Chapter 6 - Robert Vale's Last Request
Robert Vale had never tried to take Michael away from Henry.
Samuel wanted that understood first.
"He lived with uncertainty," the lawyer explained. "Apparently it troubled him more as he grew older."
Six months before his death, Robert contacted Samuel.
He had cancer.
He wanted to know whether Michael had ever learned the truth.
Samuel refused to violate Henry's confidence.
Robert then left a sealed packet.
"If Michael ever begins asking questions," he instructed Samuel, "give him this."
Samuel placed the packet on the desk.
Michael did not touch it.
"Did Robert send the photograph to Emma?"
"No."
"The medical form?"
"No."
"Then who did?"
"I don't know."
Michael finally opened Robert's packet.
There was no dramatic confession.
Only a letter.
Michael,
I do not know whether I was your biological father.
Those were the first words.
Robert explained that he and Diane had been involved during a separation from Henry.
When Diane returned to her husband, she ended all contact.
Months later, Robert heard she had given birth.
He confronted her.
She denied he could be the father.
Years later, he considered requesting a test.
He never did.
Robert wrote:
Henry loved you. I saw that with my own eyes. I realized that pursuing certainty might satisfy me while damaging you. So I chose uncertainty.
Michael read quietly.
Then he reached the final paragraph.
If you ever choose to know, do it for yourself, not for money, anger, inheritance, or anyone else's fear.
Emma looked at Samuel.
"Did he leave DNA?"
Samuel nodded.
"A legally preserved sample."
Michael closed his eyes.
There it was.
The answer.
Available.
For thirty-six years his identity had existed behind a locked door.
Now the key sat in front of him.
Emma asked gently, "Do you want to know?"
Michael looked toward Lily.
She had awakened.
Her blue eyes followed the room with sleepy curiosity.
"I don't know."
Samuel said, "You do not need to decide today."
But Diane made the decision urgent.
That evening, when Michael and Emma returned home, Diane's car was parked outside.
She waited in their living room.
No invitation.
No warning.
Michael handed Lily to Emma.
"What are you doing here?"
Diane stood.
"I received a call."
"From who?"
"Samuel Price."
Michael's expression darkened.
"He shouldn't have called you."
"He didn't disclose your conversation."
"Then what did he say?"
"That Henry's estate documents had been accessed."
Emma stepped forward.
"You monitor access?"
"I am trustee."
Michael laughed bitterly.
"Of course you do."
Diane looked at him.
"You met Samuel because of Robert."
Michael said nothing.
That was enough.
Diane approached.
"You need to stop."
"Why?"
"Because Robert Vale has nothing to do with your life."
"He might have everything to do with my life."
"No."
The intensity in Diane's voice startled Lily.
She whimpered.
Emma moved toward the hallway.
Diane pointed.
"And now she has you questioning everything."
Michael stepped between them.
"Leave Emma out of this."
"I warned you about marrying someone who didn't understand our family."
Emma stopped.
Michael's voice became dangerously quiet.
"Get out."
Diane stared at him.
"You think Henry protected you?"
Michael froze.
Diane continued.
"You have no idea what he protected you from."
"What does that mean?"
Diane looked toward Lily.
Then she said something Emma would remember later.
"Before you start demanding blood tests, Michael, think carefully about whether you're prepared for the answers to apply to everyone."
Emma's entire body went cold.
Diane walked toward the door.
Michael followed.
"What are you implying?"
Diane looked directly at Emma.
"Ask your wife."
The door closed behind her.
Michael turned.
Emma stared at him.
"I have never been unfaithful to you."
"I know."
"Michael."
"I know."
But Diane had accomplished what she wanted.
May you like
She had placed poison in the room.
And once poison exists, even people who refuse to drink it can smell it.
