CHAPTER 5 — The DNA Test That Changed Everything
Michael wrapped an arm around Ethan's shoulder, smiling like the perfect father.
"Officer," he said calmly, "this woman abducted my son. Please arrest her before she hurts the baby."
The police stepped toward Clara.
Victor Blackwood suddenly laughed.
A slow...
Confident...
Terrifying laugh.
"You still think you can lie your way out of this, Michael?"
Michael's smile vanished.
Victor reached into his coat and placed a sealed envelope on the table.
"I've been waiting twenty years to open this."
One officer frowned.
"What is it?"
"A court-ordered DNA report... hidden by my own lawyers after my daughter's death."
The room fell silent.
Michael lunged for the envelope.
Victor was faster.
He handed it directly to the lead detective.
The officer carefully unfolded the report.
His eyes widened.
Then widened again.
"According to this..."
He looked at Ethan.
"...Michael Foster is not this child's biological father."
Michael froze.
The detective continued reading.
"The biological grandfather..."
He slowly turned toward Victor.
"...is Victor Blackwood."
Every officer in the room stared at Michael.
Clara began crying.
Ethan felt the world collapse beneath his feet.
The man he had called Dad for six years...
Had never been family at all.
But Victor wasn't finished.
He opened another folder.
Inside were security photos from twenty years earlier.
Every image showed Michael secretly meeting with a man Ethan had never seen before.
The final picture showed both men standing outside the hospital nursery...
The very night Lily disappeared.
Michael's face turned pale.
"Those photos are fake."
Victor smiled.
"No..."
"The hospital security server kept backup copies."
Then the detective received a phone call.
His expression instantly changed.
"What?"
"When?"
He lowered the phone.
"The forensic team just reopened the little girl's coffin..."
Everyone held their breath.
"There was no body inside."
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