Chapter 10 - PATERNITY
The paternity test happened through an accredited laboratory.
Ethan did not demand it.
Mara suggested it.
The boys agreed after speaking with a family counselor.
Noah said:
“I already know what it’ll say.”
Lucas answered:
“Then the paper won’t hurt.”
Results:
Ethan Cole was overwhelmingly confirmed as the biological father of both boys.
Ethan read the report alone first.
Then asked if he could see them.
Mara agreed to a supervised family meeting.
Not because Ethan was dangerous.
Because fourteen years of absence creates emotional risk even without wrongdoing.
Ethan brought nothing.
No watches.
No laptops.
No giant gifts.
Lucas asked:
“Are you really a billionaire?”
Ethan sighed.
“Yes.”
Noah asked:
“Did you know about us?”
“No.”
“Did you know Mom was pregnant?”
“No.”
Noah looked at Mara.
She nodded.
Truth.
Then Noah asked:
“If you knew, would you have wanted us?”
Ethan’s face broke.
“Yes.”
Too fast.
Noah flinched.
Ethan corrected:
“I believe I would have. But you deserved more than a hypothetical answer.”
Better.
Then:
“I can tell you what I know now.”
“What?”
“I want to know you.”
Noah looked away.
Lucas asked:
“Do we have to call you Dad?”
“No.”
May you like
Immediate.
That answer helped more than money ever could.
