Chapter 4: The Signature She Could Not Remember
Gideon put both documents side by side.
“Same number,” he said.
“Same date.”
Lenora reached for the bracelet, but Mallerie closed her fist around it.
“You’ve taken enough from me.”
“You cannot prove where that came from.”
“Mrs.
Harrow can.”
Lenora faced the older woman.
“Think carefully before you answer.”
Mrs.
Harrow gripped the back of a chair.
“I found it inside the blanket you brought with Owen.”
“And you waited fourteen months?”
“You said his mother had left the country.”
“I said what was necessary.”
Gideon took out his phone.
“Naomi, come to the house.
Bring a DNA technician and someone who handles family court emergencies.”
Lenora struck the floor with her cane.
“Put that phone down.”
“No.”
“You owe everything to this family.”
“I owe Owen the truth.”
Lenora turned to Mallerie.
“One hundred thousand dollars.
You leave tonight, withdraw your claim, and never contact us again.”
Mallerie’s eyes filled, but her voice stayed steady.
“I wouldn’t trade one hour with my son for every dollar you have.”
“Then perhaps you would trade it for Gideon’s freedom.”
Gideon lowered the phone.
“What does that mean?”
“The adoption application carries your signature.
If it was improper, authorities may decide you participated.”
“You arranged every document.”
“And your name is on every page.”
Mallerie looked at him.
“Did you know anything was wrong?”
“No.
I was told Owen’s mother refused contact.”
“But you never met her?”
Gideon’s gaze dropped to Owen.
“I should have asked more questions.”
“That is not an answer.”
“No,” he said.
“I didn’t know.
But I wanted to believe the papers because I had already lost my wife, and this child needed someone.”
Mallerie’s chin trembled.
“You love him.”
“With everything I have.”
“And if the test says he is mine?”
Gideon swallowed.
“Then I help you bring him home, even if it breaks me.”
Owen reached one hand toward Gideon while clinging to Mallerie with the other.
Mrs.
Harrow wiped her cheek.
“Perhaps he should not have to lose either of you.”
The doorbell rang.
Naomi Shaw entered with a medical technician carrying two sealed kits.
Lenora moved toward the hall.
Naomi blocked her path.
“Mrs.
Vale, you should remain available.”
“You do not give me orders.”
“No, but a judge might by morning.”
The technician swabbed Mallerie’s cheek, then Owen’s.
Gideon offered his own sample.
“Test mine too.”
Mallerie looked up.
“Why?”
“There may be more than one truth here.”
Lenora’s cane stopped tapping.
Naomi noticed.
“You already know what that test may show, don’t you?”
Lenora said nothing.
Mrs.
Harrow pulled an old phone from her pocket and placed it on the table.
“I kept this because I was afraid she would blame everything on me.”
“What is on it?” Gideon asked.
“A message Lenora left the night Owen arrived.”
Mrs.
Harrow pressed play.
Lenora’s recorded voice filled the room.
“The mother must believe the child is gone.
Gideon must believe she surrendered him.
If either of them learns who the father was, we lose control of the Vale inheritance.”
Mallerie’s knees weakened.
Gideon caught her arm.
“Who was Owen’s father?”
May you like
She looked directly at Lenora.
“Your brother Adrian.”
