Chapter 11: The Test
I stared at the paper.
My name.
David's name.
And a result printed beneath them.
*PATERNITY: 99.98% PROBABILITY.*
My hands went numb.
“No.””
Dad looked at me.
“Claire…”
I couldn't hear him.
I looked at Mom.
“Is this real?””
She closed her eyes.
“Claire, please.””
“Is this real?””
David smiled.
“Yes.””
Dad turned on him.
“Shut up.””
David raised both hands.
“You wanted the truth.””
I looked at Mom.
“You're my mother.””
“Yes.””
“Dad is my father.””
Mom didn't answer.
That was enough.
I turned toward David.
“Then why does this say—”
“Because John isn't your biological father.””
Dad looked like someone had knocked the air out of him.
“No.””
Mom started crying.
“I was going to tell you.””
“When?””
“When you were older.””
“I’m twenty-four.””
“I know.””
“You let me believe Dad was my father my entire life.””
David stepped forward.
“I never knew you existed.””
Dad snapped.
“You knew.””
David's face hardened.
“Not until recently.””
Ethan looked at the report.
“When did you find out?””
“Six months ago.””
“And that's when everything started?””
David nodded.
“I discovered the old records.””
Mom wiped her tears.
“He threatened me.””
David laughed.
“She begged me not to tell John.””
Dad stared at Mom.
“Why?””
“Because I knew what you'd do.””
“What would I do?””
“Leave.””
Dad shook his head.
“You destroyed our family because you were afraid I might leave?””
Mom whispered, “You loved me.””
“And you used that.””
She couldn't answer.
The sirens were getting louder.
David suddenly grabbed the folder.
“I'm leaving.””
Ethan blocked the stairs.
“No.””
David pulled something from his pocket.
A small flash drive.
“You want the whole truth?””
Ethan stared.
“What's on it?””
“Everything.””
David held it up.
“The bank transfers. The insurance documents. The original recording from the night of the fire.””
Dad stepped forward.
“Give it to me.””
David smiled.
“You'll have to catch me.””
He shoved Ethan.
Ethan stumbled backward.
Dad caught him.
David ran up the stairs.
I chased him.
“Claire, don't!”” Dad shouted.
I followed David through the kitchen and into the rain.
He sprinted toward a black SUV parked beside the old house.
I grabbed the driver's door before he could close it.
He shoved me away.
“You're just like your mother.””
I grabbed the door again.
“You're not taking that.””
He stared at me.
“You have no idea what you're protecting.””
“I’m protecting Ethan.””
David paused.
Then he laughed.
“You still think Ethan is the innocent one?””
I froze.
“What does that mean?””
David started the engine.
“Ask him who he called the night of the fire.””
The SUV sped away.
Dad ran outside.
“Claire!””
I turned toward him.
“What did he mean?””
Dad looked at Ethan.
Ethan stood beneath the porch roof.
His face was pale.
“Ethan?””
He didn't answer.
I walked toward him.
“Who did you call that night?””
Ethan swallowed.
“I don't remember.””
“You were eight.””
“I know.””
“You just told us Mom locked you in the garage.””
“She did.””
“Then how did Marcus find you?””
Ethan looked at Marcus.
Marcus lowered his eyes.
I felt something twist in my stomach.
“Ethan?””
He finally spoke.
“I called him.””
Dad stared.
“You called Marcus?””
Ethan nodded.
“But I didn't call him from the garage.””
“Where did you call him from?””
Ethan's voice dropped.
“The basement.””
Nobody moved.
He looked at Dad.
“I wasn't trapped in the garage when the fire started.””
Dad's face hardened.
“Then where were you?””
May you like
Ethan pointed toward the old house.
“I was standing behind Mom when she lit the match.””
