The Wrong Girl and the Wronged Girl (Stella and Ethan) novel Chapter 863

863: The Truth Beneath the Lies

Dan let out a low, almost bitter chuckle that echoed softly in the tense room.

That single phrase—“I want to find out too”—landed with the force of a bombshell, shattering the fragile silence that had settled.

What exactly did he mean by that? Was it possible that after all these years, doubt hadn’t been confined to outsiders alone? Had he harbored suspicion all along, quietly simmering beneath the surface?

Artemis felt a sharp constriction in her chest, as if a cold hand was squeezing her heart. The son of that woman—of course he was just as ruthless and unforgiving. She should have seen it coming. Cruelty wasn’t just a trait; it was in his very blood.

Who did he think he was, daring to question them like this?

Yet, despite the rising storm inside her, Artemis held her tongue, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of a response.

Before she could gather her thoughts, Dan repeated himself, this time slower, his voice dripping with icy resolve. “We need to clear everything up. All of it.”

That word—everything—pierced Artemis and Manny like a dagger, sharp and unforgiving.

“Dan, don’t push this too far!” Manny growled, stepping forward with clenched fists.

But Artemis caught his wrist before he could move any further, her eyes silently warning him to hold back.

Everything? No. That was impossible. Absolutely not.

If Dale insisted on running a DNA test between himself and Manny today, it would shatter everything they had tried to protect.

Pressed into a corner by Dan’s relentless insistence, Artemis found herself forced to retreat, swallowing her pride.

She turned sharply to the butler. “Lenny, any news from Trevor?”

“Not yet,” Lenny replied softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Then tell them to hurry!” she snapped through gritted teeth, frustration and desperation lacing her words.

She had made a choice—she had agreed.

She had consented to Dale, Lina, and Lana undergoing the test.

In that moment, Artemis realized the cruel truth: she had to sacrifice someone.

Since Dale was determined to test his daughters, she had to find a way to divert his attention away from Manny.

“Mother,” Manny’s voice cut through the tension, low and sharp.

A DNA test with Lina and Lana? That would unravel everything.

Artemis felt a pounding ache behind her temples. She looked toward Dale, her voice soft but trembling with emotion. “Manny, your father doesn’t trust us anymore. If this is the only way for him to find peace, then we have to give him that, okay?”

“But—”

“Save it,” Dan interrupted, his tone cold and unyielding. “No one’s backing out. You, me, everyone—test included.”

Artemis stared at him, stunned into silence.

Manny fell quiet, the weight of the moment pressing down on him.

She couldn’t bear it anymore. She had already agreed to the tests for Lina and Lana, yet Dan kept pushing, relentless.

Seeing her unravel like this, Dale finally turned to look at her for the first time that night.

That single glance made Artemis’s heart plummet.

She took a deep breath, fighting to steady her shaking hands. “Please, don’t humiliate me like this,” she whispered, almost pleading.

“Humiliation?” Dan shot back sharply. “Or are you just afraid to take the test?”

Artemis and Manny froze, the accusation hanging heavy in the air.

Dan wasn’t about to relent. No matter what they said, he kept dragging the conversation back to the DNA test.

The truth was, he had been waiting for this moment for years.

Dan had hoped for any sign of strain between Dale and Artemis, but their marriage had always been unbreakable—too close, too strong for anyone to tear apart.

Now that crack had finally appeared, and Dan was determined to exploit it fully.

Whatever move Artemis made, he countered with even more pressure.

Both Artemis and Manny felt their hearts pounding so loudly it seemed the whole room could hear.

Dan fixed his gaze on Dale, voice cold and merciless. “So, what’s it going to be? Become the town’s laughingstock—or keep raising someone else’s children?”

The question hung in the air, heavy and impossible to ignore.