Chapter 9 - The Truth About Blood|
Damian read the report three times.
The document appeared to show that he was Michael's biological father, but its authenticity remained uncertain. The sample information was incomplete, and the chain of custody had been broken.
“Where did you get this?”
“From Eleanor's papers.”
“When?”
“Two years ago. She left a box at the children's home. I didn't know what it meant until I started looking into my birth.”
Damian struggled to speak.
“I was twelve when you were born.”
Michael nodded.
“I know.”
“Then the report could be fraudulent.”
“That's why I agreed to meet you. I want a proper test.”
Damian looked at him.
“Do you believe I'm your father?”
Michael's expression was guarded.
“I believe someone wants us to believe it.”
That answer was more sensible than anything Damian could have said.
They arranged an independent DNA test through a qualified laboratory. Both men provided samples voluntarily, and the laboratory confirmed the identity of the samples under documented procedures.
The results would take several days.
In the meantime, Damian asked Michael what he knew about Eleanor.
“She told me that she worked for your family. She said she made a mistake and had to disappear to protect me.”
“What mistake?”
“She never explained.”
Michael studied him.
“Did you know my mother?”
“No. I knew her name. I believed she was dead.”
“Then someone has lied to both of us.”
Damian could not argue.
He offered Michael a place to stay while the investigation continued. Michael declined.
“I've lived on my own for years. I don't need your money.”
“Then I won't offer it again.”
Michael seemed surprised.
“Most people in your position would.”
“Most people in my position have spent years believing money can solve everything.”
Michael almost smiled.
“Maybe you're learning.”
The DNA results arrived four days later.
The probability of a biological father-son relationship was effectively conclusive.
Damian was Michael's father.
The news hit him with a force he had not anticipated.
He had missed Gabriel's twelve hours and six minutes. Now he discovered that he had a son who had grown up without knowing him.
He called Claire's lawyer and asked whether Claire would be willing to receive the information. He did not contact her directly.
She agreed to a short meeting in Milwaukee.
When Damian arrived, he brought no guards inside the community center.
Claire sat across from him with her hands folded in her lap.
“Is it true?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“You have a twenty-three-year-old son?”
“Yes.”
“Did you know about him?”
“No.”
She looked away.
For a long time, she said nothing.
Then she asked, “Why does every truth about your family arrive after someone has already been hurt?”
Damian had no answer.
He told her about Michael, the DNA test, and the trust established by his father.
He did not ask her to comfort him.
He did not ask her to understand.
When he finished, Claire took a slow breath.
“Does Michael know about Gabriel?”
“Yes. I told him I had a son who died prematurely.”
“What did he say?”
“He said he was sorry.”
Claire's eyes filled.
“That's more than most people have said.”
Damian looked down.
“I'm sorry, Claire.”
She shook her head.
“I can't keep hearing those words and pretending they're enough.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
He looked at her.
“I know that I cannot undo what happened. I know I don't have the right to ask you to come home. And I know that if I ever want to become someone you can trust, I have to do it without expecting you to reward me.”
Claire studied him.
For the first time, she saw no demand in his expression.
Only grief.
“I hope you become that man,” she said.
He nodded.
“So do I.”
Before leaving, he told her that he had begun cooperating with investigators examining the family's business operations. He had also removed Victor Salerno from his position and transferred control of the legitimate companies to an independent board.
“Why?” she asked.
“Because I don't want our children growing up believing that power means the right to control other people.”
Claire looked at him carefully.
“Then don't stop halfway.”
“I won't.”
After Damian left, Claire sat alone for a long time.
She felt no desire to return to him.
But she felt something she had not felt in months.
The possibility that people could change without demanding that the person they hurt remain beside them.
That evening, Michael called Damian.
“I received another letter from Eleanor.”
Damian sat upright.
“What does it say?”
Michael read the final paragraph aloud.
If Damian has finally learned to choose people over the empire, tell him the truth about the night Salvatore died.
Michael paused.
“The letter says Salvatore was not killed because of the money.”
Damian gripped the phone.
“Then why was he killed?”
Michael continued reading.
He was killed because he discovered that someone in the family had arranged a second identity for Damian before he was born.
Damian felt the room go cold.
May you like
Before he could ask what that meant, Michael added one final sentence.
“Eleanor says your birth certificate is false.”
