Chapter 6 - THE SECRET BEHIND THE PREGNANCY
Chloe was twenty-four weeks pregnant when Julian learned the truth.
It happened during a routine prenatal appointment.
He had insisted on attending.
Margaret had already ordered matching cribs.
The nursery was painted pale green.
The twins had names.
Oliver and Henry.
Julian had even commissioned a custom wooden sign for the bedroom door.
At the appointment, the physician reviewed the pregnancy's progress and discussed medical history.
Julian mentioned his earlier fertility diagnosis.
The doctor asked whether he had undergone updated testing.
He admitted he hadn't.
The physician explained that reduced fertility did not make biological fatherhood impossible, but assumptions about paternity should not be treated as proof.
Julian asked whether testing could clarify the situation.
The physician explained the available options, including noninvasive prenatal paternity testing through an appropriately accredited laboratory, with attention to the additional complexities of twin pregnancies.
Chloe became visibly uncomfortable.
That evening, Julian confronted her.
“Why are you afraid of a test?”
She sat on the edge of the bed.
“I'm not.”
“Then why did you tell the doctor we didn't need one?”
She looked away.
“Because I know you're the father.”
Julian stared.
“Chloe.”
She began crying.
“Please don't do this.”
He sat beside her.
“I need to know.”
She covered her face.
Then whispered:
“There was someone else.”
Julian froze.
“What?”
Chloe shook her head.
“Before you and I became serious.”
“How long before?”
She didn't answer.
“Chloe.”
Her voice trembled.
“I was still seeing Aaron.”
Julian stared.
Her former boyfriend.
The man she'd claimed was completely out of her life.
“When?”
She gave him the dates.
Julian calculated silently.
Then stood.
“You told me you were certain.”
“I thought I was.”
“You said there was no possibility.”
“I was scared.”
He looked at her.
“Scared of what?”
She began crying harder.
“Of losing you.”
Julian walked out of the room.
For the first time, he understood what Eleanor had felt.
Not completely.
Not even close.
But enough to recognize the sickening moment when the person beside you becomes someone you no longer know.
He called Margaret.
She listened.
Then said, “Chloe is emotional. Pregnancy does that.”
Julian stared at the phone.
“Mother, she lied.”
Margaret sighed.
“Don't overreact. The children could still be yours.”
He closed his eyes.
“That's why we need testing.”
Margaret's voice hardened.
“And what if they're not?”
Julian didn't answer.
She continued.
“Think about the family.”
He stared at the nursery door.
For the first time, he heard the sentence Eleanor had endured for years.
Think about the family.
Meaning:
Protect the appearance.
Protect the reputation.
Protect the Vance name.
Even when the truth was standing in front of you.
Julian ended the call.
Then he sat alone in the unfinished nursery.
Two cribs.
Two blankets.
May you like
Two names.
And a future built on uncertainty.
