Chapter 160 Genetic Test Results

Chapter 160 Genetic Test Results
Sarah POV

Michael and I stared at each other, both stunned by this impossible result. But shock aside, Lily's life took priority.

"Doctor, please take whatever blood you need," Michael said quickly, rolling up his sleeve. "We can discuss the genetics later."

The medical team moved efficiently, drawing Michael's blood for the immediate transfusion. A nurse quickly labeled the blood bags and hurried toward the operating room.

Mom, Michael, and I sat in the waiting area, the strange revelation hanging between us. For nearly an hour, none of us spoke.

Finally, Michael broke the silence. "We need to talk about what the doctor said," he said quietly.

I nodded, though my throat felt tight. "The genetic markers... Michael, how is that possible? You told me you've never..."

"I haven't." Michael pressed his palms against his temples. "Sarah, I swear to you, I've never been in a relationship that could have resulted in a child. There's only been..." He paused, his expression shifting. "There was only one time, years ago."

"What kind of time?"

"A one-night encounter at the Crown Club. Someone drugged my drink, and I had an intimate moment with someone, but I have no clear memory of who it was. That's the only possibility."

The name hit me like a physical blow.

"The Crown Club?" My voice came out as a whisper.

"You know it?"

"I..." My mouth went dry. "Michael, my one-night encounter that I told you about... It also happened at the Crown Club. "

We stared at each other as the impossible truth dawned on us both.

"When exactly?" Michael asked, his voice hoarse.

"December fifteenth. Five years ago." Mom had told me the date. According to her, I'd confided in her before my memory issues began.

Michael stumbled. "That's... that's the same night."

Mom gasped softly, her hand flying to her mouth.

"You mean to tell me," I said slowly, "that we... that you and I..."

"It appears so." Michael's voice was barely audible. "Sarah, if that's true, and if Lily is connected to me genetically, then..."

"Then Lily isn't adopted. She's our biological daughter." The words felt surreal leaving my mouth. "But that would mean Ashley..."

"Ashley isn't your daughter," Michael finished grimly.

Before we could process this further, Dr. Peterson emerged from the operating room, still in scrubs.

"The surgery went well," he announced. "Lily is stable and will make a full recovery. She'll be moved to a regular room shortly."

"Doctor," Michael said, "we need to run additional genetic testing. Can you test both Sarah and me against Lily?"

"Of course."

"How quickly can we get the results?" Michael pressed. "This is extremely important."

The doctor considered for a moment. "Given the unusual circumstances, I can put a rush on it. We should have results by tomorrow morning."

"And doctor," I added, "we need complete confidentiality on this matter."

"Absolutely, Mrs. Johnson."

After he drew my blood sample, we were directed to Lily's new room. She looked so small in the hospital bed.

Mom followed us into the room, her expression still stunned. "This is... I can barely wrap my head around this."

"It's a lot," I agreed.

"You know what this means, though?" Mom continued thoughtfully. "This is wonderful news. You haven't just found each other as husband and wife. You've found your daughter."

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," I said, though part of me was already hoping desperately that it was true.

Mom nodded. "You two need time to talk through this. I'll go sit with Ashley. Until we know for certain what's what, someone should be with her."

After Mom left, Michael and I sat in the quiet room, watching Lily sleep.

"If this is real," I said softly, " how would you feel?"

Michael's smile was gentle but filled with emotion. "Sarah, if Lily is our daughter, it only makes our family stronger. It means we were meant to find each other in every possible way."

Lily stirred then, her face scrunching up as consciousness returned. A soft whimper escaped her lips, and she began to cry.

"Hey, sweetheart," I said, starting to reach for her.

Michael was already moving. "Let me. The doctor said she might be in pain from the surgery, and holding her gently might help."

He carefully lifted Lily from the bed, supporting her head and being mindful of her IV line. She immediately quieted in his arms, her small hands clutching at his shirt.

"Do you want to hear a story, little one? Or maybe a song?" Michael asked softly.

"It hurts," Lily whimpered. "I don't want to listen. Just want Daddy to hold me."

"I'm right here. Daddy's got you."

He began walking slowly around the room, rocking her gently. Gradually, her breathing evened out, and she fell back asleep, but her tiny fists remained wrapped in his shirt fabric.

"Maybe you should put her back in the bed," I whispered.

Michael shook his head. "If she wakes up now and the pain hits her again, it'll be much harder for her to get back to sleep. It's okay, I can hold her. Sarah, you should get some rest."

"I can't sleep." I perched on the edge of the bed, watching them both. "Michael, Lily is so lucky to have you as a father."

"I've felt responsible for her from the very first day," Michael admitted. "Now it all makes sense. To think... we've been raising our own daughter all this time? Of course, I must treat her like a princess."

"The results aren't confirmed yet," I reminded him with a small smile. "And keep your voice down. You don't want the baby in my belly to hear and get jealous later."

Michael leaned down toward my belly, speaking in the softest whisper, "If you have a boy, he and I will protect you girls together. If it's a girl, I'll protect all three of you."

Just then, Michael's phone buzzed with a call.

"I should take this," he said, reaching for his phone awkwardly with one free hand.

"Chris? What's the update on Carmen?"

I could hear Chris's voice clearly in the quiet room.

"She's in police custody and talking. Fully confessed to the kidnapping, and she's even admitting to why she got released. Apparently, some lawyer approached her in prison, arranged for her early release on the condition that she target you and Sarah. She provided the lawyer's phone number, but when we called, it was disconnected."

Michael's expression darkened. "Did she say what this lawyer looks like?"

"Carmen gave a description to the police. They're investigating, but whoever this person is, they covered their tracks well."

"Keep me informed of any developments."

"Will do. How's Lily?"

"She's going to be fine." Michael glanced down at the sleeping child in his arms. "Chris, we've had some... unexpected revelations tonight. I'll fill you in later."

After hanging up, I shook my head in disgust. "Someone actually arranged Carmen's release just to hurt us. That's beyond evil."

"We'll find whoever's behind this," Michael promised. "But you know what's strange? In a twisted way, if this lawyer hadn't orchestrated Carmen's revenge, we might never have discovered the truth about Lily."

"Don't give them credit for anything good," I said firmly. "We'll wait for tomorrow's results before drawing any conclusions."

Lily slept in Michael's arms through the night. When morning came, I finally convinced him to let me take a turn while he rested. Around eight AM, Tomas arrived with the genetic test results for Ashley, while Michael went to collect Lily's report from the hospital lab.

When Michael returned with two sealed envelopes, we sat facing each other, each taking one.

"You take Lily's results," I said, handing him the envelope. "I'll open Ashley's."

My hands trembled as I broke the seal. The clinical language blurred before my eyes until I found the crucial line. I looked up at Michael.

"Ashley is my biological daughter."

A wave of complex emotions washed over me, but disappointment was surprisingly at the forefront. I'd been hoping that Lily was my daughter. After all, Ashley was showing disturbing behavior and lying about not seeing Lily during the kidnapping. Meanwhile, Lily was warm, loving, and had formed such a strong bond with our family.

Michael studied his envelope, then looked up at me with an expression I couldn't read.

"What does yours say?" I asked.

"Sarah," Michael said quietly, "you and Lily are biological mother and daughter."

I blinked hard. "What?"