Chapter 3 - The Family Diane Tried to Protect
They left without an explanation.
Ethan drove.
Claire sat in the back beside Olivia’s car seat, staring through the window as Lake Michigan disappeared behind suburban streets.
Neither spoke until they reached their house in Glenview.
Once Olivia was asleep, Ethan spread the DNA report across their kitchen island.
“I’m getting another test.”
Claire nodded.
“A real one.”
The original test had been one of Diane’s private relationship panels. She had collected samples during what she called a “family ancestry project,” then submitted Ethan’s, Harold’s and Olivia’s without explaining her actual purpose.
Ethan was furious about that too.
But the numbers were difficult to dismiss.
The report strongly supported Ethan as Olivia’s father.
It excluded Harold as Ethan’s biological father.
And Harold’s match to Olivia was far closer than an unrelated older man should have been.
“We test everybody properly,” Claire said.
“You, me, Olivia, Harold.”
“And Diane.”
Ethan looked at her.
Claire hated herself for saying it.
“If your dad isn’t your biological father, somebody is.”
Ethan sank into a chair.
For thirty-eight years, Harold Mercer had been his father in every meaningful sense.
Little League.
College applications.
His first failed business idea.
His wedding.
The hospital waiting room when Olivia was born.
“You okay?” Claire asked.
“No.”
It was the most honest answer available.
His phone vibrated.
A message from Diane.
Do not involve anyone else until we talk.
Ethan stared at it.
Then another appeared.
Your father has lied to all of us.
Claire read over his shoulder.
Something about the wording bothered her.
Not Your father is lying.
Has lied.
As if Diane already knew part of the truth.
Ethan called.
Diane answered on the first ring.
“Come tomorrow without Claire.”
Ethan’s expression hardened.
“No.”
“This concerns my marriage.”
“It concerns my wife and child.”
“You don’t understand.”
“Then explain.”
Silence.
Finally Diane said, “Harold is not the only person who kept something from you.”
Ethan looked at Claire.
“Are you saying you knew he wasn’t my biological father?”
Diane did not answer directly.
Instead she said, “There are things people do when they’re young that shouldn’t destroy everyone thirty years later.”
Ethan closed his eyes.
“Who is my father?”
A long pause.
Then Diane whispered, “Not over the phone.”
The call ended.
Claire looked toward Olivia’s room.
One DNA test had been ordered to humiliate her.
May you like
Instead it had left both sides of their daughter’s family suddenly uncertain.
And Diane had just admitted that Harold’s secret was only half of it.
