.
Not me.
Not Frank.
Not even Lily.
Then Jason slowly looked at my daughter.
“Are you okay?””
Lily stepped closer to me.
She didn’t answer.
That hurt him.
I saw it.
But I couldn't comfort him.
Not yet.
I turned to Frank.
“What second DNA test?””
Frank looked at Jason.
“Tell her.””
Jason’s jaw tightened.
“Dad, stop.””
My entire body went cold.
“You knew?””
Jason looked at me.
“I can explain.””
“Everyone always says that right before they explain another lie.””
“Sarah.””
“No.””
I pointed toward the ranch.
“You came here after me. You knew this place existed.””
“Yes.””
“You knew Ethan’s storage unit existed.””
“Yes.””
“You knew about the key.””
“Yes.””
Each answer felt like another crack forming.
“How long have you known?””
Jason didn’t speak.
“Jason.””
“Since before we got married.””
The silence was unbearable.
I stared at him.
“You knew about Ethan before our wedding?””
He looked down.
“My father told me.””
“Why?””
“Because he was scared.””
“Of what?””
Jason looked at Frank.
Then back at me.
“Of you finding out the truth.””
I shook my head.
“No. You don’t get to say that anymore.””
Lily held my hand.
I forced myself to stay calm.
“What truth?””
Jason swallowed.
“The second DNA test wasn’t about whether Lily was mine.””
“Then what was it about?””
He took a step closer.
I stepped back.
“It was about you.””
My breath caught.
“What?””
“When my mother found Ethan’s paperwork, she thought he might have been your biological father.””
I stared at him.
“That makes no sense.””
“It does if Ethan’s records were right.””
Frank spoke quietly.
“Ethan spent years trying to prove Charles Mercer had hidden the truth about his family.””
I looked between them.
“What family?””
Jason’s face was filled with guilt.
“Our family.””
The desert wind moved through the broken fence.
I felt like I was standing in someone else’s life.
“Jason, say what you mean.””
He closed his eyes.
“The second DNA test showed Ethan was my grandfather’s enemy, not my father.””
“That still doesn't explain me.””
“No.””
He looked at Lily.
“It showed something else.””
“What?””
Jason’s voice dropped.
“Ethan Cole was your father.””
I felt the ground disappear.
“I know that.””
“No.””
He shook his head.
“You don't understand.””
I tightened my grip on Lily.
“Then explain.””
Jason looked at Frank.
Frank nodded.
“Ethan wasn't just your biological father.””
The ranch suddenly felt silent.
“He was also the only person who knew the truth about Charles Mercer’s crime.””
“What crime?””
Frank’s face hardened.
“The night Ethan disappeared, he found documents proving Charles had framed him.””
“And Diane?””
“She helped.””
I looked at Jason.
“And you?””
His eyes filled.
“I was twenty-three. I believed my family.””
The honesty came too late.
“I thought Ethan was dangerous.””
“You thought my father was dangerous?””
“Yes.””
“And then?””
Jason looked toward the ground.
“Then I found out he was telling the truth.””
I felt tears burning.
“You married me knowing all of this.””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
His answer came softly.
“Because I loved you.””
I laughed.
It wasn't happiness.
It was pain.
“You loved me while hiding the biggest part of my life.””
“I was going to tell you.””
“When?””
He had no answer.
Lily tugged my sleeve.
“Mommy.””
I looked down.
Her eyes were fixed on Jason.
“Is Daddy bad?””
The question destroyed him.
Jason dropped to his knees.
“No.””
His voice broke.
“I made terrible choices. But I never stopped loving you.””
Lily looked at me.
I didn’t know what to say.
Because the hardest part was that I believed him.
Then Frank suddenly looked toward the road.
“Someone’s coming.””
A black SUV appeared behind Jason’s truck.
My heart raced.
“Who is that?””
Frank stepped back.
“Diane.””
The SUV stopped.
The door opened.
Diane walked out.
But she wasn’t alone.
A man in a dark jacket stepped out behind her.
Jason’s face changed.
“Impossible.””
I looked at him.
“Who is that?””
Jason whispered.
“Ethan.””
The man removed his sunglasses.
Older.
Scarred.
But alive.
My father looked directly at me.
May you like
And said the one thing I never expected.
“Sarah, you need to leave with Lily before Jason’s mother finds out I survived.””
