Chapter 8: The DNA Test That Changed Everything
Brianna remained outside for several minutes.
Nobody opened the door.
My father stood motionless, staring at the photograph in her hand.
Finally, he spoke.
"Let her inside.""
Mom immediately shook her head.
"Daniel, have you lost your mind?""
"She deserves answers.""
"She brought Derek here this morning!""
"I know.""
"And she stole the envelope!""
"I know that too.""
He looked at me.
"But if Richard has been lying to her as well, we need to find out why.""
I didn't trust Brianna.
Not after what she'd done to my mother.
But I wanted answers.
I unlocked the door while keeping the security chain attached.
"You're coming in alone.""
Brianna nodded.
"Fine.""
I checked the porch.
No Derek.
No Richard.
Just Brianna and the photograph.
I let her enter.
She looked around the damaged living room.
For the first time, her expression showed something resembling shame.
"Did Derek do this?"" she asked.
Mom answered coldly.
"You tell me.""
Brianna looked down.
"He was looking for the envelope.""
"You knew what was inside?""
"No.""
Mom's voice sharpened.
"Then why did you take it?""
Brianna swallowed.
"Because my father told me to.""
My father stepped forward.
"Richard?""
She nodded.
"He said the envelope contained evidence that could destroy our family.""
Mom laughed bitterly.
"Your family destroyed mine first.""
Brianna looked at her.
"I know.""
"Do you?""
Brianna placed the photograph on the table.
"I didn't know about the salon. I didn't tell Derek to hurt you.""
"You cut my hair.""
Brianna looked down.
"I thought it would embarrass you. I wanted Naomi to feel uncomfortable.""
Mom stared at her.
"You wanted to humiliate an old woman because she wouldn't obey you?""
Brianna's eyes filled.
"I didn't think Derek would push you.""
"That doesn't excuse what you did.""
"I know.""
My father interrupted.
"Why did you bring that photograph?""
Brianna turned toward him.
"Because I found something in Richard's office.""
She opened her handbag and removed a folded envelope.
Inside were photocopies of hospital records, an old insurance document, and a handwritten note.
She placed them on the table.
"My mother gave birth to me in December 1996. According to these records, my biological father was Daniel Hayes.""
My father stared at the papers.
"Where did you get these?""
"Richard's locked filing cabinet.""
"How did you get into it?""
"I have a key.""
She hesitated.
"Actually, I have had the key for years.""
I frowned.
"Why?""
"Because Richard told me one day I'd understand why I needed to keep certain things safe.""
My father examined the documents.
One of the pages carried a hospital stamp.
The other was a DNA testing request dated January 1997.
But the results section had been torn away.
"These aren't enough," he said.
Brianna nodded.
"I know.""
She looked at me.
"I want a DNA test.""
I folded my arms.
"Why should I believe you?""
"Because if I'm lying, you'll find out.""
"That doesn't explain why you helped Richard.""
Her eyes hardened.
"Because he raised me.""
She looked toward the window.
"He told me Daniel was a criminal who abandoned my mother. He said your mother knew about me and refused to let Daniel take responsibility.""
Mom looked stunned.
"That's a lie.""
"I know that now.""
Brianna reached into her handbag again.
She removed a small photograph.
It showed Patricia holding a baby.
Behind her stood Richard.
And beside them was my father.
My father looked younger, but unmistakably himself.
On the back was a date.
December 21, 1996.
He stared at it.
"I was there.""
Brianna looked up.
"You remember?""
"Yes.""
Mom's face changed.
"You told me you were working in Sacramento that weekend.""
My father closed his eyes.
"I lied.""
Mom turned away.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then she whispered:
"You were there when she was born.""
He nodded.
"I held her.""
Brianna's eyes filled.
"Then why didn't you come back?""
My father looked at her.
"Because Richard told me Patricia had moved away. He said you were safe and that I would only hurt you by staying.""
Brianna laughed through her tears.
"He told me you never wanted me.""
My father reached toward her.
She stepped back.
"Don't.""
He lowered his hand.
"I understand.""
I watched them.
Two people connected by blood, standing in the same room after nearly thirty years of lies.
Then I remembered something.
"Why did you destroy Mom's braid?""
Brianna looked at me.
"I told you. I wanted to embarrass her.""
"No. I mean why that morning? Why were you so desperate to get the envelope?""
She hesitated.
Then she pulled a photograph from her handbag.
It showed the envelope in my mother's purse.
Taken inside our house.
I felt cold.
"When was this taken?""
"Last week.""
"Who took it?""
"Richard.""
I stared at her.
"He was inside our house?""
"No. Someone photographed it through the front window.""
My father stepped forward.
"Why didn't you tell us?""
"Because Richard said he needed the envelope before the wedding. He told me there was a document inside proving Daniel had another daughter.""
My mother looked at her.
"And you believed him?""
Brianna's voice cracked.
"I wanted to know who my father was.""
My father sat down.
"You could have asked.""
"I did. For years.""
He looked devastated.
Brianna continued.
"Every time I asked, Richard told me you were dead. Then, last year, I found a photograph of you in his office.""
She pointed at my father.
"He had written your name on the back. Daniel Hayes. Alive.""
My father closed his eyes.
"Richard knew.""
"Yes.""
"How long?""
"At least six years.""
I thought about Brandon.
Three years.
The timeline suddenly made sense.
Richard had known my father was alive long before Brandon proposed.
But why had he waited?
Brianna answered as if she'd heard my thoughts.
"Richard needed Naomi to inherit the land. He couldn't challenge the trust while Daniel was alive. So he decided to get close to her through Brandon.""
My stomach turned.
"And you knew about the plan?""
"I knew Brandon was supposed to marry you. I didn't know the full reason until recently.""
"Why didn't you stop him?""
Brianna looked at me.
"Because I thought if I helped Richard, he'd finally tell me the truth about my father.""
I shook my head.
"You destroyed my mother's hair for a man who had been lying to you your entire life.""
She lowered her eyes.
"I know.""
Mom stood.
"Then you can start by telling the police what happened at the salon.""
Brianna nodded.
"I will.""
My phone rang.
Victor Bennett.
I answered.
"Naomi, I need you to come to my office tomorrow morning. We've found something important in the trust documents.""
"What?""
"Your grandfather included a clause that neither Richard nor Daniel mentioned.""
My father looked up.
"What clause?""
Victor continued.
"The property cannot be transferred unless both surviving children of Daniel Hayes approve the transaction.""
I looked at Brianna.
She went pale.
"Both children?""
"Yes. Naomi and Brianna.""
My father slowly stood.
"That clause was supposed to protect the girls.""
Victor's voice became quieter.
"There's a problem, Daniel. Richard has already filed a motion claiming that one of the children is legally ineligible to inherit.""
"Which one?""
"Naomi.""
I felt the room spin.
"On what grounds?""
Victor hesitated.
"He's claiming that Naomi's birth certificate is fraudulent.""
Mom grabbed the table.
"What?""
Victor continued.
"Richard's attorneys are arguing that Naomi was adopted under a false identity in 1997.""
I looked at my mother.
"Mom, what is he talking about?""
She couldn't meet my eyes.
My father whispered her name.
"Miriam.""
She began crying.
Then she looked at me and said:
"Naomi, there's something about your birth that I never told you.""
I felt my heart pounding.
"What?""
Mom reached for the photograph of Patricia and the baby.
"Your father wasn't the only one who had a child in 1996.""
May you like
She looked directly at me.
"Your biological mother wasn't me.""
