The DNA Test That Backfired Chapter 03
I drew a breath to speak, but Camille cut me off.
“See? Even Zane thinks so.”
She glanced around the table, her tone triumphant.
“Arlette, we’re all family. There’s no need to make things unpleasant over something like this.”
“Once the test is done, everyone can rest easy.”
The moment Zane spoke, the atmosphere shifted.
Zane’s mother had been holding my hand, but now her fingers went slack.
“Arlette,” she said, her voice soft, but a flicker of doubt now clouded her eyes.
“Since Camille brought it up, and Zane wants to know the result, just do it.”
“It’ll be good for you to clear the air.”
Zane’s father set down his wineglass, his voice deep and firm.
“This isn’t something we can leave to speculation. Arlette, don’t overthink it. Once the test is done, everything will be settled.”
Even he was saying it.
I slowly lifted my eyes and scanned the table.
For three years, the people at this table had always treated me with kindness.
But the moment the words “DNA test” were spoken, the way they looked at me changed.
It was as if I had suddenly gone from a family member to a stranger who needed to be investigated.
I held Teddy tighter in my arms and finally spoke.
“I won’t do it.”
Camille froze, as if she hadn’t expected me to refuse so decisively.
“Arlette, what are you—”
“Look at the child,” I cut her off, glancing down at Teddy in my arms.
His round eyes were wide with fear as he stared at the adults around the table. His small body was still trembling.
“He’s only three,” I said.
“In front of him, you’re questioning his origins. You’re saying he doesn’t belong in this family. You’re saying his mother is a liar.”
“Have any of you considered how he’s supposed to process those words later?”
I lifted my eyes and looked at every person at the table.
“Saying something like that once is already too much. Don’t let me hear it a second time.”
The dining room fell silent.
I thought that would be enough to make them stop.
I was wrong.
The more I refused, the more suspicion clouded the faces of Zane’s parents.
Zane’s mother withdrew her hand and leaned back in her chair. Her gaze was now a mixture of scrutiny and disappointment.
Zane’s father’s expression darkened.
Camille saw it all and immediately pressed on.
“Arlette, being this defensive will only make people more uneasy.”
She sighed, as if she were genuinely worried for the family.
“If the results prove we misunderstood you, we will apologize.”
“But if you refuse to even look at a report, then of course people will continue to doubt you.”
I looked at her, finding it hard to believe she could say such a thing so easily.
In the end, I carried Teddy out of the dining room.
Dinner ended early that night.