Chapter 18 DNA Doubts

Chapter 18 DNA Doubts
The house felt like a pressure cooker those days. Every room hummed with unspoken accusations, every glance carried weight I couldn't shake. I'd wake up in the middle of the night, heart racing from dreams where Humphrey rose from his urn, pointing a bony finger at me, whispering "hypocrite" over and over.

The guilt was a constant ache now, like a bruise that wouldn't heal. Lust still pulled me to Ruby,those secret meets where her growing belly pressed against me, her moans drowning out the voices in my head,but self-loathing followed right after, sour and relentless. I was torn between wanting to confess everything and burying it deeper, hoping the dirt would hold.

Mom started clearing out Humphrey's things that week. His study first,the room he'd always kept locked, grumbling about "privacy" when anyone asked. She did it alone at first, boxes stacked in the hallway, labeled "donate" or "trash." I'd offer to help, but she'd wave me off. "I need to do this myself," she'd say. Her voice, flat and eyes distant,like she was digging through more than old papers and ties.

I didn't push,part of me was afraid of what she'd find. Humphrey's secrets had spilled at the funeral, but what if there were more? Letters? Photos? Proof that the rot went deeper than we knew? Suspense built in my chest like a storm cloud, dark and heavy. I caught myself listening at the door when she was in there, heart thumping, waiting for a gasp or a sob that meant something big had surfaced.

The family dinners were the worst,mom insisted on them still, like routine could stitch us back together. But they exploded every time. That Friday night was no different. Table set for us all—me, Mom, Robbinson, Ruby, Susan, Lilly. The air was thick with tension from the start.

Susan and Lilly showed up late, bellies leading the way. They were both about five months now, curves undeniable under their loose shirts. Susan slammed the door a little too hard. Lilly didn't say hello, just slid into her chair with a sigh.

Mom served lasagna. "Hot from the oven," she said. Smile forced.

Robbinson poured wine,skipped the girls and Ruby. "Water okay?"

Ruby nodded. Hand on her belly under the table. I felt her foot brush mine. Quick. Reassuring. But it sent a jolt through me, lust flickering even here.

We ate in awkward bites,forks clinking. Then Susan set hers down loud.

"This is bullshit," she said.

Mom flinched. "Language, please."

Susan ignored her. "We're all sitting here pretending,like Humphrey didn't fuck us up for life."

Lilly stared at her plate. "Susan—"

"No." Susan leaned forward. "He abused us. Got us pregnant,and we're supposed to just eat lasagna and chat about the weather?"

Robbinson cleared his throat. "We all know. But dragging it up every time…..come on"

"Drags what up?" Susan snapped. "The truth? You want us to bury it like him?"
Mom's eyes filled. "Please. Not tonight."

Ruby jumped in smoothly. "Susan, honey. We're family,we need to support each other."
Susan laughed. Cold. "Support? like how you're supporting Richy?"
My fork froze midway to my mouth.
Ruby's face stayed calm. "What does that mean?"

"You know." Susan's eyes flicked to me. "Sneaking around. Her pregnant too. Coincidence?"

The table erupted.Robbinson slammed his hand down. "Enough with that! You have no proof."

Lilly spoke quietly. Deadly. "We saw his car near our house. Late nights,and Mom's glowing. Like us."

Mom gasped. "Girls…."

Ruby stood. Voice steady but sharp. "This is grief talking. You're lashing out. I get it. But accusing me,us,of that? It's cruel."

Susan stood too. "Cruel? Like what Humphrey did? Or like you ignoring it all these years?"

Ruby's eyes narrowed. "I didn't ignore anything. I tried to help,remember when I took you shopping after those bad days'? When I listened?"

Manipulation,classic Ruby,twisting the narrative. Protecting her image.

Susan faltered. "That was... different."
"Was it?" Ruby pressed. "I was there for you. Always."

Lilly shook her head. "Bull. You knew he was a creep,you just looked the other way."

The argument boiled over,shouts overlapping,and Robbinson trying to mediate. "Calm down, everyone!"

I sat there torn,I wanted to defend Ruby. I wanted to confess,guilt and obsession warring inside.

Susan pointed at me. "And you. Sitting there quietly,like you didn't know about him and us."

I snapped. "I knew pieces,like everyone. What do you want me to say?"

"The truth!" Lilly yelled.

Robbinson stood. "Stop this. Now."

The room fell silent. Breathing heavy.Mom wiped her face. "Please. Let's eat."But no one did. Susan and Lilly left first. Door slamming.

Ruby sat back down,touched Robbinson's arm. "They're hurting,"he nodded. But his eyes lingered on her belly. Suspicious.

Dinner ended cold. Plates cleared in silence.

Later, Mom cornered me in the hallway. "Is there truth to what they said?"

"No," I lied.She searched my face. "I hope not,for all our sake."She walked away,leaving me standing there,guilt heavy.