CHAPTER 9: The Test No One Could Stop
The DNA samples were taken from Victoria, Nathan, and Caleb under Amelia’s supervision. Every swab was sealed, photographed, and sent to two separate labs. Amelia did not trust one test when the Ellison fortune was at stake.
Regina called seventeen times before noon.
Victoria did not answer.
By three o’clock, Ellison Holdings released a statement Victoria had not approved: Mrs. Victoria Ellison is temporarily stepping back from public duties due to emotional distress. Any rumors involving a minor child are false, harmful, and being investigated.
Victoria read the statement in the clinic waiting room while Caleb slept curled on a couch, his cleaned knees bandaged, his fingers still wrapped around the locket. Nathan sat on the carpet beside him, guarding him with a picture book he was not reading.
“She’s moving fast,” Amelia said.
“She wants everyone to think I’m unstable.”
“She has used that strategy before.”
Victoria looked up. “What do you mean?”
Amelia hesitated, then opened a file on her tablet. “After Julian died, Regina tried to have you removed as trustee of Nathan’s inheritance. Her argument was grief impairment. Julian had protected you with an amendment she didn’t know existed.”
Victoria laughed once, without humor. “He was still protecting me from her after he died.”
“She hated that,” Amelia said. “And if Caleb is your son, the trust doubles in complexity. Two heirs. Two signatures needed when they come of age. Regina loses control over several estate channels she has quietly influenced for years.”
Victoria looked at Caleb sleeping under a borrowed blanket.
“This was never only about a baby,” she whispered. “It was about money.”
“It may have started with money,” Amelia said. “But it continued because too many powerful people had something to hide.”
A nurse entered with a tray of sandwiches. Nathan took one and placed it near Caleb’s hand before taking his own.
Caleb woke at the smell of food and grabbed the sandwich like someone might take it away. Then he paused, embarrassed, and looked at Victoria.
“You can eat as much as you want,” she said.
He took one bite, then another. His eyes filled, but he did not let tears fall.
At 6:42 p.m., Amelia’s phone rang.
The first lab had results.
May you like
She looked at the screen, then at Victoria.
“Mother and son,” she said softly.
