Chapter 8 - Blood Doesn't Make a FamilyDominic refused to accept the conclusion without proof.
He arranged a confidential DNA test through an independent laboratory.
Fay agreed, though the idea left her shaken.
"I don't know what I want the answer to be," she admitted.
Dominic looked at her.
"Neither do I."
For the first time, they were both afraid of what the truth might cost them.
While they waited, Fay began remembering details from her childhood.
Her mother had kept no photographs of Fay as a newborn. She had always said the hospital had lost them.
She had also refused to discuss Fay's biological father.
When Fay was little, she used to ask why they never visited relatives.
Her mother would answer, "Because some people believe money gives them the right to own everyone they love."
Fay had assumed it was about her father's family.
Now she wondered whether Margaret Willis had been protecting her from the Corso family all along.
Meanwhile, Vincent accelerated his takeover.
He filed an emergency petition claiming Dominic was incapable of managing his affairs. The hearing was scheduled for the following morning.
If Vincent won, he would control the company and the estate.
He would also gain access to every medical and legal record connected to Elena's daughter.
Dominic called his attorney.
"We need to stop the hearing."
"We need evidence," the attorney replied. "The footage is inconclusive, and Carmine's testimony could be challenged."
"Then find something stronger."
Fay remembered the flash drive discovered behind the bookcase.
She asked Carmine to retrieve it from the locked safe.
The drive contained an encrypted recording.
After hours of work, a technician managed to recover part of the audio.
Vincent's voice emerged from the speakers.
"If Dominic dies, the company transfers to me. If he survives, we use the guardianship petition."
Another voice responded.
"And the girl?"
Vincent answered without hesitation.
"She stays where she is. Nobody tells her who she is."
Fay covered her mouth.
Dominic's expression became murderous.
The recording continued.
Then a third voice spoke.
A voice Fay recognized from childhood.
Her mother's.
"Vincent, you promised she would be safe."
The recording ended.
Fay felt the room spin.
Her mother had known Vincent.
She had been involved in whatever happened to Elena's child.
Before she could ask another question, the laboratory called.
The DNA results were ready.
Dominic opened the report with shaking hands.
The probability of a biological parent-child relationship was greater than 99.9 percent.
Fay was his daughter.
For a long time, neither spoke.
Then Dominic reached toward her, stopped, and lowered his hand.
"I don't know how to be your father."
Fay's eyes filled with tears.
"I don't know how to have one."
He swallowed.
"I can't give you back the years we lost."
"No."
"I can't undo what my family did."
"No."
"Then what can I do?"
Fay looked at the man in the wheelchair.
"You can stop them from doing it to anyone else."
He nodded slowly.
Then he looked toward the door.
"Tomorrow, we're going to court."
Fay wiped her tears.
"Together?"
"Together."
But as they prepared to leave, a message appeared on Dominic's phone.
It contained a photograph of Fay standing outside the estate gates on her first day.
May you like
Beneath it were eight words.
Tell your daughter what her mother really did.
