Chapter 6 - The Blood TestI met Marcus at the beach at midnight.
Nathan stayed behind.
At least, that's what I thought.
The moon reflected across the water.
Marcus stood near the pier.
He looked like the boy I'd raised.
Same shoulders.
Same eyes.
Same nervous habit of rubbing his thumb against his palm.
“Mom.”
I stopped ten feet away.
“Where's Lauren?”
“At the house.”
“Is she safe?”
He looked away.
“That depends.”
“On what?”
“On you.”
I felt sick.
“What did you mean by your message?”
He walked closer.
“Dad left you something.”
“I know.”
His face tightened.
“The basement?”
“How did you know?”
“Because Lauren found it.”
“She found it?”
“She has been looking for it for months.”
“Why?”
“She thinks there's something inside.”
“What?”
He shook his head.
“You won't believe me.”
“Try me.”
Marcus looked at the ocean.
“Dad made me take a DNA test when I was twenty-three.”
My heart stopped.
“Why?”
“He already knew the answer.”
I stared at him.
“Marcus…”
“I’m not his biological son.”
The words landed like a physical blow.
“I don't care.”
He looked surprised.
“What?”
“You're my son.”
His eyes filled.
For one second, the angry man from the beach house disappeared.
He was my little boy again.
Then he said quietly:
“That's what Dad said.”
I swallowed hard.
“He always called me his son.”
“Because you were.”
Marcus pulled an envelope from his jacket.
He handed it to me.
Inside was a DNA report.
The biological father was listed.
Richard Vale.
I looked up.
“Why didn't Harold ever tell me?”
“Because he loved you.”
“And you?”
He flinched.
“That's complicated.”
“You helped Lauren lock me out.”
“I did.”
“You asked Daniel for my estate documents.”
His expression changed.
“What did he tell you?”
I ignored the question.
“You've been planning this.”
Marcus looked down.
“I was trying to protect you.”
“By stealing my home?”
“Not stealing.”
“Then what?”
He hesitated.
“The people behind this are bigger than Lauren.”
“Who?”
“Richard.”
“Your biological father.”
“Yes.”
“Why does he want my house?”
Marcus took a long breath.
“Because Harold found out what Richard had done.”
“What?”
“He used shell companies to acquire coastal land through fraudulent claims.”
“And the beach house?”
Marcus nodded.
“Your property contains records that prove it.”
I stared at him.
“So that's why.”
“That's why Lauren wanted control.”
“Why is she involved?”
Marcus's silence told me enough.
“She works for Richard.”
“Yes.”
My stomach turned.
“How long?”
“I don't know.”
“You knew?”
“Not at first.”
“When did you find out?”
“Three months ago.”
“And you stayed with her?”
“I thought I could control the situation.”
“You couldn't.”
“No.”
“Clearly.”
Marcus looked away.
“I’m sorry.”
The apology came too late.
“Where is Lauren now?”
“At the house.”
“Then we're going back.”
Marcus grabbed my arm.
“No.”
“Why?”
“She knows you have the folder.”
My heart stopped.
“How?”
“She saw you leave the motel.”
A car door slammed somewhere behind us.
Marcus turned.
I looked toward the road.
Black SUV.
Engine running.
Nathan stepped out.
He had followed me.
Marcus swore.
“Mom, get behind me.”
The SUV accelerated.
Straight toward us.
May you like
I heard Marcus shout.
Then the headlights swallowed everything.
