Chapter 15 - The Child in the Middle
DNA testing began immediately.
Brenda remained under protective supervision.
Andrew refused to speak with her privately.
Mariana watched him from across the hospital conference room.
“You are allowed to ask whether the child is yours.”
“I am afraid of the answer.”
“That has never stopped you from demanding answers before.”
Andrew looked at her.
“I am trying to learn the difference between a right and a privilege.”
Mariana did not respond.
The laboratory required twelve hours.
During that time, investigators questioned Tomas.
He admitted working with Richard Whitmore.
He denied ordering Isabel’s poisoning.
He blamed Elias for the recent attacks.
Elias blamed Rafael.
Rafael blamed his father.
Every confession contained enough truth to make the lies difficult to separate.
Samuel examined Brenda’s documents.
“The birth certificate is authentic.”
“Does that prove her mother was my twin?” Mariana asked.
“No.”
“Only DNA can prove that.”
Brenda sat near the window.
She appeared younger without the crimson gown and perfect makeup.
Mariana remembered how easily Brenda had smiled while Andrew humiliated her.
Compassion did not erase that memory.
But hatred could not change the possibility that Brenda had also been manipulated.
“Did you know about the family connection when you met Andrew?” Mariana asked.
“No.”
“When did Elias tell you?”
“Three months ago.”
“Before or after the affair began?”
“After.”
“So the affair was your decision.”
Brenda lifted her eyes.
“Yes.”
“Planting the necklace was your decision.”
“Yes.”
“Watching Andrew strike me was your decision.”
Brenda’s voice broke.
“I did not know he would hit you.”
“But you smiled after he did.”
Tears filled Brenda’s eyes.
“I thought I had won.”
Mariana leaned closer.
“What did you think you had won?”
“A life where no one could throw me away.”
The answer carried a painful familiarity.
Mariana had once stayed silent for the same reason.
She had protected Andrew because she feared losing the life they built.
Brenda had tried to steal that life because she had never possessed one of her own.
Mariana did not forgive her.
But she understood her.
The laboratory director entered.
She held three sealed reports.
“The first test confirms that Brenda is biologically related to Mrs. Escalante.”
Isabel covered her mouth.
“The relationship is consistent with a niece.”
Mariana felt the room tilt.
Brenda began crying.
“My mother died last year.”
Isabel sat beside her.
“What was she like?”
Brenda hesitated.
“Angry.”
“Afraid.”
“She never trusted wealthy people.”
“She said they stole her name.”
Isabel closed her eyes.
The laboratory director opened the second report.
“The pregnancy is confirmed.”
Andrew stood.
“Is the child mine?”
The director opened the final envelope.
“No.”
Brenda looked toward Rafael.
Rafael’s expression changed for the first time.
The child was his.
Brenda had been sleeping with both men.
Rafael laughed once.
Then he stopped when he understood the legal consequence.
His child would unite both Escalante branches.
Tomas could use the baby as the final heir.
Mariana faced Brenda.
“Did Rafael know?”
“He planned it.”
The room became silent.
“He told me the child would control the preservation trust.”
Brenda’s hand moved toward her stomach.
“I was supposed to sign custody rights to Tomas after the birth.”
Rafael stood so suddenly that guards restrained him.
“That was never the agreement.”
Brenda stared at him.
“You told me we would raise the child together.”
Tomas’s voice came through the conference speaker.
He had been listening from the interrogation room.
“You were both useful.”
“Nothing more.”
Rafael’s face collapsed.
The father he had served had just discarded him publicly.
A fire alarm sounded.
Security doors locked.
Mariana’s phone received a video call.
Tomas appeared on the screen.
His interrogation room was empty.
The guards outside lay unconscious.
He smiled.
“Thank you for confirming the heir.”
Then the camera turned.
Isabel’s hospital room appeared.
The bed was empty.
May you like
Tomas had escaped.
And he had taken Mariana’s mother with him.
