Chapter 4

That night, I held Lily and stared at the ceiling until dawn.

Images from my past life played on a loop in my mind.

That day, Mara claimed she was craving wild berries from the steep ridge outside of town. She said it was her biggest craving when she was pregnant with Noah and Owen, and she suddenly wanted them so badly she couldn't sleep.

Judith immediately chimed in:

"Evelyn, go pick some for her. Mara has suffered enough. If she wants them, make the trip."

Daniel backed her up. "Just go. Hurry back so Mara doesn't have to wait."

In the end, I went.

The mountain trail was slick with mud. I slipped multiple times, tearing up my knees and elbows just to fill a small basket.

By the time I made it back, it was pitch black and pouring rain.

But when I reached our rental house, all I saw were flames tearing into the night sky.

Neighbors were gathered outside, pointing and shouting.

Someone held me back as I watched the storage room collapse into the inferno. I watched the firefighters carry out a tiny, charred body.

Mara was kneeling in the mud, crying so hard she was practically hyperventilating.

"Noah and Owen were playing with a lighter..."

"I told them not to play in there, but they wouldn't listen... Lily insisted on going inside, I couldn't hold her back... It's all my fault..."

I dropped to my knees in the rain, staring at Lily's body, my entire world turning black.

Later, Daniel received endless sympathy for the tragic loss of his daughter.

Combined with his carefully crafted image as the noble soldier caring for his fallen brother's widow, he was praised as a loyal, responsible hero.

His medals and his bright future were built on my daughter's grave.

And then, I found the paternity tests.

The date on them was three days before Lily died.

That was the past.

I violently pulled myself out of the memory.

This was my second life. This was now.

As soon as the sun came up, I took Lily straight to the medical center.

This time, I was getting the evidence before the tragedy could happen.

The doctors conducted a forensic evaluation, meticulously documenting and photographing Lily's injuries. My lawyer then helped me submit the reports to CPS and the Sheriff's Office, while simultaneously filing a motion for a court-ordered paternity test as part of the family court proceedings.

After notifying Daniel and Mara and hearing their objections, the court authorized an AABB-accredited laboratory to collect buccal swabs from Daniel, Noah, and Owen.

Once the samples were taken, I officially established a separate residence from Daniel, making it clear there would be no reconciliation. My lawyer documented the date of separation, and the court initiated the necessary procedures.

While waiting for the results, Judith showed up twice.

The first time, she stood outside our motel room screaming curses at me. She called me an ungrateful bitch, said I was lucky a man like Daniel ever married me, and swore no man would ever want me once I was divorced.

The second time, she cried through the door, begging me to come back. She said the house was a mess, Mara was sick, no one was watching the twins, and Daniel was too busy. She demanded I come back and do my job.

I spoke to her through the locked door:

"I am done taking care of your family. Leave."

Eventually, my lawyer received the official report from the AABB-accredited lab and handed me a copy.

The report confirmed it. Daniel was the biological father of Noah and Owen.

The conclusion was printed in black and white.

I stared at that official document for a long time.

Long enough for the sky outside the window to turn dark.

I gathered the DNA report, Lily's pediatric forensic records, the authenticated photographs, and a list of witnesses. I gave copies to my lawyer to forward to the investigators.

Then, I drove straight to the base, heading directly for the Army Inspector General's Office and the Chain of Command investigative department.

Inside, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Ward and several investigators were at their desks.

I walked up to them, placed the manila envelope on the table, and slowly opened it.

"I am here to file a formal complaint against Captain Daniel Harper."