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“Paternity test? Damn it, Byron, stop being a fucking moron.”
He cleared his throat. “Are you aware that only weeks before your marriage, Evelyn Rossi had a medical procedure to conceive at the Atlanta Center for Hopes and Dreams Conception?”
“Yes. So what’s your point?”
“My point is that she could be carrying another man’s child. It might not be a Hartwell. No Hartwell. No money. Your father’s will was explicit.”
“You bastard,” I threatened. “She is having my baby. It’s my baby.”
“You’ll need to prove it. I’ve filed a court order.”
I stood outside the doctor’s office. I could see Evie in the lobby. Her belly was round now. There was no way to conceal her pregnancy. She waved me inside. I held up a finger.
“Byron, you will hear from my attorney. Tell my mother if she wants to disavow her own grandchild, fine. But making Evie go through this is cruel. She’s my wife. I won’t let you upset her.”
“My obligation is to inform you of the legal aspect of the estate. Mrs. Hartwell is your concern.”
I hung up before I blasted him again. I had to cool down before I walked inside. Evie could always read me. She knew when I was frustrated or distracted.
I took a deep breath, opened the door, and walked inside.
I waited until after the ultrasound was over and Evie was getting dressed before I followed Dr. Simons into the hall.
“Did you need something, Jeremy?”
I waited for a nurse to leave the station. “I have a question. A personal question.”
Dr. Simon laughed. “Is this another sex question? You two should have that covered by now.”
I shook my head. “I wish it was a sex question.” I shoved my hands in my pockets. “At this point in the pregnancy, what are the options for a paternity test?”
She frowned. “I’m sorry, did you mean paternity or something else?”
“Believe me, I know that’s my baby.” I tried to reassure her. “This is a legal matter. I don’t want to tell Evie until I have the information. Is it possible? Tell me what we’d need to do.”
Dr. Simons placed her clipboard on the nurses’ station. “Unless there is an emergency, or a dire situation involving the mother’s health or care, I can’t advise you to try a paternity test. Evie has had a healthy pregnancy with no risk factors. The baby is doing well. I don’t want to introduce any complications. My opinion is that if you need a paternity test you wait until your child is born.”
I hung my head. “Of course. I wouldn’t…I’d never put either of them at risk. Forget that I asked.”
She patted my wrist. “I won’t say anything. I’ll see you in four weeks for the thirty-week?”
“Yes. I’ll be here.”
The door opened and Evie walked into the hall. “What’s going on?”
“Following up,” I lied. “Can I take you to lunch?”
She grinned. “I’m starving.”
“Good. I made reservations.”
She blushed. “A date-date?”
“Am I going to get lucky?” I taunted.
“Maybe.” She laughed. “Only if I get dessert.”
“Come on.” I tugged on her hand.
