Chapter 10 - THE SECOND DNA TEST
The definitive results arrived three months after the gala.
Rachel.
Maddie.
Grant.
Evelyn.
A documented nephew of Adrian Vale.
The genetic genealogist called all four adults into Naomi’s office.
Rachel knew the answer before the woman spoke.
“Maddie’s biological father was Adrian Vale.”
Grant stared at the report.
No one spoke.
The genealogist continued.
“The probability exceeds 99.99 percent.”
Evelyn began crying.
Grant did not move.
Then came the second result.
“And Mr. Mercer…”
Grant looked up.
“Your biological father was also Adrian Vale.”
Silence.
Rachel’s fingers went cold.
They had anticipated it.
Speculated about it.
Read headlines about it.
But hearing it confirmed transformed possibility into reality.
Grant whispered:
“So Maddie…”
The genealogist nodded gently.
“Biologically, she is your paternal half-sister.”
Grant stood and walked to the window.
Rachel saw his reflection in the glass.
He looked destroyed.
“My daughter is my sister.”
“Genetically,” Naomi said. “Legally she remains your daughter.”
Grant laughed once.
The sound was hollow.
“That sentence shouldn’t exist.”
Evelyn covered her mouth.
Grant turned toward her.
“You knew this could be true.”
“I suspected Adrian was your father.”
“You knew.”
“I did not know about Rachel.”
“You knew what he had done to you and stayed silent.”
“I didn’t know he kept doing it.”
“You took his money.”
Evelyn cried harder.
Grant looked at Rachel.
For the first time since their marriage ended, there was no arrogance in him.
Only horror.
“I did the same thing.”
Rachel frowned.
“What?”
“I made a secret about biology more important than the person I claimed I was protecting.”
He looked toward the DNA report.
“My mother hid the truth because she was ashamed.”
His voice weakened.
“And then I punished Maddie because I was ashamed.”
May you like
Rachel did not comfort him.
Some truths were supposed to hurt.
