Chapter 4 - THE OTHER MOTHER
Chloe did not move.
The baby inside the carrier began making small restless noises.
Jennifer looked toward Lily.
Her daughter remained asleep.
Two babies.
Two mothers.
One man standing between them.
The thought might have broken Jennifer months earlier.
Now it simply made the situation clear.
Chloe swallowed.
“I didn’t know his family was still here.”
Daniel stepped toward her.
“Why did you come?”
“You stopped answering.”
“I told you I’d call.”
“You told me the party would be over at six.”
Daniel looked at Jennifer.
That was enough.
Jennifer said quietly.
“You knew about the party?”
Chloe hesitated.
“Yes.”
Daniel cut in.
“Jennifer, don’t do this.”
Jennifer ignored him.
“Did he tell you it was Lily’s baptism?”
Chloe’s eyes moved toward the white bassinet.
“Yes.”
Jennifer nodded.
“And you still came?”
Chloe looked ashamed.
“I wasn’t coming inside.”
“Then why are you here?”
Chloe looked at Daniel.
He subtly shook his head.
Jennifer saw it.
So did Daniel’s mother.
She pointed toward him.
“Don’t you dare tell that woman what to say.”
Daniel stiffened.
“Mom.”
“You’ve said enough.”
Chloe’s face crumpled slightly.
Not into tears.
Into exhaustion.
“I need the insurance information.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
Jennifer frowned.
“What insurance?”
Chloe looked confused.
Daniel immediately answered.
“It’s nothing.”
Chloe looked at him.
“Nothing?”
“Our son has a cardiology appointment Monday.”
The word landed across the room.
Son.
Daniel’s father shut his eyes.
His mother gripped the back of a chair.
Jennifer did not move.
Daniel whispered.
“Chloe.”
She stared at him.
“What?”
“You told me Jennifer knew.”
Jennifer’s chest tightened.
Chloe looked toward her.
“He said you knew.”
Daniel’s face went white.
Jennifer stepped closer.
“Knew what?”
Chloe’s eyes filled.
“That Jacob is his.”
Nobody spoke.
The event manager quietly walked away.
Daniel’s boss lowered his gaze.
Jennifer felt no surprise.
Only confirmation.
That was somehow worse.
Daniel finally said.
“The timing isn’t certain.”
Chloe turned on him.
“What?”
He gestured toward the baby carrier.
“You know there were questions.”
Chloe stared at him.
“You took a paternity test.”
Jennifer’s eyes sharpened.
Daniel looked trapped.
Chloe continued.
“You demanded one before you signed the lease.”
Daniel said nothing.
Jennifer asked.
“There’s a paternity test?”
Chloe nodded slowly.
“Yes.”
Daniel moved between them.
“This conversation is over.”
Jennifer looked directly at Chloe.
“Do you have it?”
Chloe hesitated.
Then nodded.
“On my phone.”
Daniel grabbed her wrist.
“Chloe.”
Jennifer’s father-in-law stood immediately.
“Take your hand off her.”
Daniel released her.
Chloe stepped backward.
She unlocked her phone.
Her fingers trembled.
Then she held the screen toward Jennifer.
A laboratory report.
Probability of paternity.
99.99%.
Jennifer stared at it for three seconds.
Then she looked at Daniel.
He had spent three months pretending Lily’s baptism was proof of his devotion.
All while secretly supporting another child he knew was his.
Jennifer returned to her chair.
She picked up the unpaid hotel bill.
Then she placed it directly in front of Daniel.
“Now you understand my question.”
His face was gray.
Jennifer spoke slowly.
May you like
“Why should I pay for a party you used to hide the family you already started somewhere else?”
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