Chapter 7 - DANIEL LEARNS THE TRUTH
Daniel did not believe Claire immediately.
He accused her:
“You forged this.”
She expected that.
So she gave copies to his attorney.
Certified adoption decree.
Amended birth certificate.
Original hospital record.
Elaine’s letter.
Daniel requested the sealed adoption file through proper legal channels.
Weeks later, confirmation came.
Margaret and Robert had adopted him legally at age three.
Elaine Hale was his biological mother.
Peter Lawson was likely his biological father based on records, but no formal paternity adjudication had occurred.
Daniel sat in a lawyer’s conference room.
Margaret across from him.
“Why?”
She cried.
“I was afraid.”
“Of what?”
“That you’d think I wasn’t your mother.”
Daniel laughed bitterly.
“You solved that by lying?”
“I raised you.”
“Yes.”
“I loved you.”
“Yes.”
“Then why isn’t that enough now?”
Margaret froze.
Daniel leaned forward.
“If raising me made you my mother, why did you spend my whole life saying sons carry blood?”
May you like
Margaret covered her face.
Daniel had found the contradiction immediately.
