didn’t attend when he received the result.
Gabriela called me.
“Ready?”
“Yes.”
“They’re his.”
I closed my eyes.
Even though I had never doubted it, hearing confirmation released something I’d been carrying for almost a year.
“Both?”
“Both.”
“Yes.”
Then she paused.
“And Laura?”
“What?”
“His attorney contacted us. He wants to discuss withdrawing some of his allegations and reaching a reasonable settlement.”
I laughed.
Of course he did.
Now that DNA had transformed his accusations into documented humiliation, he wanted reason.
PART 8 — THE OTHER PATERNITY RESULT
Three months later, I ran into Paula outside Gabriela’s building.
She was holding a baby carrier.
I stopped.
Inside was a tiny boy with dark hair.
Paula looked exhausted.
But different.
The smug woman from the coffee shop was gone.
“His name is Lucas,” she said.
I nodded.
“He’s beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
We stood awkwardly.
Then she said:
“The test came back.”
