The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 42

**Chapter 42: Confirmatory Test**

Serena stepped into the lavish penthouse belonging to Xavier just after eleven o’clock in the morning, the sun streaming through the large windows, casting warm rays across the immaculate decor. She made her way directly to the second room, the one designated for her comfort during this delicate time in her life.

As she entered, she found Mrs. Jones, the nursing aide Xavier had thoughtfully hired to assist her, meticulously preparing the fetal heartbeat monitor. The soft whirring of the machine filled the room, creating a serene atmosphere that contrasted with the whirlwind of thoughts swirling in Serena’s mind.

“Ah, perfect timing, Miss Kline! Let’s see how our little ones are doing,” Mrs. Jones said, her voice bright and reassuring, a smile illuminating her face.

Serena settled into the plush bed, the soft sheets enveloping her as she lay back. Mrs. Jones gently placed the fetal heart monitor against her belly, the coolness of the device sending a small shiver through her. As the rhythmic thumping of the heartbeats filled the air, Mrs. Jones beamed, “Everything sounds perfect! Just what we like to hear.”

With a practiced ease, Mrs. Jones then checked Serena’s blood pressure, her hands steady and confident. “You’re doing great,” she assured, before handing over a small array of prenatal vitamins. “And don’t forget to take these. They’re essential for both you and the babies.”

As she busied herself in the kitchen, Mrs. Jones called back to Serena, “I’m almost done with lunch. You should eat soon; it’s important to keep your strength up.”

Serena sighed softly, “I’m not feeling very hungry yet,” she admitted, stifling a yawn. “I think I’d rather just rest for a bit.”

Mrs. Jones nodded knowingly, “At this stage of pregnancy, tiredness is your constant companion. Go ahead and close your eyes; I’ll make sure to wake you up around one for lunch.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Jones,” Serena murmured, her eyelids growing heavy as she succumbed to the pull of sleep.

In that fleeting moment of slumber, a vivid dream enveloped her. She found herself standing on a bridge, the air thick with tension. There, she spotted Alice, her dear friend, who turned to her with a haunting gaze. “Serena,” she called out, her voice echoing in the stillness.

Then, in a shocking instant, Alice leaped into the river below.

“NO! Alice!” Serena shot upright in bed, her heart pounding furiously against her ribcage, a cold sweat breaking out across her skin. The remnants of the dream clung to her, leaving a chill in the air.

A tumult of emotions surged within her, a desperate urge to reach out to the Hartleys clawing at her heart. But guilt quickly followed, heavy and suffocating. Why did she feel this way?

Because Victor’s shadow loomed large over the circumstances surrounding Alice’s disappearance. The very thought that her quest for truth might have inadvertently endangered Alice weighed heavily on her conscience. And then there was Nathaniel, a name that pierced her heart like a dagger, a connection she couldn’t shake, no matter how hard she tried.

Earlier that week, Xavier had dispatched someone to investigate Alice’s disappearance once more. The results were disheartening—nothing had changed. Alice’s body remained unfound, lost to the world.

In truth, Serena grappled with a harrowing dilemma: which was worse—discovering Alice’s lifeless form or living with the uncertainty of whether she was alive or gone forever?

She instinctively placed a hand on her stomach, feeling the gentle flutter of life within. Her next checkup was just around the corner, and with her spirits lifting, she felt a flicker of determination. Perhaps it was time to confront the Hartleys, despite the pain it might bring.

“I’ll talk to Xavier about it,” she whispered to herself, the weight of her decision settling in.

A gentle knock at the door broke her reverie.

“It’s time for lunch,” Mrs. Jones announced, her voice warm and inviting.

Mrs. Jones was not only vigilant about the health of the babies but also dedicated to ensuring that Serena adhered to a nutritious diet.

As they sat together, Serena savored a bowl of vegetable soup and butter-toasted bread. Just as she was beginning to relax, a sudden urgency filled the air; the results of the DNA test had arrived.

“Miss Kline, the package is here for you,” Mrs. Jones called from the door, her tone laced with anticipation.

Serena’s heart raced as she approached the door, the sender’s name sending a jolt of anxiety through her. National Forensic Genetics Bureau.

With trembling hands, she moved to the balcony area of the living room, the fresh air doing little to quell her nerves. As she opened the package, the first paper she pulled out was a comparison report against Victor’s sample. Her breath caught in her throat as she read the stark declaration:

[The Probability of Paternity is 0%]

A gasp escaped her lips, and her hands shook violently as she shoved the paper back into its envelope. Heart pounding, she carefully retrieved the second document, her mind racing with possibilities.

[National Forensic Genetics Bureau

Central Forensic Complex, Capital City

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