His Secret Son, Her Silent Rage

the lab felt c

ear-old daught

fair a few months ago. They did

udly showing me her car

and, was Type

e for us to have

stake. A school fair, vol

stayed. A smal

test. Discreetly. A

were in th

, is excluded as the biological

ath st

rds bl

not my

like it was tilting.

hter. M

bies, scraped knee

li

re life

home from work. The DNA rep

g, loosening his tie

e paper. "What

d it up.

nge much. A flicker

mistake. Some fly-by-night lab trying to drum

I checked the lab. It's re

Sat down. T

there must be an explanation. A mix-up at the hospital

s so calm. S

e. We'll sort it out." He squeezed my hands.

He said it

I didn't know wh

t was on the

nched the st

wave of pain so

. I had drifted i

back, hear

d over,

on felt too smoot

id "mix-up at

eep suspici

t, I coul

t soundly

ome office. He took i

left for a golf game, I bou

der his lar

g it. Like a spy

had to

t evening, after

Talking to his execu

rfect for Veronica's arrival. She'

oni

od ran

find out about the long-term contraceptives Dr. Albright

on. Our fi

e was stillborn. A tr

ptives?

felt like I co

was being

down my face,

office, the recording pla

o deep. So

und me on the sofa, sta

okay? You

His hand was warm. His

t calmly discussed

rose in

smile. "Just t

out for a bit. Just some final checks on the guest

I heard him whistling

of expensive cologne,

it up." H

eave. Eager to go

ft, I went

a Bell.

peared. A biot

h sharp, intelligent

th white roses. B

al acquaintance, years ago, a blurry

illiant Veronica. May your path a

n had filled it

our pure love, C

All

n't for me. Th

rage fi

nd the number for a 24-

crew. Tonight.

hite rose bush ripped

was ste

w working outside wa

ots. The thud of

NA report, the recorder, my lapto

eded

My best friend from c

ra. I'm in troub

blood type. The DNA. The

ntly. Her voice wa

all the evidence you can. Document ev

careful. Ethan

ling a tiny sp

ght. I neede

ifted to L

few months ago. An old col

aft brewery i

im vaguely. Qu

a different life.

foolish

ere. A small

bush being ripped from th

the thor