Chapter 5 - The Ultimate Betrayal
While Beatrice was busy fighting a losing PR war, I dug deeper into the burner phone Lucas had left in the safe.
I scrolled through encrypted text messages, my eyes scanning the digital footprint of a dead man. I found conversations between Lucas and a private medical clinic. I used my security clearance to run a quiet background check on Jessica’s medical files.
What I found made me actually laugh out loud in the empty house.
I printed the documents, placed them in a sleek black folder, and arranged a meeting.
I texted Beatrice and Jessica, telling them I was willing to discuss a settlement at my lawyer's office downtown. They arrived looking smug, dressed in expensive clothes they couldn't afford, expecting me to hand over a massive check to make them go away.
They sat across from me at the mahogany conference table.
“You finally realized you can't win,” Beatrice gloated, sipping her sparkling water. “We want two hundred thousand from the life insurance, and we want it tax-free.”
“I’m not here to negotiate,” I said, sliding the black folder across the table to Jessica. “I’m here to give you a gift. Open it.”
Jessica cautiously opened the folder. Inside was a paternity test result from a private lab, dated two months prior to Lucas’s death.
“What is this?” Jessica asked, her voice shaking.
“That is a non-invasive prenatal paternity test,” I stated cleanly. “Lucas swabbed his cheek. He matched it to the fetal DNA drawn at your clinic. Probability of paternity: Zero percent. You aren't carrying the Thorne heir, Jessica. You’re carrying a child fathered by your ex-boyfriend, the bartender.”
Beatrice’s jaw dropped. She snatched the paper from Jessica’s trembling hands. “This is a forgery! You forged this!”
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“It’s certified,” I replied. “Lucas knew, Jessica. He knew you were using him for his officer salary. And that is why he took out those massive shadow loans in your name. He wasn't planning on divorcing me. He was planning on fleeing the country and leaving you with $300,000 in defaulted, illegal debt.”
Jessica let out a guttural sob, burying her face in her hands.
