“Alright,” Evelyn murmured, opening the report. She flipped straight to the final page. Her eyes scanned the result, and her face fell. Disappointment washed over her; her lips trembled, words failing her.
Jennifer snatched the report. Her eyes flew over the page, and a visible wave of relief smoothed her brow. She read aloud, “This laboratory concludes there is no biological parent–child relationship between Lucas Davis and Evelyn Davis.”
The confirmation hit Lucas like a physical blow. Utterly defeated, he stumbled backward, shoulders slamming into the wall. His last shred of hope disintegrated. ‘I’m not Ms. Davis’s son. I’m not,’ he thought, numb with despair.
He stared at Peggy, radiating triumphant, cruel confidence. An invisible vise clamped around his throat, cutting off his air.
Her blood was his curse, bound to the woman who controlled his past and now claimed his future. The phone tracker, the constant surveillance–it would never end. Condemned to suffocating control, a tool stripped of dignity and freedom.
And now she approached him, her tone unnervingly casual. “Come, Lucas. Let’s leave. We have nothing more to say to these people.”
Lucas remained rooted, nails digging into the wall, tears welling!
Seeing his resistance, Peggy’s facade cracked. Fury sharpened her voice. “Remember your promise! You will leave with me. You will obey me. Now.”
“Do you even know his dream?” Teresa demanded, stepping forward. “He wants to be an actor, to shine in the spotlight.”
Peggy dismissed her with a contemptuous wave. “He is my son. He does as I command. The test is done. He’s none of your concern. Keep pestering us, and I’ll call the police.”
“Enough.” Lucas’s voice was surprisingly steady, though tears finally traced paths down his cheeks. ‘The bet is lost. I accept it.’ He met Peggy’s gaze, unnervingly calm. “I will comply. Just leave Teresa and Ms. Davis alone. They’ve done nothing.”
Peggy smirked. “Be good, and I will.”
“I’ll listen to you. Completely,” Lucas replied, his face ashen. Then he forced a smile towards Teresa and Evelyn–a silent, heartbreaking farewell.
Lucas’s utter surrender shattered Teresa, engulfing her in profound sadness. The DNA proved he wasn’t her brother, yet seeing his terror, his resistance crushed by blood ties, filled her with fierce pity and burning anger. He deserved more than this prison.
“Enough time wasted,” Jennifer stated flatly. “The result is clear. Everyone should be satisfied.” She felt nothing for these strangers–Peggy and Lucas were irrelevant. She turned sharply and walked away. ‘Thank God that woman isn’t my mother,’ she thought with profound relief.
Evelyn touched Teresa’s arm gently. With the DNA results clear, there was nothing left to say. “Teresa, we should go,” she said softly.
Yet Teresa hesitated, a thread of defiance holding her. ‘Why isn’t Jonathan answering? Did he already know? Could we be wrong?’
As Teresa turned to follow, a heavy thud echoed behind her. She spun around: Lucas had collapsed, his face a terrifying shade of white.
“Lucas!” Everyone rushed over. “Are you okay?”
Lucas pushed himself up, swaying. He forced a weak smile. “I’m fine,” he insisted, his voice unnervingly calm. “It’s an anxiety disorder. Chest pains sometimes. I just need to sit down for a moment.”
Teresa noticed his pale lips. “Low blood sugar? Have you eaten today?” she pressed urgently.
“No appetite,” Lucas admitted.
“Silly boy. I’ll get you something.” Evelyn turned and hurried off, her concern a stark contrast to Peggy’s inaction.
Peggy stared coldly at Lucas struggling on the couch. “Don’t think this little act changes anything. You will leave with me. I won’t tolerate disobedience.”
At her words, Lucas visibly paled further. His breathing grew ragged and shallow; he clutched his chest tighter.
Teresa whirled on Peggy, voice trembling with outrage. “Are you finished? Can’t you see how bad his anxiety is? Do you have any maternal instinct? Have you ever considered his feelings? He’s sick, shattered by your suffocating control and emotional blackmail! Do you understand?”
Peggy turned on Teresa, face contorted with rage. “How I raise my son is none of your concern. Who do you think you are?” She barked past her at Lucas, “Get up!”
As Peggy lunged for Lucas, Teresa planted herself firmly in front of him. “I am Evelyn and Philip’s daughter. You destroyed my mother’s marriage. She showed you mercy, told you to behave. Did you forget?”
“Shut up!” Peggy shrieked, scarlet with fury. She drew back her hand, aiming a vicious slap at Teresa’s face.
Teresa braced to block the blow. But before she could move, another hand shot out, seizing Peggy’s wrist in a vice-like grip mid-swing. Teresa spun around, startled to see Jennifer standing there, having reappeared from the direction she’d left.
Jennifer wrenched Peggy’s arm away, flinging it aside. Her voice was icy steel. “Lay a hand on my sister, and you’ll regret it.”
Peggy stared at Jennifer. She defended Teresa against her. Fury, shock, and something indefinable warred on her face. “How dare you!” she spat.
Just then, Evelyn returned with food. Taking in the scene, she shoved Peggy back hard, positioning herself as a shield before her daughters. Her voice was low and dangerous. “Touch my girls? I’ll end you.”
Jennifer stood tall beside Evelyn, gaze fixed on Peggy. “We are not victims. You’re vile, shameless, malicious. Karma will find you.”
“SHUT UP!” Peggy screamed, jabbing a finger inches from Jennifer’s face, trembling with rage. “How dare you speak to me like that?”
Jennifer met her fury with cold contempt. “I heard every word. A homewrecker. Utterly without shame. People like you,” she spat, “are beneath contempt. Shameless.”
Peggy drew a sharp, ragged breath. ‘She despises me? Calls me shameless?’ She stared at Jennifer, gaze locked, a tempest of unreadable emotion swirling in her eyes.