PART 3 Marcus stopped breathing for a moment. Then he said, “Chloe, that was an HR decision.” “I know.” “We didn’t know they were going to—” “You were in the meeting.” Another silence. This one was longer. I remembered the meeting from three days earlier. Marcus had sat at the head of the conference table,…

PART 3 “You have ten seconds.” She shook her head, tears beginning to fill her eyes. “You don’t understand.” “No,” I said quietly. “I understand perfectly.” I held up the report. “My son isn’t their father.” Emily covered her mouth. “And according to this, someone from Jason’s family is.” Her eyes closed. That was confirmation…

PART 3 “Are you hurt?” I touched my lip. “It’s nothing.” Ethan immediately stepped forward. “She slipped.” My father finally looked at him. “Did she?” Ethan froze. My mother-in-law recovered first. “Samuel, surely this is unnecessary. Charlotte has always been clumsy.” My father turned toward Margaret. “Has she?” Margaret smiled nervously. “You know how women…

PART 3 Marcus stopped breathing for a moment. Then he said, “Chloe, that was an HR decision.” “I know.” “We didn’t know they were going to—” “You were in the meeting.” Another silence. This one was longer. I remembered the meeting from three days earlier. Marcus had sat at the head of the conference table,…

PART 3 “You have ten seconds.” She shook her head, tears beginning to fill her eyes. “You don’t understand.” “No,” I said quietly. “I understand perfectly.” I held up the report. “My son isn’t their father.” Emily covered her mouth. “And according to this, someone from Jason’s family is.” Her eyes closed. That was confirmation…

PART 3 “Are you hurt?” I touched my lip. “It’s nothing.” Ethan immediately stepped forward. “She slipped.” My father finally looked at him. “Did she?” Ethan froze. My mother-in-law recovered first. “Samuel, surely this is unnecessary. Charlotte has always been clumsy.” My father turned toward Margaret. “Has she?” Margaret smiled nervously. “You know how women…