Chapter 3 – The Report No One Expected
The front door opened.
Olivia's obstetrician, Dr. Evelyn Carter, stepped inside with a sealed medical envelope.
Jason looked confused.
"What is she doing here?"
Olivia answered calmly.
"I asked her to come."
Dr. Carter placed the envelope on the table.
"Mrs. Bennett requested that I deliver these results in person."
Margaret frowned.
"The DNA test?"
Dr. Carter nodded.
"Yes."
She opened the report.
"The paternity test confirms with greater than 99.99 percent certainty that Jason Bennett is the biological father."
Jason let out a shaky breath.
"I told you."
Dr. Carter raised one finger.
"I'm not finished."
She removed another report.
"This is today's ultrasound."
The room grew quiet.
"The stress Mrs. Bennett has endured over the past several weeks has caused dangerously high blood pressure."
She looked directly at Jason.
"Another severe emotional episode could have resulted in premature labor."
Jason slowly lowered his eyes.
Dr. Carter continued.
"If that had happened..."
"...both mother and baby could have died."
No one spoke.
Margaret stared at the medical report with trembling hands.
Every cruel accusation.
Every public humiliation.
Every insult.
They had all pushed Olivia closer to losing her child.
Tears rolled down Margaret's face.
"I..."
She couldn't finish.
Olivia gently folded the reports.
"I didn't stay silent because I was weak."
May you like
She looked around the table.
"I stayed silent because I needed everyone to reveal exactly who they were."
