Chapter 28 - The TestThe hospital room was too familiar.
Grant hated that.
Same fluorescent lights.
Same monitors.
Same antiseptic smell.
Different child.
Grace slept in Hannah’s arms while Daniel sat across from them.
“The initial screening showed a marker associated with a metabolic disorder.”
Grant stared.
“Associated means what?”
“It means we test again.”
“Does she have it?”
“We don't know.”
“Can it hurt her?”
“Grant.”
Hannah touched his knee.
He stopped.
Daniel continued.
“If confirmed, it’s manageable. But we need additional blood work.”
Grant looked at Grace.
His daughter yawned.
Completely unaware.
He wanted to buy the hospital.
He wanted twenty specialists.
He wanted every laboratory in America running the sample simultaneously.
Instead:
“What do you need from us?”
Daniel smiled slightly.
“Blood samples from both parents.”
Hannah held out her arm.
Grant did too.
Three hours later, the genetic counselor entered.
She looked confused.
That frightened Hannah.
“What?”
The counselor sat.
“Grace’s repeat screening is normal.”
Grant nearly collapsed.
Hannah exhaled.
“Then what’s wrong?”
“Nothing appears wrong with Grace.”
“But?”
The counselor looked at Grant.
“Your sample showed something unexpected.”
Grant frowned.
“What?”
“We compared certain inherited markers.”
Hannah understood first.
“Oh.”
Grant looked between them.
“What?”
The counselor continued carefully.
“Mr. Whitmore, the available genetic markers are inconsistent with Walter Whitmore being your biological father.”
Silence.
Grant stared.
Then laughed.
Nobody joined him.
“You’re serious.”
“Yes.”
Hannah reached for his hand.
Grant pulled away.
Not from her.
From everything.
“No.”
The counselor explained limitations.
Confirmation required formal testing.
Screening markers were not definitive paternity tests.
Grant barely heard.
Walter was not his father?
Then who was?
He walked into the hallway.
Hannah followed.
“Grant.”
He leaned against the wall.
“Everything is a lie.”
“Not everything.”
“My brother. My childhood. Dad. Now this?”
“We don't know yet.”
“Gabriel.”
Hannah froze.
Grant looked at her.
“If Walter wasn't my biological father, was he Gabriel’s?”
“Twins usually have the same biological father.”
“Usually?”
“Grant.”
He laughed again.
“Fantastic. I finally discover a twin and now biology has decided to become interesting.”
Despite herself, Hannah smiled.
Grant looked offended.
“You’re laughing?”
“You make jokes when terrified.”
“I do not.”
“You absolutely do.”
He looked through the nursery window.
Grace slept peacefully.
His expression softened.
Then he understood something.
“What if my father knew?”
Hannah’s smile disappeared.
Grant called Margaret.
She answered.
“Is Grace okay?”
“Yes.”
Margaret exhaled.
“Thank God.”
“Mom.”
Something in his voice made her quiet.
“Was Walter my biological father?”
Silence.
Grant closed his eyes.
Again.
Always silence before the truth.
“Mom.”
Margaret whispered:
“No.”
Grant sat down.
Hannah crouched beside him.
“Who was?”
Margaret began crying.
“A man named Thomas Reed.”
Grant frowned.
“Reed?”
Hannah’s eyes widened.
Gabriel Reed.
Not merely an adoptive surname.
Margaret continued.
“He was the brother of the man who raised Gabriel.”
Grant’s entire history shifted beneath him.
May you like
Then Margaret said:
“And Walter knew from the beginning.”
