Chapter 5: The Test That Changed Everything
For a few seconds, I couldn't move.
I couldn't breathe.
I couldn't understand the sentence my sister had just spoken.
“She knew?””
Emma nodded.
“Before tonight.””
“How?””
Emma sat down.
Her hands were shaking.
“Because I told her.””
The silence afterward was unbearable.
I stared at my sister.
The person who used to know everything about me.
My childhood secrets.
My fears.
My dreams.
The first person I called when I found out I was pregnant.
“You told Vivian?””
Emma covered her face.
“I didn't know she was going to use it against you.””
I stepped back.
“You knew there was something to use.””
“I was scared.””
“Of what?””
She looked up.
“Of losing you.””
I almost laughed.
“That's what you were afraid of?””
“Yes.””
“Emma, you helped destroy my marriage.””
“No.””
Her voice cracked.
“I tried to stop it.””
I stared.
“What?””
She wiped her tears.
“The day Marcus confronted you at the hotel wasn't supposed to happen.””
I frowned.
“What are you talking about?””
“Vivian changed the plan.””
“What plan?””
Emma looked away.
“Marcus wanted to tell you privately.””
I shook my head.
“No.””
“Yes.””
“He brought her there.””
“Yes.””
“His mother was coming.””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Emma took a deep breath.
“Because Marcus wanted to announce the divorce and introduce Vivian to his family.””
My stomach twisted.
“And you knew?””
“I found out the night before.””
“And you said nothing.””
“I was trying to figure out what to do.””
I stared at her.
“No.””
“What?””
“You weren't trying to help me.””
Her face fell.
“You were trying to decide which side to choose.””
Emma didn't argue.
Because she knew.
That night, I sat alone in the nursery.
The room I had created with so much love.
A small lamp glowed beside the crib.
Tiny blue blankets were folded neatly.
A stuffed elephant sat on the shelf.
Everything was ready.
Except my life.
My phone sat beside me.
I had ignored Marcus's calls.
Ignored messages.
Ignored everything.
Until one message appeared.
From Vivian.
*We need to talk.*
I stared at it.
Then another came.
*You deserve the truth.*
I almost threw the phone.
But curiosity was stronger.
I replied.
*Come.*
Twenty minutes later, she arrived.
No expensive dress this time.
No confident smile.
Just Vivian.
Standing in my doorway.
Looking almost human.
Almost.
“You invited me in?””
“No.””
I stepped aside.
“You can stand there.””
She nodded.
Fair.
“You know.””
It wasn't a question.
“Yes.””
She looked down.
“Then you know why Marcus was confused.””
I laughed.
“Confused?””
“He thought the baby was his.””
My eyes hardened.
“Isn't it?””
She looked at me.
And for the first time, Vivian looked afraid.
“Claire.””
“Answer me.””
She hesitated.
Then:
“I don't know.””
The room went silent.
I felt my heartbeat in my ears.
“What does that mean?””
“It means Marcus isn't the only man who could be the father.””
I gripped the edge of the table.
“Who?””
She didn't answer.
“Who?””
Her voice became quiet.
“Daniel Brooks.””
I froze.
The lawyer.
The man who handled Marcus's documents.
No.
Impossible.
“You're lying.””
“I wish I was.””
I stared at her.
“Why are you telling me this?””
She looked away.
“Because Marcus is about to destroy you for something he doesn't even know.””
“You don't care about me.””
“No.””
She admitted it.
“I don't.””
At least she was honest.
“Then why?””
Her eyes met mine.
“Because Marcus promised me he would leave you months ago.””
I said nothing.
“And he didn't.””
A bitter smile appeared on her face.
“He kept saying after the baby came. After things settled down. After the right moment.””
My stomach turned.
“So you exposed him.””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because I was tired of waiting.””
I stared at her.
The woman who destroyed my marriage wasn't doing it out of love.
She was doing it out of impatience.
“Get out.””
She nodded.
Then paused.
“There is one more thing.””
I didn't respond.
“Marcus knows about Daniel.””
My blood went cold.
“What?””
“He doesn't know the baby isn't his.””
She stepped closer.
“But he knows Daniel was involved.””
“How?””
“Because I told him.””
I stared at her.
“Why?””
Her expression changed.
“Because I wanted him to choose me.””
Then she walked away.
Leaving me with the worst question of my life.
What if Marcus had never loved me?
What if he only stayed because he was afraid of losing control?
The next morning, I went to the hospital.
Not for an appointment.
For answers.
The doctor looked surprised when I requested a paternity test before delivery.
“Claire, are you sure?””
I looked at the ultrasound screen.
At my son.
The only innocent person in this disaster.
“Yes.””
The doctor nodded.
“Are you telling the father?””
I looked away.
“No.””
Because I didn't know who the father was.
And I didn't know who deserved to know first.
When I left the hospital, Marcus was waiting outside.
My heart sank.
“How did you know I was here?””
He looked at my hand.
Then at the paperwork I was holding.
His face changed.
“Claire.””
I said nothing.
His voice lowered.
“Is it true?””
I froze.
“What?””
“Is there a chance the baby isn't mine?””
The world went quiet.
May you like
And then Marcus said the one sentence I never expected.
“Tell me the truth before I hear it from someone else.””
