Chapter 3 - The Genetic Brick Wall
“Mr. Coleman,” Dr. Aris began, his voice deep, measured, and completely devoid of the deference the Colemans were accustomed to receiving from everyone in the city. “Before we proceed with any further prenatal projections regarding gender, inheritance lines, or family legacies, I need to review the genetic history documentation you submitted during your initial intake consultation last week.”
David blinked, momentarily thrown off balance by the bizarre pivot in conversation. He let out a nervous, awkward laugh, glancing back at his parents who were now shifting uncomfortably behind him. “Genetic history? Doctor, what on earth does my family tree have to do with a routine six-month morphology scan? We’re all picture of health—million-dollar portfolio, pristine lineage, no hereditary illnesses to speak of. Just tell us if the boy is growing properly.”
“I have reviewed the diagnostic imaging three separate times to eliminate any digital artifacting,” Dr. Aris continued, ignoring David’s arrogant interruption entirely. He stepped forward and tapped the glowing screen, freezing a frame that showed the developing fetus. “Furthermore, our lab ran an expedited panel on the maternal-fetal cell-free DNA sequence requested by your insurance coordinator last Tuesday.”
Dr. Aris turned his gaze from David and fixed his eyes squarely on Allison. The young woman’s face had suddenly turned the color of curdled milk, her fingers violently digging into the fabric of the cashmere shawl.
“According to the chromosome mapping, Mr. Coleman,” Dr. Aris said, his voice dropping an octave, turning the temperature in the room into solid ice, “the fetus you are currently celebrating is carrying an XX chromosomal pairing. You are looking at a healthy baby girl.”
For three full seconds, the room was so quiet you could hear the faint hum of the overhead air filtration system. Then, Megan let out a sharp, incredulous snort. “A girl? Well, fine! Girls happen. She can be groomed for corporate philanthropy or married off to a senator’s son. That’s hardly a crisis, Doctor. Why are you acting like someone died?”
“Mrs. Vance—or Miss Vance, whatever legal designation she currently holds,” Dr. Aris corrected smoothly, his eyes never leaving Allison’s terrified face, “that is not the primary clinical anomaly flagged by our laboratory board.”
David’s smile completely vanished, replaced by a twitching vein at the temple. “What are you talking about, man? Speak plainly! What anomaly?”
“The chromosomal data indicates a severe, unmistakable genetic mismatch,” Dr. Aris stated flatly, crossing his arms over his white lab coat. “While the child shares maternal DNA markers with Miss Allison Vance, the paternal genetic markers coded into this fetus do not match yours, Mr. Coleman. In fact, standard forensic genetic screening confirms with a 99.998 percent certainty that you, Mr. David Coleman, share zero biological lineage with this child.”
The words hung in the air like a physical blow.
Arthur Coleman staggered backward, his hand catching the edge of the medical supply cart to keep from falling. Eleanor let out a sharp, choked gasp, her hands flying to her mouth as her eyes bugged out in sheer horror.
“That’s… that’s an impossible lie!” David roared, his face turning a furious, blotchy crimson as he lunged forward, grabbing the edge of Dr. Aris’s desk. “Do you know who I am?! I am a principal stakeholder in this hospital’s endowment fund! You are talking to a Coleman! My mistress—my fiancée—would never betray me! Sue this hospital! Fire this incompetent hack right now!”
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Allison burst into a hysterical, sobbing wail, burying her face in her hands as her entire elaborate web of deception disintegrated in less than sixty seconds. “David, please! Let me explain! It was before we got serious! He forced me—he threatened to cut off my allowance—”
“Shut up! Shut your lying mouth!” David shrieked, whirling around to stare at the woman he had abandoned a multimillion-dollar marriage for. The seven members of the Coleman family stood paralyzed in the small examination room, realizing with stomach-churning horror that they had traded a loyal, silent billionaire heiress for a penniless fraud carrying another man’s child.
