Chapter 6 - DNAThe next morning, I took Ethan to school as usual.
I smiled.
I packed his lunch.
I kissed his forehead.
I acted normal.
Inside, I was coming apart.
At 10:15 a.m., I sat in a private laboratory across town.
I had ordered a DNA test.
Not because I didn't believe Ethan was my son.
I knew he was.
But I needed evidence.
Evidence that nobody could twist.
I gave the laboratory the samples.
Then I went home.
Daniel was waiting.
“You went somewhere.”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“You know where.”
He looked toward my purse.
“What did you do?”
“I ordered a DNA test.”
He closed his eyes.
“Rachel…”
“I need the truth.”
“I told you the truth.”
“No.”
I looked at him.
“You told me pieces.”
He didn't respond.
The phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
“Hello?”
A woman's voice said:
“You're digging too far.”
My blood ran cold.
“Who is this?”
“You know.”
“Melissa?”
A laugh.
“You always were smarter than Daniel gave you credit for.”
I stood.
“Where are my children?”
“Safe.”
“Where?”
“They're not your children.”
I tightened my grip on the phone.
“Jason and Alyssa aren't mine biologically.”
“And Ethan?”
Silence.
Then Melissa said:
“Ask Daniel.”
The call ended.
I immediately checked the security cameras.
The footage froze.
Someone had hacked the system.
I ran upstairs.
Ethan's room.
Empty.
My heart stopped.
“ETHAN!”
I ran through the hallway.
Nothing.
Then I heard the garage door open.
I sprinted downstairs.
Daniel was standing there.
Ethan was beside him.
“Mom!”
I grabbed my son.
“What happened?”
“He was with the neighbor,” Daniel said.
I looked at him.
“No.”
“What?”
“You're lying.”
His face changed.
“What?”
“I watched the cameras.”
He froze.
“The feed was cut.”
“I don't know anything about that.”
“Someone called me.”
“Who?”
“Melissa.”
Daniel went pale.
“What did she say?”
“That Jason and Alyssa aren't the only children involved.”
He looked at Ethan.
Then at me.
“What else did she say?”
“Ask Daniel.”
He closed his eyes.
I stepped forward.
“What does that mean?”
He didn't answer.
My phone buzzed.
A text message.
One photo.
Daniel and Melissa.
Standing together outside the hospital.
The night Ethan was born.
Another message followed.
Your husband has never told you the whole story.
Then a second photograph appeared.
Melissa holding a newborn baby.
Not Ethan.
Another baby.
I stared at the screen.
The date was the same.
Same hospital.
Same night.
I looked at Daniel.
“Who is that baby?”
His face collapsed.
I had never seen fear like that.
“Rachel…”
“Who?”
He whispered:
“Her name is Lily.”
“Who is Lily?”
Daniel looked at Ethan.
Then at me.
May you like
And said:
“She died before sunrise.”
