Chapter 5: The Son Adrian Never Met
Gideon slowly released Mallerie’s arm.
“My brother?”
“Adrian and I were together for nearly two years,” Mallerie said.
“He wanted to tell you, but your mother threatened to cut him off.”
Lenora lifted her chin.
“Adrian was confused.”
“He bought a ring.”
“A cheap gesture made during rebellion.”
Mallerie stepped toward her.
“He loved me.”
“He was a Vale.
You cleaned rooms at the club where he entertained clients.”
“And that made my baby unworthy?”
“It made you unsuitable.”
Gideon’s palm came down on the table.
Owen startled, and Gideon immediately softened his voice.
“You separated Adrian from the woman he loved, then took his child?”
“I preserved what your father spent his life building.”
“You handed the child to me.”
“You were stable.
You could raise the next Vale heir properly.”
Mallerie stared at Gideon.
“You weren’t chosen to save Owen.
You were chosen so she could control him through you.”
Lenora’s cheeks colored.
“I controlled nothing.”
Mrs.
Harrow held up the phone.
“Your own voice says otherwise.”
Lenora pointed her cane at her.
“That recording was made illegally.”
Naomi folded her arms.
“That question belongs to a judge.”
A firm knock sounded from the entrance.
Two social workers stood beside Lenora’s family attorney, Conrad Pike.
Mr.
Pike held up a court order.
“Owen must be placed in temporary protective care while the competing claims are reviewed.”
Mallerie backed away.
“No.”
Gideon took the order.
“How did you get this so quickly?”
Lenora buttoned her coat.
“Unlike you, I was prepared.”
Naomi read the first page.
“This says Mallerie may be emotionally unstable and that Gideon obtained Owen through a questionable private adoption.”
“You accused your own son?” Mrs.
Harrow asked.
“I protected my grandson.”
The senior social worker approached Mallerie.
“We need you to hand Owen to us.”
“He doesn’t know you.”
“I understand.”
“No, you don’t.
He has already been taken from me once.”
Owen felt her arms tightening and began to cry.
“Mallerie,” Gideon said softly, “look at me.”
“They’re taking him.”
“If you resist, Lenora will use it against you.”
The social worker extended both hands.
“Please.”
Mallerie kissed Owen’s hair.
“My name is Mallerie.
I’m your mother.
I did not leave you.”
When the social worker lifted him away, Owen screamed and reached back.
“Mama!”
The single word emptied the room of sound.
Mallerie collapsed against Gideon.
Her fingers clawed at his sleeve as Owen’s cries faded down the hall.
“I can’t do this again,” she sobbed.
“I can’t watch another door close with him on the other side.”
Gideon held her upright.
“Then don’t watch the door.
Look at me.
We are bringing him back.”
Lenora paused beside them.
“You see what reckless accusations cause?”
Mallerie pulled away from Gideon and faced her.
“You caused this.”
“Prove it.”
Naomi’s phone rang.
She answered, listened, and put the call on speaker.
“This is Dr.
Hayes at Northbridge Genetics.
The maternal result is conclusive.
Mallerie Lark is Owen’s biological mother.”
Mallerie covered her mouth.
“And the second sample?” Gideon asked.
“Your result shows a close biological relationship consistent with being Owen’s uncle.”
Lenora’s attorney whispered in her ear.
For the first time, Lenora’s hand shook around her cane.
Naomi looked down at the temporary order.
“The DNA proves who Owen is, but it does not cancel the surrender form.
Until we prove fraud, Mallerie still cannot take him home.”
Lenora smiled again.
Then Mallerie noticed a name beneath the surrender form’s witness signature.
“Dr.
May you like
Silas Bell,” she whispered.
“That’s the man who told me my baby was gone.”
