Chapter 4 - THE SECOND RESULT
The official DNA collection happened the next morning.
Ava.
Lily.
Liam.
Identity verified.
Swabs collected by a third party.
Sealed.
Documented chain of custody.
Liam looked exhausted.
Ava did not look at him.
Forty-eight hours later, Rachel called.
“Come to my office.”
Ava arrived with Lily.
Liam came separately.
Rachel placed the report face down.
Then looked at Liam.
“You understand this is independent?”
“Yes.”
She turned it over.
Probability of paternity:
99.9998%.
Liam stared.
No movement.
Ava closed her eyes.
Not relief.
She already knew.
Vindication can still feel disgusting when the accusation required a test.
Liam whispered:
“No.”
Rachel answered:
“Yes.”
He picked up the report.
Read the markers.
Then again.
“How?”
Ava looked at him.
“That’s your first question?”
Liam’s face collapsed.
He looked at Lily.
Ava immediately stood.
“Don’t.”
“I just—”
“Don’t touch her.”
He stopped.
Then:
“I thought…”
Ava’s voice sharpened.
“You thought a report gave you permission.”
“No.”
“You kicked a one-year-old child.”
Liam covered his face.
For the first time, there was no arrogance left.
Only consequence.
Then Rachel pointed to the internal Davies report.
“Now we find out why this exists.”
Liam looked up.
May you like
That question threatened more than his marriage.
It threatened his company.
