Chapter 7 - The Verdict of Blood
The medical courier entered the study, handing Julian a sealed gray envelope marked with the emblem of Columbia Presbyterian’s private forensic laboratory. Julian tore the wax seal, unfolding the thick parchment inside.
Elena stood motionless, her posture erect, her breathing calm. She had no fear of the science; her only concern was the time being stolen from Clara.
Julian’s eyes scanned the complex allele markers down to the concluding summary. He read the line twice: Probability of biological maternity: 99.998%.
He lowered the document. The stoic, untouchable facade that Julian had maintained for years finally cracked. A heavy breath escaped his chest, followed by a profound, shuddering sigh.
"It’s you," he whispered, looking up at her. "It was always you."
"Did you really need a machine to tell you who held your daughter this morning, Julian?" Elena asked softly.
Before he could answer, Victoria burst into the room, flanked by two corporate attorneys. "Julian, Callahan has filed an emergency injunction. We are moving Clara to a protective facility until this woman's identity is adjudicated in federal court."
Julian folded the lab report neatly and set it on the desk. He walked slowly toward Victoria, his presence towering, cold, and absolute.
May you like
"Marcus Thorne is sitting behind me, Victoria," Julian said, his voice dropping to a dangerous register. "The Hudson National Bank vault has just been opened by the district attorney’s fraud unit. And this report confirms that my wife is standing in this room."
Victoria’s face drained of all color. The polished confidence she wore like armor dissolved into sheer panic.
