Chapter 12 - Blood at the Front Door

Mark opened the door but did not step aside.

Jason Cole was taller than he looked in the old photograph. Mid-forties. Tired eyes. Clean work boots. No smile.

"I know we said Saturday," Jason said. "I was in town for work. I should've called."

"Yes. You should have."

Lily appeared behind Mark.

"Is that him?"

Jason's face changed when he saw her.

Every bit of practiced calm disappeared.

"Wow."

Lily folded her arms.

"That's a weird first word."

Jason laughed nervously.

"Sorry. You look like my sister at your age."

Mark hated the ache that crossed Lily's face.

A connection.

Instant and biological.

He hated himself more for hating it.

Sarah came to the door.

"You can come in for ten minutes."

Mark looked at her.

She whispered, "Public place is safer emotionally. Our home is safer physically. Pick one."

He moved aside.

Jason entered.

Austin stayed near the stairs, watching.

Jason handed Lily the envelope.

"Photos. My parents. My sister. My son. I thought you might want to see where some of your face comes from."

Lily opened it.

She found a picture of Jason at thirteen.

Same eyes.

Same crooked smile.

She sat down.

"Oh."

Mark looked away.

Jason noticed.

"I'm not here to replace you."

"Good."

"Mark," Sarah warned.

Jason sat across from Lily.

"I brought a home DNA kit, but we don't have to use it. We can do a lab. Whatever makes everyone comfortable."

Lily stared at the photos.

"Do your parents know about me?"

"They know there might be a girl out there."

"Did they care?"

Jason paused.

"My mother never stopped asking."

Lily blinked fast.

Mark's hands curled.

Austin saw it.

"Dad."

Mark looked at him.

Austin's expression said everything: Don't do to her what you did to me.

Mark opened his hands.

"Lily decides the pace."

Jason nodded.

For ten minutes, the room was tense but calm.

Then Jason stood.

"I'll go."

At the door, he turned back.

"One more thing. If the test confirms I'm her father, my parents will want to meet her."

Mark stiffened.

"One step at a time."

Jason's eyes narrowed slightly.

"She's not a possession."

Mark took one step forward.

"On that, we agree."

Jason left.

The door closed.

Lily kept looking at the photo of Jason's mother.

Then she whispered, "She looks like me."

Mark forced himself to smile.

"Yeah. She does."

Lily looked up.

"Does that hurt you?"

Mark answered truthfully.

"Yes."

She went still.

He continued.

"But that's my hurt to handle. Not yours to carry."

Austin looked at him differently for the first time since the night of the old clothes.

Then Lily's phone buzzed.

A message from Jason.

She read it.

Her face changed.

"He says my mother died last year."

May you like

She Tried to Kill a Disabled Woman at a Billionaire’s Pool Party—But One...

She had already lost her leg. Now, they were trying to take her life.At a luxury mansion filled with millionaires, a terrified you...

THEY DECLARED HER DEAD—THEN ORDERED HER CREMATED WHILE SHE WAS STILL ALI...

They were about to burn her alive.Her death certificate had already been signed. Her body was scheduled for immediate cremation. A...

She Pushed a Pregnant Woman in a Wheelchair Into the Pool—Then Her Husba...

She was pregnant. She was in a wheelchair. And the woman standing behind her was smiling.Seconds later, one brutal shove sent her...

And below that was another line.

SHE LEFT SOMETHING FOR YOU.