Chapter 37: Clara Asked for the Same Test
Daniel sent the letter at 9:00 a.m. sharp.
Not a post.
Not a threat.
Not a speech wrapped in pain.
A formal request, clean enough to cut and too reasonable for anyone to attack without showing their own hand.
Clara read every line before he sent it, because she had learned that the most dangerous sentences were often the ones people called standard.
Richard’s family hid knives inside polite language.
This time, Clara wanted the blade facing the other way.
The request was simple.
Independent paternity testing for both unborn children after appropriate medical guidance.
No Hayes doctor.
No private clinic chosen by Ethan.
No sample collected without chain-of-custody records.
No report leaked before both mothers and their solicitors received copies.
No family office receiving medical information before the women did.
Olivia stood behind Clara’s chair, arms folded. “It is annoyingly reasonable.”
“That is the point,” Clara said.
Daniel looked up from his desk. “Reasonable is powerful when the other side depends on drama.”
The letter went to Vanessa’s solicitor, Ethan, Margaret, and Richard’s office, because the lie had used all four doors.
Clara insisted on Richard receiving it.
Daniel asked why.
“Because he is already in the room,” Clara said. “I am tired of pretending he is not.”
At 9:17, Margaret’s receipt arrived.
At 9:22, Ethan’s.
At 9:26, Richard’s assistant.
Vanessa’s solicitor did not acknowledge until 10:41.
The delay felt deliberate.
Clara spent that hour reviewing design boards for the mother-and-baby project she had nearly lost, forcing her eyes to stay on colour, light, and measured work instead of the phone.
Soft rooms.
Safe corners.
Quiet lighting.
Spaces built for women who were tired of being treated like problems.
Her phone kept buzzing, but she did not look.
Olivia read comments until Clara stopped her.
“People are finally asking why Ethan is quiet,” Olivia said.
“Ethan hates questions that do not admire him.”
At noon, Daniel received a reply.
He read it once.
Then again.
Clara knew from his expression that it was dressed badly as politeness.
“Vanessa’s solicitor says Ms Cole is not refusing transparency,” Daniel said, “but she will not consent to any process that places emotional or physical pressure upon her during a vulnerable pregnancy, especially while online harassment continues.”
Olivia snorted. “So, refusing transparency.”
Daniel continued. “They say your demand is unnecessary because Ethan has privately acknowledged the likelihood of paternity and because Ms Cole considers further proof invasive.”
Clara’s face went still.
“Likelihood?”
Daniel nodded.
One word.
A crack in the marble.
Ethan had let the world believe he was certain.
In writing, his side used likelihood, and that one careful word made the whole performance wobble.
Clara said, “Forward that to Ethan.”
Daniel did.
Ethan called seven minutes later.
Clara answered only after Daniel nodded.
“You are trying to humiliate her,” Ethan said.
“No. I am asking for the same test I am willing to take.”
“You know your baby is mine.”
“I know. That is why I am not afraid of proof.”
His silence felt more useful than any apology, because silence did not try to charm her or explain away the obvious.
Clara continued, “If Vanessa’s child is yours, the test protects that child too.”
“You make everything sound like a courtroom.”
“You made our wedding a public hearing.”
Ethan exhaled. “She is stressed.”
Clara leaned back slowly. “So was I when she walked into my ceremony. Different because she cried better?”
“No. Tell me why her distress is evidence and mine is instability.”
Ethan had no answer.
Clara said, “Independent testing. Legal oversight. Equal terms.”
Ethan lowered his voice. “You are making me choose.”
Clara almost smiled. “No. You already chose.”
After she ended the call, Ethan posted about the wellbeing and dignity of both mothers.
Olivia stared. “He sided with her.”
Clara shook her head. “No. He sided with control.”