“You claim you didn’t betray Rocco, so what is the meaning of this paternity test report?”
With that, she yanked a file from her bag, flipping straight to the last page without even glancing at the rest.
“According to the test, sample A and sample B exclude a parent-child relationship. Sample A is the baby, and sample B is Rocco. This is conclusive evidence. What else can you possibly say?”
As she spoke, Veda waved the report smugly for everyone nearby to see.
“Actually, you’ve all always thought Andie was good, but only I, her biological mother, know she’s rotten to the core. Back when she was going to college, I deliberately chose a local university for her so she could find a job more easily, but she insisted on going far away. Wasn’t it just to chase after men, afraid I’d stop her?”
5
What Veda said wasn’t entirely wrong. Back then, when choosing a university, I had indeed picked the farthest one. But it was only to escape her control. And it was precisely because of that choice that I met such a good man as Rocco.
The people who had been defending me moments ago fell silent at the sight of the paternity test report. Their voices quickly shifted.
[Come to think of it, who would joke about something like this?]
[Veda must have reached her breaking point; that’s why she exposed it today.]
[Not gonna lie, this child really doesn’t look much like Rocco…]
I was stunned as I turned to Veda, my voice trembling.
“Mom, what are you doing? Do you want to destroy me? You know perfectly well I’ve always been conservative. Rocco is my first love, how could I possibly do something like that?”
But Veda ignored me completely. Instead, she suddenly dropped to her knees before Rocco.
“Rocco, you’re a good child. It’s my fault, I didn’t raise Andie well, which turned her into such an unfaithful woman. But don’t worry, she has already promised me she won’t mess around again. She also swore she would give you a son. Just forgive her this once.”
Rocco and my in-laws exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions clouded with doubt.
6
At last, all three turned to me, their eyes silently demanding an explanation.
I, too, was left speechless. Against Veda’s words, I couldn’t win. So I turned toward Devon and Declan at the side.
“Dad, brother, say something. Don’t you know me?”