Chapter 7 - The Test Diane Wanted
For two days, Michael barely spoke.
Not because he doubted Emma.
He said repeatedly that he didn't.
But Diane's words had connected two questions that should never have been connected.
Michael's paternity.
Lily's paternity.
Emma became furious.
"That's what she wanted."
Michael stood beside the kitchen window.
"I know."
"Do you?"
"Emma."
"If you test Lily because your mother planted this in your head, she wins."
Michael turned.
"I don't want to test Lily."
"Then don't."
"I want to test myself."
Emma's anger softened.
Michael looked exhausted.
"I've spent thirty-six years believing something about the most basic fact of my existence."
"You are Michael Bennett."
"That's a name."
"It's your name."
"You know what I mean."
She did.
He continued.
"If Robert was my biological father, I want to know."
Emma nodded.
"Then we find out."
Michael looked at Lily.
"And I want to protect her from whatever Mom is planning."
That changed everything.
Samuel arranged testing through an accredited laboratory using Michael's sample and Robert Vale's preserved DNA.
At Emma's insistence, they also ordered an independent paternity test confirming Michael's relationship to Lily.
Not because Michael doubted her.
Because if Diane attempted to weaponize Lily's identity, Emma wanted evidence ready.
The tests would take approximately ten days.
They told no one.
Three days later, Diane invited Emma to lunch.
Alone.
Emma almost refused.
Then she accepted.
Diane chose a private dining room at an exclusive club.
The older woman arrived ten minutes late and apologized to no one.
She waited until the waiter left.
"Have you ordered the tests?"
Emma held her gaze.
"What tests?"
"Don't insult me."
"Then don't threaten my daughter."
Diane's expression remained composed.
"I have never threatened Lily."
"You implied she wasn't Michael's."
"I suggested uncertainty can spread."
Emma leaned forward.
"Why are you afraid?"
Diane smiled.
"I'm not."
"You are."
"Of what?"
"Robert Vale."
For the first time, Diane's fingers tightened around her water glass.
Emma saw it.
"Michael loved Henry."
Diane said nothing.
"He still does."
"Then you should have left Henry's private papers alone."
"Michael found them."
"Because you pushed him."
"No. Because someone mailed us documents."
Diane's eyes sharpened.
"Show me."
"No."
"What exactly did you receive?"
"Why do you care?"
"Because private medical information was stolen."
"Whose?"
Silence.
Emma leaned back.
Diane had walked into it.
"You knew the document was medical."
Diane recovered quickly.
"You already told me."
"No, I didn't."
They stared at each other.
Then Diane changed tactics.
"How much do you want?"
Emma almost laughed.
"For what?"
"To stop."
"You think this is about money?"
"Everything eventually is."
"Not Lily."
Diane's voice cooled.
"You underestimate what happens to children when families become public spectacles."
"Is that another threat?"
"A warning."
Emma stood.
Diane remained seated.
"Sit down."
"No."
"Emma."
"No."
Diane's composure cracked.
"If Michael receives certain results, he could lose everything."
Emma looked at her.
"Samuel says otherwise."
That struck harder than Emma expected.
Diane's face changed.
Only briefly.
But enough.
"You spoke to Samuel."
"Yes."
Diane whispered, "Henry."
Emma heard bitterness in the name.
"What did Henry do?"
Diane said nothing.
Emma picked up her purse.
As she walked away, Diane spoke.
"If those results arrive, bring them to me before Michael sees them."
Emma stopped.
"Why?"
Diane looked directly at her.
"Because there are truths that can destroy a man."
Emma answered, "Then maybe you should have told him thirty-six years ago."
She left.
That night, while Michael slept, Emma's phone received a text from an unknown number.
May you like
Do not let Diane intercept the laboratory delivery.
She has done it before.
