Chapter 9 - The Thursday Morning DNA Results Arrive
Thursday morning arrived with cold, relentless grey skies over the city of Bethesda.
At 8:45 AM, the Reynolds family sat inside the private consultation room at the Bethesda health clinic once again.
Victor, Walter, Miriam, and Samantha sat on one side of the mahogany table, looking like ghost figures in dark clothing.
Naomi Prescott sat on the opposite side of the table, flanked by her own defense attorney whom she had hired two days ago.
She was no longer wearing her designer dress; she wore a simple sweater, her eyes bloodshot from crying for seventy-two hours.
Dr. Harrison walked into the room at exactly 9:00 AM, holding a sealed, thick courier envelope bearing the red lab logo.
He didn't make small talk, nor did he offer water or coffee to anyone present.
He sat down at the head of the table, pulled a metal letter opener from his pocket, and sliced the top seal open.
He unfolded the genetic testing report, his eyes scanning down the legal probability charts printed on the second page.
Victor leaned forward, his hands clasped tight between his knees, his jaw clenched so hard his teeth clicked.
“Read it, Doctor,” Victor said, his voice completely flat.
Dr. Harrison cleared his throat, adjusting his glasses as he read the official lab conclusion out loud to the room.
“Regarding the fetal DNA sample extracted from Ms. Naomi Prescott and the reference sample provided by Mr. Victor Reynolds...”
“The probability of paternity for Mr. Victor Reynolds is zero point zero percent.”
“Mr. Victor Reynolds is definitively excluded as the biological father of the unborn child.”
Naomi let out a choked, desperate sob, burying her face into her hands as her attorney patted her back awkwardly.
Victor didn't scream, he didn't throw a chair, and he didn't curse at Naomi.
He simply closed his eyes, a single cold tear trailing down his cheek as the absolute horror of his complete failure washed over him.
He had destroyed his twelve-year marriage to a wonderful, wealthy woman.
He had abandoned his two sweet, innocent daughters.
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He had ruined his family’s business reputation.
All for a baby that belonged to another man entirely.
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