Chapter 10 - The Blood Test
The heavy iron gates of the Collins cliffside estate were hanging wide open when we finally arrived.
David skidded the motorcycle to a halt on the gravel driveway, kicking the kickstand down before the engine even died.
I practically threw myself off the bike, running frantically toward the massive stone balcony that overlooked the crashing ocean waves.
Margaret was standing perfectly still at the very edge of the stone railing, holding a small bundle of blue blankets.
"Step away from the ledge right now, Margaret," David shouted, drawing a heavy pistol from his tactical holster.
Margaret turned to look at us, her face completely devoid of any human emotion or maternal warmth.
"You really are incredibly stubborn, Sarah," Margaret sighed in deep annoyance.
I did not care about her insults, her debts, or her twisted plans for my family's money.
I lunged forward, tackling the older woman to the hard stone floor with the fierce, protective strength of a desperate mother.
The bundle of blue blankets flew from her hands, sliding dangerously close to the deadly edge of the balcony.
I scrambled across the rough stone, scraping my knees bloody as I grabbed the thick fabric just in time.
I pulled the blankets tightly to my chest, letting out a loud, agonizing sob of pure relief as I heard a tiny whimper.
My precious newborn son, Evan, was completely safe, warm, and finally back in my arms.
David quickly zip-tied Margaret's hands behind her back, ignoring her vicious curses and threats.
The sound of approaching police sirens finally filled the night air, signaling that David's anonymous tip had worked.
Honest police officers stormed the estate, arresting Margaret and securing the entire perimeter of the dangerous cliffs.
I sat in the back of an ambulance with Noah and Evan, wrapped in a warm foil blanket and surrounded by actual safety.
We were immediately transported to a safe, highly secure pediatric hospital in the neighboring county for a full medical evaluation.
I held Noah's hand while the pediatric doctor took small vials of blood from Evan to test for any lingering toxins.
An hour later, the doctor returned to our private room holding a thick manila folder of medical results.
His face was completely pale, and he refused to make direct eye contact with me.
"Your baby is perfectly healthy, Sarah, and there is absolutely no digitalis in his system," the doctor assured me quietly.
I cried tears of pure joy, pulling my beautiful baby closer to my chest and kissing his soft forehead.
But then the doctor took a heavy step back and shook his head with a look of profound confusion.
"However, the standard blood tests revealed a genetic anomaly that I cannot legally ignore," the doctor whispered.
He handed me the printed laboratory results, pointing to a highlighted section near the bottom of the page.
May you like
"This infant's DNA profile does not match your bloodline, nor does it match your husband's," the doctor explained gravely.
The baby I had just risked my entire life to rescue from the cliffs was not my biological son.
