I told my baby that Mommy was sorry, that I'd failed to protect him.
What if that child never died?
Lucinda pulled some strings and got her hands on the medical checkup file for Corinne's son at the community clinic. An oral swab sample was on record.
I went to a separate facility myself. Drew blood, provided samples, and submitted everything for a paternity test.
Results would take five to seven business days.
For those seven days, I cooked, did laundry, and waited for David to come home. Same as always.
He'd been in a good mood lately.
On Wednesday, he came home early for the first time in months.
A bouquet of roses in his arms.
"Your birthday's next Saturday. I want to throw a little get-together with friends and family."
He handed me the flowers with a smile. "Something big. At the Grand Ballroom. I've invited all our friends, plus my business partners."
"I want to give you a surprise. Ellie, you've had it rough these past few years."
He pulled me into his arms.
His chin rested on the top of my head.
My cheek pressed against his chest.
"I want everyone to know that you're the most important person in my life."
Friday morning. Ten o'clock.
My phone rang.
An unknown number.
"Hello, is this Ms. Pruitt?"
"Speaking."
"This is Trumark Forensic Testing Center. The paternity test samples you submitted have been processed. The results are ready."
My heart skipped a beat.
The voice on the other end continued: "The report indicates that the submitted sample compared against your DNA shows a match of..."
