Chapter 5 - The Forged Test
Vincent crouched in front of Mia.
“Look at me.”
She did.
“That paper does not decide whether I’m your father.”
“But what if it’s true?”
“Then I’m still your father.”
Her face crumpled.
He hugged her, then handed the document to Dr. Rivera.
The laboratory listed on the page was real.
The report was not.
The lab director checked the case number.
“We never issued this test.”
Marcus examined the sleeve.
“The toner is fresh. This was printed recently.”
Vincent looked at Celeste.
“You showed my six-year-old a fake DNA test.”
“I found it. I didn’t make it.”
“Mia says you told her I would abandon her.”
Celeste’s composure cracked.
Vincent held out his hand.
“Your phone.”
“You have no right.”
“Then leave my home.”
For a moment, it looked like she would hand it over.
Instead, she threw it into the fireplace.
The screen burst against the stone.
Mia screamed.
Marcus pulled it from the flames with metal tongs.
Vincent stared at Celeste.
“You just destroyed evidence.”
“You don’t know what you’re digging up.”
“Then tell me.”
Celeste laughed once, but there was no humor in it.
“Ask Grace.”
Vincent’s face went cold.
“Grace is dead.”
Celeste looked at him.
“That doesn’t mean she stopped talking.”
Then she walked out.
Behind him, Mia whispered, “Daddy?”
“Yes?”
“I know where the blue bird is.”
Vincent turned.
May you like
Mia pointed toward Grace’s locked bedroom.
“And Mommy said it opens something.”
