“Daniel,” I said, stepping closer to my husband.

I reached out, but he flinched away from my touch.

“Look at me,” I said. “You know this is a lie.”

Daniel stepped back, shielding the paper.

“The laboratory signature is right here,” he said, pointing to the bottom of the page.

“It says zero percent probability.”

“Let me see it,” I said, holding out my hand.

“No,” Patricia interrupted, stepping between us. “You will not destroy the evidence of your betrayal.”

I looked at my mother-in-law’s cold, triumphant eyes.

She had wanted me out of Daniel’s life since the day we met.

Now, she believed she had the weapon to do it.

Before I could speak, the doorbell rang.

The sound was loud and unexpected in the quiet room.

“Are you expecting someone?” Patricia asked, her brow furrowing.

“No,” I said.

I walked to the door and opened it.

Standing on the porch was Lieutenant General Robert Hayes.

He was in his full service dress, his shoulders broad and his gray hair damp from the rain.

He did not look like a man who visited subordinates’ homes unannounced on a Friday night.

“Captain Morgan,” General Hayes said, his voice carrying the authority of thirty years in command.

“General,” I said, immediately straightening my posture.

“Sir, what are you doing here?”

“I was at the base headquarters when a security alert flag was raised regarding your military personnel file,” General Hayes said.

He stepped inside the foyer, shaking the water from his cap.

His eyes scanned the room, landing instantly on Daniel and Patricia.

“An unauthorized external request was made for your medical records and genetic data earlier this week,” the General said.

Patricia smoothed her skirt, trying to look composed.

“This is a private family matter, officer,” Patricia said, her tone dismissive.

“I am a Lieutenant General in the United States Army, ma’am,” Hayes said, his voice dropping an octave.