Chapter 6: The DNA Trap
Chapter 6: The DNA Trap
The courtroom erupted.
Judge Brooks slammed her gavel.
"Order!"
Sabrina stepped forward with controlled confidence.
"My apologies for the interruption, Your Honor."
"But this case is moving far too quickly."
She placed the sealed envelope on the clerk's desk.
"My client requests a court-ordered DNA test before any custody ruling."
Evan stared at her in disbelief.
"You know exactly why you're doing this."
Sabrina met his eyes.
"I'm making sure the truth is actually the truth."
Leah's face drained of color.
She whispered,
"Evan..."
"I never lied about Ellie."
"I swear."
He looked at her for a long moment.
Then quietly asked,
"Did you sleep with anyone else during that time?"
The courtroom held its breath.
Leah answered without hesitation.
"No."
"Never."
Judge Brooks opened the motion.
"This request is legally permissible."
She sighed.
"Mr. Mercer?"
"Do you object?"
Evan slowly stood.
"No."
Everyone turned toward him.
"If a DNA test gives my daughter absolute certainty..."
"I'll take it."
He walked across the courtroom.
Knelt beside Ellie.
She looked up innocently.
"Daddy?"
He smiled.
"No matter what happens over the next few days..."
"I'm still the man who's going to protect you."
Ellie wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I know."
Across the courtroom...
For the first time since filing the motion...
Sabrina felt something unexpected.
Not victory.
Fear.
Because she suddenly realized—
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Even if the DNA test somehow delayed the custody order...
It could no longer erase the bond that had already begun.
