Chapter 17 - THE STORY BRADLEY SOLD
By morning, every television in the hospital showed Hannah’s face.
ABANDONED WIFE OR MOB HOSTAGE?
Bradley sat in county custody and still found a way to make himself the victim. Hannah watched ten seconds, then turned the television off.
Claire sat beside her. “The internet hates him.”
“That has never stopped a liar.”
“No, but receipts help.”
Detective Chen entered with a federal prosecutor named Aaron Feld.
Feld placed a recorder on the table.
“We want your cooperation.”
Hannah laughed tiredly. “Everyone does.”
He took the point.
“The Mercer archive implicates public officials. Dominic has agreed to provide financial records from his companies. Your father will testify. We can protect you and the children.”
Hannah looked at Dominic, standing by the window.
“What happens to him?”
Feld answered carefully. “That depends on what he knew and when.”
Dominic said, “I’m cooperating.”
Hannah nodded.
“Good.”
He looked surprised.
“I’m not asking you to protect him,” Hannah said. “I’m asking you to tell the truth.”
Feld pushed a second document toward her.
“There’s another issue. Bradley filed an emergency petition for paternity rights from jail.”
Hannah stared.
“He kidnapped Lily.”
“He claims he was trying to protect her from Dominic.”
Claire muttered something unprintable.
Feld continued. “His attorney is requesting supervised access pending criminal charges.”
Hannah’s hands went cold.
Then Dominic’s lawyer, Sofia Reyes, entered.
“I have something better.”
She dropped a sealed lab report on the table.
Hannah frowned. “What is that?”
Sofia looked at her.
“Bradley demanded a private paternity test during your pregnancy. We found the lab invoice in Victor’s records.”
Hannah’s pulse jumped.
“Why?”
Sofia opened the report.
“Because Bradley already knew.”
“Knew what?”
May you like
Sofia met her eyes.
“He is not the biological father of your twins.”
