Chapter 2
Charles froze, and the lobster slipped from his hands, crashing to the floor.
Max jumped in fright, let out a big wail, and started bawling.
"Sophie. Are you insane?" Charles shouted, jabbing a finger at me. "All this over a stupid joke? Is this really necessary? You really want to haul us off to the hospital?
"How's Julie supposed to show her face after this? And what about me? How am I supposed to face anyone around here now?"
Julia was flustered, grabbing Max and bursting into tears. "Sophie, I'm sorry, I said it without thinking.
"There's nothing between Charlie and me, we haven't done anything wrong. How could you embarrass us like this? Max is a kid, he doesn't even understand."
Crying, she looked at Charles for help, her eyes full of helplessness.
"Embarrass you?" I took out my phone, opened an app, and tapped a few times. "Getting the truth out is the best way to clear your name. If you really haven't done anything, this paternity test is your best proof.
"So what are you afraid of? I've already booked a rush home test from GenCore Labs. If you think going to the hospital is too embarrassing, they'll come right to our door. I'll cover the extra cost."
"I'm not doing it." Charles roared, his neck veins bulging. "This is an insult to my character. Sophie, I can't believe you. We've been married for three years. Is that really what you think of me?"
"Data doesn't lie. People do," I replied.
I walked to the front door, deadbolted it, then turned around and leaned against it, arms crossed. "No one leaves until the test team arrives.
"If anyone tries to make a move for the door, I'll assume what Ms. Reed said is the truth. In thirty minutes, Grant Holdings' legal team will get involved and freeze all our joint accounts."
When he heard "freeze the accounts," Charles froze mid-step, his hand still on the doorknob.
Sure, he was an associate professor, but that paycheck was enough to keep up appearances at the university.
The real reason he could drive a Porsche, wear Armani, and play the big shot in front of Julia was the monthly trust fund I deposited into his account.
If that money stopped coming, he wouldn't even be able to afford gas next month.
"You... You're holding us hostage." Charles spat, his jaw clenched.
"No, this is a cooling-off period for a family dispute," I said, glancing at my watch. "Twelve minutes left."
Those twelve minutes turned the living room into a full-blown soap opera.
Julia was curled up on the couch with Max, bawling her eyes out, wailing about how I was using my power to bully her and acting all high and mighty because she was poor.
Charles hovered beside her, constantly passing her tissues and murmuring reassurances, all while giving me that classic "you're out of your mind" glare, like I was the villain in all this.
Too bad for them, I wasn't buying any of it.
The more they acted, the guiltier they looked.
The doorbell rang right on cue.
Two staffers in medical gear stepped inside, each carrying a silver sampling case.
"Ms. Grant, who needs to be tested?" one of them asked.
I pointed at the man and the kid on the couch, both looking pale. "Those two. For accuracy, I recommend taking both mouth swabs and hair samples."
With those two lab techs standing there in their white coats, Julia finally dropped the act.
She slapped her hand over Max's mouth, not letting him say a word, her eyes wild with panic as she shot a look at Charlie. "Charlie, we can't do this. Max's a kid, he'll freak out."
Charles made one last desperate plea. "Sophie, can't we drop this? I'll apologize, I promise. I'll make sure Julie never sets foot in this house again."
"No," I replied coldly, locking eyes with him. "Once the arrow's been released, there's no taking it back. Charles, if you really have nothing to hide, why are you so eager to stop this?
"Or was Julia's so-called joke actually the truth? If that's the case, then we'll do things my way."
Charles finally snapped at my taunting. He grabbed Max, eyes bloodshot, and yelled, "Fine. Let's do it. Right now.
"We'll see what you say when the results come out. Sophie, if it proves I'm innocent, you better get on your knees and apologize to Julie."