Chapter 4 - TWO DNA TESTS
Grace did not panic.
"It's fake."
Nathan looked at the report.
"How do you know?"
"Because I tested Lily when she was six months old."
Nathan stared at her.
"You had my DNA?"
Grace nodded.
"A toothbrush you left at my apartment."
"And?"
"You are her father."
She still had the report.
In a locked box at her apartment.
They retrieved it under police escort.
The lab was legitimate.
The probability of paternity was greater than 99.99 percent.
Now there were two tests.
One said yes.
One said no.
Detective Ellis sent both for forensic review.
The negative test was created two years after Lily's birth.
The sample assigned to Nathan had come from someone else.
"Who?" Nathan asked.
The geneticist frowned.
"The sample donor appears closely related to you."
"How close?"
"Likely a paternal relative."
Nathan had no brothers.
His father was dead.
He had one uncle.
Robert Cole.
Robert sat on Cole Meridian's board.
He had also become interim chairman after Charles died.
Nathan called him.
Robert answered cheerfully.
"Nate. Heard there was trouble at the house."
Nathan put the call on speaker.
"I need a DNA sample."
Silence.
"That's a strange hello."
"Did you ever provide DNA to Martin Hale?"
Another silence.
"No."
Nathan looked at Grace.
"Then you won't mind testing."
Robert's voice cooled.
"I mind being accused of something ridiculous."
"I didn't accuse you."
"You didn't have to."
He hung up.
Nathan looked at Owen.
"Get a court order if we can."
Meanwhile, Victoria was released pending formal charging review because she claimed self-defense and there was no video.
Nathan banned her from the estate.
She stood in the driveway with her attorney.
"You're choosing a maid over me?"
Nathan walked closer.
"I'm choosing the woman you hit and the child you threatened."
"That girl isn't yours."
"How do you know?"
Victoria froze.
Nathan stepped closer.
"I never told you about the negative DNA report."
Her attorney closed his eyes.
Victoria realized the mistake.
Too late.
"My mother told me years ago."
Grace stepped onto the porch.
"Years ago?"
Victoria looked at her.
Grace's voice became quiet.
"You knew Lily existed before tonight."
Victoria's expression answered before she did.
Nathan felt something inside him go cold.
"How long?"
Victoria said nothing.
"HOW LONG?"
She flinched.
"Since before we got engaged."
Nathan stepped back.
Their entire relationship changed shape in one sentence.
Then Owen's phone buzzed.
He read the message.
"Sir."
Nathan turned.
"Robert agreed to provide DNA."
"Good."
Owen looked disturbed.
"There's more. The lab compared his sample to yours."
Nathan waited.
May you like
Owen swallowed.
"Robert isn't your uncle."
