Chapter 14: The DNA Test That Exposed Everything
Dad stared at Emily.
"That's impossible.""
Emily pulled a folded document from her handbag.
"I thought it was a scam. I didn't believe him.""
She handed it to Detective Harris.
The report contained the name Daniel Carter.
The alleged probability of paternity was listed as 99.8 percent.
Dad shook his head.
"Daniel isn't her father.""
Emily looked confused.
"Then why would he have a DNA report?""
Patricia covered her face.
"I can explain.""
Dad turned toward her.
"Start talking.""
Patricia sat on the edge of the sofa.
"Michael arranged the test. He wanted Emily to believe Daniel was her biological father so she wouldn't trust Marcus.""
Emily frowned.
"But why would Daniel agree?""
Patricia looked at the floor.
"Because he knew about your existence before you were born.""
Dad grabbed the back of a chair.
"What?""
Patricia continued.
"Eighteen years ago, Margaret was pregnant. Michael discovered that she had established a trust for her unborn children. He convinced Daniel that if the children were separated from Marcus, he could gain control of the estate.""
I stared at her.
"So Daniel helped steal Emily?""
Patricia nodded.
"He helped arrange the false hospital records. Michael paid someone to declare the baby dead. I was told I was receiving an abandoned child through a private placement.""
Emily stood.
"You took me because they paid you?""
Patricia began crying.
"Yes.""
"And you let me call you Mom for twenty-one years?""
"I loved you.""
"That doesn't change what you did!""
Patricia lowered her head.
Emily walked toward the window.
Her shoulders trembled.
Dad moved toward her but stopped when she raised her hand.
"Please don't.""
He stepped back.
I stood beside her.
"You don't have to decide anything tonight.""
She looked at me.
"Do you really believe we're brother and sister?""
I nodded.
"I've never been more certain of anything.""
She gave a small, broken smile.
Then Detective Harris spoke.
"We need to move. Michael is attempting to transfer the company shares tonight.""
He looked at the DNA report.
"And this document needs independent verification.""
We left the apartment with Emily, Patricia, and two officers.
The old Carter warehouse stood near the industrial district, surrounded by empty lots and rusting fences.
It had belonged to my grandfather.
Dad hadn't visited it in years.
When we arrived, several lights were on inside.
A black luxury SUV stood near the loading entrance.
Michael's vehicle.
Detective Harris instructed everyone to remain behind the police team.
But before he could approach the building, the warehouse doors opened.
Daniel walked out.
His hands were raised.
Behind him stood Robert Hayes.
And between them was Vanessa.
She held a thick folder.
Dad stared.
"Why are you all here?""
Vanessa smiled.
"Because we finally get to finish what we started.""
Detective Harris ordered them to step away from the entrance.
Daniel looked exhausted.
"I want to cooperate.""
Michael's voice came from inside.
"Don't be ridiculous, Daniel.""
He appeared in the doorway.
He looked at Dad.
Then at Emily.
"So this is the missing daughter.""
Emily stepped closer to me.
Michael smiled.
"Your mother really did leave behind quite a mess.""
Dad moved forward.
"You've taken enough from this family.""
Michael laughed.
"Have I?""
He pointed toward the warehouse.
"Your father built this company. I helped him build it. And when he died, Marcus got everything because everyone believed his version of the story.""
Dad shook his head.
"You murdered him.""
Michael's expression hardened.
"Prove it.""
Detective Harris raised his voice.
"Mr. Carter, we have evidence of suspected financial fraud, identity theft, and conspiracy. Step away from the building.""
Michael ignored him.
He held up a document.
"This is the original transfer authorization. Both heirs' interests are being assigned to my holding company.""
Emily looked at the paper.
"My mother never signed that.""
Michael smiled.
"Your mother is dead.""
I stepped forward.
"And you're about to lose everything.""
Michael laughed.
"You're an eighteen-year-old boy with a swollen face. What exactly do you think you can do?""
I touched the locket around my neck.
"Open locker eighteen.""
For the first time, Michael stopped smiling.
Emily pulled her pendant from her pocket.
"Mom left us something.""
Michael looked toward Daniel.
Daniel lowered his eyes.
"Where did you get those?""
I held up the two keys.
Michael's expression changed completely.
He rushed toward us.
Detective Harris intercepted him.
"Stop!""
Michael struggled.
An officer grabbed his other arm.
The folder Vanessa had been holding fell to the concrete.
Papers scattered everywhere.
Emily and I ran toward the warehouse entrance with Detective Harris.
Inside, we found a row of old metal lockers.
Number eighteen was at the far end.
I inserted my key.
Emily inserted hers into the second lock.
Together, we turned them.
The locker opened.
Inside was a small metal box.
And beneath it was a sealed envelope addressed to both of us.
Detective Harris carefully examined the box before opening it.
Inside were three things.
A flash drive.
A stack of original company documents.
And a small voice recorder.
Emily picked up the envelope.
Our mother's handwriting covered the front.
To my children. If you are standing together, then I finally succeeded.
Emily began crying.
I opened the letter.
My beautiful children,
I am sorry I couldn't bring you together while I was alive.
The truth about your grandfather, your inheritance, and the people who betrayed us is inside this box.
But the most important evidence is not on the flash drive.
I looked at the voice recorder.
There was a label.
October 14. Final conversation.
Detective Harris pressed play.
My grandfather's voice filled the warehouse.
Then Michael's.
Then a third voice.
A voice we all recognized.
Daniel.
But what came next made Dad collapse against the lockers.
Because Daniel wasn't helping Michael.
He was warning my grandfather.
And my grandfather was saying something none of us expected.
"Daniel, if anything happens to me, make sure Marcus never discovers who his real father is.""
Dad looked up.
"What?""
The recording continued.
My grandfather spoke again.
"Michael is not my son.""
The warehouse went silent.
May you like
Then came the final sentence.
"Marcus, you're the only child I ever legally adopted.""
