Chapter 2: The Folder on the Table
Douglas didn't rush.
That was the thing about him.
He never rushed.
He crossed the waiting room like he had all the time in the world, rain-damp coat, sealed folder, eyes that had already read everything inside it twice.
Brandon straightened.
His smile came back, smaller this time.
"Who's this?"
"My attorney," I said.
Something shifted in Brandon's face.
Not fear.
Not yet.
Just the first crack in the performance.
Douglas stopped beside me and looked at Lauren.
"Ms.
Barrett," he said.
"I've been trying to reach you for six weeks."
Lauren's voice came out barely above a whisper.
"I didn't — I wasn't —"
"You weren't what?" Brandon cut in.
"What is he talking about?"
She wouldn't answer him.
She was looking at the folder.
Douglas set it on the waiting room table without opening it.
"The paternity filing has been processed," he said quietly.
"The results were certified three days ago."
The room went very still.
Brandon laughed.
Short.
Dismissive.
"I don't know what she told you, but that boy is mine."
Douglas looked at him for a long moment.
"That's not what the results say."
Lauren made a sound I had never heard from her before.
Small.
Broken.
Like something had finally given way after months of holding.
Brandon turned to her slowly.
"Lauren."
She still wouldn't look at him.
"Lauren.
What did you do?"
---
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What Brandon found inside that folder destroyed everything he thought he'd won.
Click the link below to read the full story — the truth is worse than anyone in that room expected.
