Chapter 6 - THE TWINS
Ethan wanted answers immediately.
Mara refused.
“Not in front of them.”
Noah said:
“We’re standing right here.”
Mara looked at him.
“You shouldn’t have to carry every adult detail.”
The boys knew some things.
Their mother had been married once.
Their biological father was wealthy.
He did not know they existed.
That was all.
Mara never told them Ethan abandoned them.
Because he had not.
She said:
“I left before he knew.”
Now Noah stared at Ethan with anger built from absence even without blame.
Lucas looked more curious.
Ethan asked Mara:
“Were you pregnant when you left?”
“Yes.”
“Did you know?”
“Yes.”
He closed his eyes.
“How far?”
“Eight weeks.”
His hands began shaking.
Then he looked at the boys.
“Can I…”
He stopped.
No entitlement.
“Can I know your names?”
“Noah,” one said.
“Lucas,” the other.
Ethan repeated them quietly.
Then Celeste said:
“This proves nothing.”
Everyone turned.
She looked desperate now.
“Gray eyes prove nothing. Timing proves nothing.”
Mara nodded.
“She’s right.”
Ethan looked at her.
Mara continued:
“We can do legal paternity testing.”
Celeste stared at her.
That calm frightened her more than accusation.
Then Mara handed the recorder to Ethan.
“No.”
He frowned.
“Why not?”
“Because it goes to my attorney first.”
“You have an attorney?”
“Now I do.”
For the first time Ethan understood Mara had not summoned Celeste impulsively.
She had prepared.
The roadside stand was not an ambush.
It was where Mara felt safest.
Open air.
Customers nearby.
Her sons within sight.
Her phone already connected to counsel before Celeste arrived.
Then sirens sounded in the distance.
Celeste looked at Mara.
“You called police?”
May you like
Mara answered:
“I called before you touched the first watermelon.”
