I looked at her.
“He did it.”
She did not answer.
We both knew.
The confrontation occurred at a Bellmere police office.
Not at home.
Not with Noah nearby.
Adrian thought we were meeting an accountant about old business tax records.
When he entered and saw Dana, two detectives and me sitting at the table, he stopped.
His face changed.
“What is this?”
I placed a photograph between us.
Noah and Lucas sitting beside each other after their DNA appointment.
Adrian went white.
I watched his body understand before he could create a lie.
“Who is that?”
I almost admired the attempt.
“You know.”
“No.”
“His name is Lucas Hayes.”
Adrian sat down.
He stared at the picture.
His breathing changed.
I asked:
“Did our second baby die?”
Silence.
“Adrian.”
He closed his eyes.
That was my answer.
I started crying.
Not because I still hoped.
Because hearing truth arrive without words was somehow worse.
