Chapter 3 The moment I lifted my eyes , Tommy's face went ghostly pale . His gaze locked on the clear ziplock bag in my hand , a flash of fear flickered in his eyes before he could hide it . " Wh - what are you doing with his hair ? " His voice shook . " A keepsake . " My tone was casual as I slipped the sealed bag into my purse . " Marvin's about to turn three . I want to save little things from every stage -his baby teeth , his hair , his first pair of shoes . When he's older , it'll be a box of keepsakes he could cherish . Don't you think ? " It was the perfect excuse . I almost believed it myself . The red veins in his eyes deepened . I didn't look at him again . Instead , I took Marvin's hand . " Say bye to Daddy . I'm taking you for a haircut . " " Bye - bye , Daddy ! " Marvin chirped , waving his tiny hand Tommy stood frozen . Just before the door closed , I thought I heard him draw in a sharp , shaky breath . I didn't go to the barbershop . I took Marvin straight to the largest DNA testing center in the city . My palms were sweating cold as I held him in the cab . Chapter 3 He was so sweet . He leaned against me , fiddling with his fingers and looking up now and then to flash me a smile . 2010 Vouchers Each time , the resemblance to Jessica crushed the air out of my lungs , like an invisible fist squeezing my heart . The DNA testing center was nearly empty . I filled out the paperwork calmly , paid the fee , and handed over the samples . Marvin's hair wasn't the only one I had brought . Last week , when Jessica visited , a few strands of her long hair had fallen on the couch . On an impulse I couldn't explain , I picked them up and tucked them away . Looking back now , maybe it wasn't a coincidence . Perhaps some part of me had always known . The staff glanced at the samples , then asked in a flat , routine tone , " Which type of kinship test do you need ? " I met her eyes and drew in a long breath : " Mother and child . " She blinked , studying me for a beat . Her gaze flickered with curiosity , but she didn't press . Instead , she ticked the box on the form . " Alright . The results will be ready in seven business days . You can have them mailed , or pick them up in person . " " I'll pick it up myself , " I said . Chapter 4 288 vouchers Chapter 4 When I stepped out of the DNA testing center , the world spun so hard I had to steady myself against the wall . What was I doing ? I was suspecting my husband and my own sister of betraying me in the most despicable way possible . I was suspecting that the child I nearly died to bring into this world wasn't mine at all . And if ... if that turned out to be true , what then ? I couldn't let myself think further Purchase completed The following week , I went through life like a walking corpse . On the surface , Tommy and I carried on as usual . In reality , he became overly attentive . He took over every chore , cooked different meals every day , came home from work on time , and even handed me his phone without hesitation . But the more effort he put in , the colder I felt inside . This wasn't love . It was guilt . Jessica didn't come by again , and she barely even called , Mom phoned once , asking if the two of us had quarreled . I smiled and told her no - we were both just busy . Chapter 4 She sighed . " Jess has always been closest to you since she was little . Don't forget to look after her . " Look after her ? I had protected her like my own eyes for more than 20 years . And this was how she repaid me . On the seventh day , the staff from the DNA testing center called . I locked myself in my room , bracing myself for hours before I finally forced my legs to carry me there . When I arrived , Tommy was waiting at the entrance . He stood rigidly , his face ashen , eyes sunken . When he saw me , he staggered forward and grabbed my arm . " Honey , let's go home . Please ... " His voice was hoarse , laced with desperation . 285 Wouchers " We don't need to see it . We can tear it up and pretend none of this ever happened . We can just go back to the way things were ... " I looked at him and suddenly found it laughable . " What are you so afraid of , Tommy ? " I asked , my voice steady . His body trembled , and his grip slackened . I walked past him without another word . The report was in a thin kraft paper bag - light in appearance , but heavy as if it weighed a thousand pounds . I didn't open it there . Chapter 4 I carried it past him , and he didn't even dare raise a hand to stop me . Back home , I locked myself in the bedroom . Outside , Tommy pounded on the door . He begged , shouted , and eventually broke down into muffled sobs . I shut it all out . 288 Vouchers Sitting with my back against the door , my hands trembled as I slowly tore open the seal strip I stared at the conclusion line for so long it burned into my eyes . " Sample A ( Jessica Walsh ) and Sample B ( Marvin Gardner ) " " Evidence supports a biological mother - son relationship . " " Genetic similarity , 99.9999 % " I didn't know how long I sat there . Daylight faded to darkness . Tommy's pounding died away to silence . I didn't cry or scream . I just kept flipping through the thin report over and over in my hands . At last , I understood why Jessica had sobbed so bitterly outside the delivery room when Marvin was born . She wasn't grieving for me . She was grieving for herself . I felt like a fool , lost in the joy of becoming a mother , not realizing that I was merely a vessel meant to endure all the pain , yet claim none of the credit . Chapter 4 Then , I heard the sound of a key turning in the lock . Tommy stepped in with the spare key . He saw me sitting on the floor and whispered , " Honey ... " A