Chapter 23
“Oh? What is it p>
Lucie mustered a polite smile. “I just remembered I have something to take care of. I’m safe now. I’m sorry for all the trouble p>
“No trouble at all,” Officer Lawrence replied warmly. “Serving the public is our duty. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to call p>
“Thank you. I will p>
He was a good man-steady, kind. He eased the patrol car to the curb and put it
in park.
“Take care,” he added. “And try to talk things through with Mr. Heath p>
Lucie nodded. “I will p>
As soon as the police cruiser disappeared around the corner, Lucie pulled out her phone and called a cab. She gave the address for the DNA testing center, her hands trembling as she ended the call.
The center’s sterile lights buzzed overhead. Lucie filled out the application with numb fingers, then handed over a sealed bag containing Cody’s hair and a vial of her own blood.
“How soon can I get the results?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Standard results take five to seven business days,” the technician explained. “If you need it expedited, we can have them in forty-eight hours p>
“I want it rushed,” Lucie replied. She slid her card across the counter, not hesitating for a second.
“Very well, ma’am. Your results will be ready in two days p>
“Thank you p>
Payment made, samples submitted, Lucie stepped outside. The world felt heavier, the air thick with dread. She never imagined she’d be standing here, questioning whether her own son was really hers.
What if Cody was switched at birth? Where is my real child?
The thoughts circled, relentless and suffocating, tightening around her chest until she could hardly breathe. She craved answers, but feared the truth would shatter her.
No. It can’t be. I’m just being paranoid. Cody is my son. I just need to put my mind at ease. Don’t scare yourself for nothing.
She forced herself to take a deep breath, then called her driver.
Twenty minutes later, her car pulled up. The driver opened the door, his tone gentle. “Where to, ma’am p>
Lucie hesitated. She’d been staying at her grandfather’s for over a week now. If she went back again hed start asking questions questions she wasn’t ready to answer.
“Cedarbrook Hall,” she said finally.
“Yes, ma’am.” The driver started the engine and headed downtown.
Cedarbrook Hall was her apartment before marriage. Perched atop the city, the three-story residence
sprawled across more than two thousand square feet, filled with ber cherished art andchildhoodo mementos. She rarely came back, but tonight, she needed the comfort of old memories.
Half an hour later, they arrived.
The housekeeper greeted her with a delighted smile. “Miss! What a surprise. What brings you back today p>
“I’ll be staying a few days,” Lucie replied quietly.
She’d been running all day, nerves frayed and body aching. Last night, Steven’s relentless need had left her even more drained. Now, every muscle felt weak and useless.
Too tired to even shower, she stripped off her clothes and collapsed into bed. Sleep claimed her almost instantly.
She barely noticed when her phone began buzzing on the nightstand-over and over, urgent and insistent.
*Bzzz… Bzzz p>
She slept through it all.
The next morning, sunlight spilled across the sheets as Lucie woke. Her phone screen was littered with missed calls and messages—all from Steven.
[Lucie, where are you? We need to talk p>
[I know I haven’t been attentive lately. Let’s just talk this out calmly p>
[I still care about our marriage. I want Cody to have a whole family. I don’t want things to end in divorce p>
Lucie scrolled through the messages, her face unreadable. She felt nothing-no anger, no longing, just a hollow certainty that she didn’t want to see him.
The memory of Steven doting on Shannon twisted in her gut, leaving a bitter taste. She’d once walked away from Elio without looking back, she could be just as cold, just as decisive, with Steven now,
Yes, failed love hurt. But she was born with the ability to endure-to compartmentalize, to suppress, to heal. She would survive this, too.