Chapter 14: The Blood Test
The truth came out slowly.
Almost painfully.
Victoria revealed that Richard had manipulated hospital records after Ethan was born.
He had searched for a way to connect himself to my family.
But why?
That was still the missing piece.
Until the DNA test.
The detective arranged a private comparison.
Richard’s claim.
Ethan’s blood.
The truth.
I hated that we needed a test.
Because to me, Ethan’s place in my life had never needed proof.
But the world outside our home demanded it.
So we waited.
The longest forty-eight hours of my life.
During that time, Ethan asked me a question I will never forget.
“Dad?””
“Yes?””
“If the test says he’s my father…”
I looked at him.
“What?””
“Will you leave?””
My heart broke.
“Never.””
“But what if everyone says I belong with him?””
I shook my head.
“People can say whatever they want.””
I held his shoulders.
“You are not a thing someone can claim.””
He looked at me.
“You promise?””
“I promise.””
The results came on a rainy morning.
The detective arrived at our house.
Everyone was silent.
Even Sarah.
Even Victoria.
The detective opened the envelope.
“Richard is not Ethan’s biological father.””
I exhaled.
But then he continued.
“However…”
My stomach tightened.
“However what?””
He looked at Sarah.
“The test confirmed something else.””
I felt cold.
“What?””
The detective handed me another paper.
“The sample comparison shows Ethan’s biological family connection is with Daniel’s father.””
I stared.
“What does that mean?””
Sarah started crying.
The detective answered.
“It means your father was related to Ethan.””
I looked at the paper.
Then at Ethan.
Then at Sarah.
My father.
My family.
The letter.
Everything was connecting.
“He was my brother’s child,” I whispered.
Sarah nodded.
“No.””
I looked at her.
“No?””
She shook her head.
“Your father didn’t raise Ethan.””
I froze.
“Then who?””
Nobody answered.
The silence was terrifying.
Then Victoria spoke.
“Daniel…”
Her voice trembled.
“There’s something Richard never wanted you to know.””
“What?””
She looked at Ethan.
“Your mother had another child.””
I stared.
“What are you saying?””
Sarah covered her mouth.
Because she knew.
Victoria continued.
“Before Ethan.””
A cold feeling moved through me.
“Impossible.””
Victoria shook her head.
“Your father protected him.””
“Who?””
She whispered:
“Richard.””
I felt dizzy.
“No.””
“Daniel…”
“No.””
Because that would mean Richard wasn’t chasing Ethan because he was his son.
He was chasing him because he knew the truth.
I looked at Ethan.
Then at Sarah.
“Tell me.””
Sarah broke down.
“I couldn’t.””
“Tell me!””
She cried.
“Ethan is not your biological son.””
The words hurt.
Even though I had prepared myself.
But then she said:
“He is your brother’s son.””
I froze.
“My brother?””
Sarah nodded.
“You had a brother.””
I stared.
“I don’t have a brother.””
She looked at me with tears.
“Because your parents erased him from your life.””
That night, I searched through every family document.
And I found a photograph.
A boy standing beside me.
A boy I didn’t remember.
A boy who looked exactly like Ethan.
On the back of the photo were four words.
“Protect him from Richard.””
I turned the picture over.
And underneath the writing was a date.
The same date my parents told me my brother died.
But he didn’t.
Because another document was hidden behind it.
A birth certificate.
A different name.
A different child.
My brother had survived.
And somehow…
he was connected to Richard.
My phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number.
A photograph appeared.
A man standing beside Richard.
Older.
Scarred.
Alive.
May you like
The caption read:
“Your brother wants to meet you.””
