Chapter 9
Victoria said, "Sophia, everyone knows what happened in the chairman's office. Can you still handle the project?"
"Whether I can or not, we'll see how it turns out. Your opinion doesn't matter," I replied.
"Fine, Sophia, Maisie's already working on her own proposal. If you're on the project, you'll be competing against her. We'll see who comes out on top."
"Fair game," I said. "I'm in."
I hung up.
Leaning back in my chair, I closed my eyes for a moment.
Then I reopened my laptop and got back to work on the proposal.
If they wanted a competition, I'd give them one they couldn't win.
For the next two days, I spent my days taking care of Charles and worked on the proposal at night.
Once the fever finally broke, he was feeling much better, eating and playing by himself again.
He never once complained. Whenever he saw me frowning at my laptop, he'd just sit quietly next to me, playing with his blocks, never causing any trouble.
On the third day, my phone buzzed with two messages at once.
The first was from Dr. Norris.
[The paternity test results are in. Ms. Miller wants you at the office tomorrow at 10 A.M.]
The second was from an unknown number.
[Hi Sophia, it's Josie Stone. I'll be at Ms. Miller's office at 10 A.M. tomorrow too. Let's settle this face to face.]
I stared at the two messages for a long time.
How did Josie know the paternity test results had come in?
How did she know the meeting was set for 10 A.M. tomorrow?
Why was she planning to show up at Ms. Miller's office?
Only one explanation made sense.
Someone had tipped her off.
And it was either Bella or Ethan.
I dropped Charles off at my neighbor Mrs. Carter's place, asking her to look after him for the day.
The next morning, I put on a crisp black shirt dress and headed out.
At 9:55 A.M., I arrived on the 42nd floor.
Bella's office door was closed.
At the door stood someone I didn't recognize, not Michael, but a young female secretary.
"Ms. Lane, Ms. Miller is expecting you. Please go in," she said.
I pushed the door open.
There were more people in the office than I expected.
Bella was behind her desk.
Ryan was sitting on the sofa to the left, holding a folder.
Chandler stood by the window, hands in his pockets.
Josie was sitting on the sofa to the right, legs crossed, holding a cup of coffee.
When I walked in, Josie lifted her chin just a bit and gave me a knowing smile.
Everyone was there.
Everyone except Ethan.
"Where's Ethan?" I asked.
No one answered.
Bella glanced at me but didn't answer.
"Sit down," she said.
I didn't sit.
"I told you, I want him here when the results are announced," I said.
"He's on his way," Bella said.
"When will he get here?"
"Sophia, just sit down."
I stared at her for a moment, and then eventually sat in the chair nearest to the door.
Ryan opened the folder and pulled out a report.
"This is the paternity test result," she said.
She glanced at Bella.
Bella nodded.
Ryan unfolded the report and read out the conclusion.
"The test results confirm that Charles Miller is Ethan Miller's biological son. The paternity index is 99.99%."
The office went quiet for a moment.
Josie set down her coffee cup, her smile didn't fade.
Chandler let out a soft sigh at the window.
Bella's expression didn't change.
"So Charles really is Ethan's kid," she said, stating the obvious.
"Yeah, obviously," I shot back, even more obvious.
Ryan closed the report.
Josie spoke up just then.
"Aunt Bella, now that the results are out, I'm going to be upfront," she said.
She stood up, straightened her coat, and walked over to me.
She looked down at me.
"Sophia, don't blame me for being blunt. I've known Ethan for almost ten years. There are things about him I know way better than you do," Josie said.
"You really think just because you have his kid and a piece of paper, that makes you one of the Millers?
"Bet Ethan never told you this, but two months ago, he already agreed with my dad to get engaged to me before the year's out."
I sat in my chair and looked up at her.
"Are you done?" I asked.
"Not yet," she said, leaning in a little closer.
"That confidentiality agreement was Ethan's idea. It's his way of protecting you. If you just stay quiet and don't cause any trouble, you'll get every cent you're owed.
"But if you insist on stirring things up and making a mess, Ethan won't be the one who ends up looking bad.
"It'll be you and your son."
I looked her straight in the eyes.
We were so close.
Close enough that I could see the exact shade of her eyeshadow.
I stood up.
She took a half-step back.
"Josie, you're not here to give me advice," I said.
"You're here to stake your claim."
Her smile finally showed a crack.
"If that's how you want to see it," she said.
"Then let me make something clear to you," I said.
I pulled a piece of paper out of my bag, unfolded it, and slapped it down on the table beside us.
My marriage certificate.
Not a copy.
The original.