Jakob, who had been quietly observing the exchange, couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for the man in front of him. Despite having lost a portion of his limb, James exuded an aura of confidence and intimidation.
Jakob had read stories about his bravery, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of respect for the man. He just got a hell of a poor hand dealt to him. Shitty insurance and disability payments, he was owed better by a government that used him until he was broken and tossed him away.
James, however, was growing increasingly agitated. "Listen, Doc, I don't know what's going on, but I want to know what's happening with my daughter. Is she okay?" he demanded.
Joseph hesitated, his eyes darting around the room before finally settling on James. "Let's just step inside of a boardroom, have a drink, and we'll talk it out there, shall we?" he suggested, his voice low and even.
He guided the worried couple to the elevator. A nurse walked up and handed him two test kits. They took the elevator up to the top floor, and he guided the couple into the boardroom. His assistant came into the room with a bottle of 40-year-old Scotch and three tumblers with a single whiskey stone in them.
"I need to ask you both for a DNA sample. It's just a precautionary measure to confirm Selena's identity." Joseph Whitehaven ripped the bandaid off as he sat down the kits and extended out the magnified footprints from the birth record and the one taken tonight.
"What the fuck does that mean? What's fuck is going on? Why do you need a DNA test?" Molly said and looked down. She looked at the prints, not wanting to put two and two together and freak out. That wasn't her daughter.
Joseph picked up the glass full of scotch and took a sip, he cleared his throat. "I'd rather not discuss it here. Can you both just give me the samples, please?" Joseph urged.
"James isn't Selena's biological father. But I'll give you a sample. However, I want to know what's going on before I do." Molly said, her knees shaking. She poured herself a big glass of Scotch. Her hand quivering from fear. This was a nightmare. A fucking nightmare.
"Very well. I'll tell you. But please, let's sit down." Joseph said, she wouldn't back down. At least it showed that her brain worked better than the Fake Lowrie Daughters.
Molly and James exchange a worried glance before sitting down."Molly." James gave her a look.
"We've found a...discrepancy in Selena's records. It appears that her footprint matches that of another infant who went home with another family. I thought my son was pranking me." Joseph finished the first glass and poured himself a huge glass of Scotch like the woman did. He offered James, but the man shook his hand. He looked distraught.
"What? That's impossible. Selena's my girl. She had to stay extra days. I got sober for her." Molly exclaimed. She remembered everything about the poor baby that had to earn custody back from her parents. She continued to stay off drugs for her. She was drinking less because of her. Selena was hers. Molly pushed the glass of Scotch away, defying the urge to drink.
Joseph looked at the couple. "I know it sounds incredible, but we need to investigate further. That's why we need the DNA samples." Joseph said, her mournful weeping and tears ate at his soul. He remembered his lawyer's words. He drank a mouthful of Scotch.
Molly looked at James, then back at Joseph. "I'll give you the sample. But I don't care what the results say; Selena is my daughter. If I lose her. I don't know what I'll do." She wanted to spit in the doctor's face. She held back; Selena was getting free care here.
James puts a reassuring hand on Molly's shoulder."What about the other girl, Molly? Doesn't she deserve a chance, too? What about the other 'Selena' and her parents? This hurts like hell, Baby. But we have to do the right thing, even if it is hard. That's the way we taught 'our daughter. '" James emphasized that he loved his kiddo.
"Let's just get this over with." Molly spat out with emotion. She didn't know if she could connect with another child like her and Selena did. Selena was the first thing she tried her best on in her life. Their little family had improved. She was two months away from quitting the Lion permanently.
Joseph nodded nervously and took the DNA sample from Molly. "Thank you. We will rush this. Just hold on before you say anything to your daughter. Emotional Stress can cause epileptic seizures in patients, and it'll traumatize the girl. I will call you and reel my son in so he doesn't let the cat out of the bag." Joseph advised the two parents.
"Take all the time you need. I'll have the staff add chairs and bring supper to your daughter's room." Joseph said. James nodded looking at the man. This wasn't his fault. It was the nurse's fault. He couldn't punch this problem in the face to make it better.
"Oh, Baby. What're we going do?" James broke down. Molly burst into tears and stood up. James pulled her into an embrace, holding her close, trying to comfort her. They were both very distraught.
Molly buried herself in his arms as they both sobbed, "I don't care what anyone says, Selena is my goddamn daughter. I don't care about the fucking DNA results or anything else. Fuck, another fucking kid, what if she's a psychopath like Robby?" Molly said.
"Babe, she's half you, so she can't be that bad. Plus, you can put your foot down now. We'll get through this together. We can open our hearts to another child as well. Didn't you want another?" James said, trying to make light of the situation. "We can split custody. What matters is Selena and what she wants." James said as he morosely rubbed Molly's back soothingly.
Molly and James shuffled downstairs like zombies as they sat in the hospital room, waiting for the DNA results that could change their lives forever, as Liam showed up with Jonah's toothbrush and hairbrush for DNA comparison.
Gunn gave it to his flustered father. "Dad, I had to. You know what is at stake?" Gunn fidgeted, looking at his now slightly twitchy, drunk father.
Joseph looked at his son. He was the CEO of this hospital and a respected neurologist. He wanted nothing more than to take off his belt and vent his frustration. But if the Lowrie's found out he had done, it would be worse for them. "I get it. Just stay out of my sight." Joseph gnashed his teeth.
Gunn walked up, "Can I stay with you for a few weeks?" Jakob dry swallowed and nodded. It was rough for Gunn. He acted out because of his parents. Jakob patted him on the back. It was hard to escape abusive and powerful parents. Gunn had taught him that.
Jakob knew that Joseph Whitehaven was a professional and kind-appearing man, but he wasn't at home. Gunn couldn't be himself at home, he had to be on his best behavior or invisible. He wasn't a bad kid, but he'd go nuclear with a prank or behavior if he was just going to be punished at home. Gunn was abused.
Gunn's mother turned a blind eye to it or wasn't at home. Gunn was the product of a contract marriage without love. His mother loved another man and resented the marriage and him. He was raised by two nannies, and the first one was fired for filing a police report and shielding him.
So Gunn now slept over and the staff of the Whitehaven family who pitied him would communicate with him as to when it was safe, and he had continuous sleep-overs. Then it became a thing among them during the summer when they didn't go to private school.
The Lowrie's were the best for the summer and would take them on weeks-long trips to their beach home. They were brothers. Jakob looked at Gunn. "Three to four years more, buddy. Maybe less." Jakob consoled him. He patted Gunn on the back. "You did the right thing, buddy."
Gunn hung his head as he forced his emotions back. "It's for the best. At least she might be happier, right? I just didn't ruin her life?"
Jakob consoled him. "No, I don't think you did." Jakob and Liam had a standing arranged marriage as the firstborn son of the Reinhold family to the daughter of the Lowrie family. Liam and he dreaded it in the past, but he was honestly nervous that he'd fight for it in the future instead of against it. Selena was hot and tough.