The silence in the room was heavy, broken only by the low hum of the air conditioner.

“Emily,” my mother said, her voice trembling slightly now. “Put that away. You are making a fool of yourself in front of your commanding officer.”

“Let her speak, Helen,” my father muttered, though his glare remained fixed on me. “Let her exhaust this childish tantrum so we can finally leave.”

I did not look at them.

My focus was entirely on Andrew, whose skin had taken on a pale, greyish hue under the fluorescent lights.

I opened the blue folder and took out the first document.

It was a certified report from the Texas State Forensic Laboratory, complete with an official notary seal and a gold stamp.

“This is a certified DNA profile analysis,” I said, placing the document directly in front of the General.

“It was conducted by an independent state lab, using reference samples obtained under strict chain of custody.”

Claire let out a sharp, mocking laugh, though it sounded forced.

“A DNA test? What is this, a daytime talk show? Andrew, tell her she’s insane.”