“How do you know? How do you know the DNA test wasn’t tampered with? How do you know those children are actually yours?”
The table goes silent.
Luca stands slowly. “What did you just say?”
Maxim doesn’t back down. “I said, how do you know the test is accurate? Labs make mistakes. Results can be altered. Maybe Anna found a way to ensure the test came back positive.”
“The test was handled by Pavel. Through a facility I’ve used for years. There was no tampering.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“Because it seems very convenient that?—”
“Maxim.” Luca’s voice drops to something dangerous. “You’re questioning the legitimacy of my children. Do you understand what you’re doing?”
“I’m asking reasonable questions.”
“No. You’re insulting Anna. You’re suggesting my children are fraudulent. You’re implying I’m too stupid to verify paternity properly. That’s not asking questions. That’s disrespect.”
Maxim’s jaw tightens. “I’m protecting your interests.”
“My interests don’t need your protection. What they need is your acceptance. Mila and Alexei are your siblings. Half-siblings, if you want to be technical. They live in this house. They’re part of this family. Whether you like it or not.”
“I never agreed to this.”
“You don’t have to agree. You just have to comply.” Luca leans forward. “Let me be very clear. If you continue to disrespect Anna or question the twins’ legitimacy, you’ll lose your place in this family. Is that what you want?”
“You’d disown me over them?”
“I’d disown you for insubordination. For publicly questioning my judgment. For treating your stepmother with contempt at my own dinner table. Yes.”
The twins are both crying now. Mila has her face buried in my side. Alexei is trying not to, but tears are streaming down his face.
I stand. “I’m taking them upstairs.”
“Anna—” Luca starts.
“No. This was a mistake. They don’t need to be here for this.” I take both twins by the hand and walk out of the dining room. Neither of them looks back.
Behind us, I hear Luca’s voice. Cold. Final. “Get out of my house.”
“Father—”
“Get out. Don’t come back until you’re ready to apologize to Anna and accept that those children are your siblings.”
Footsteps. A door slamming.
I get the twins upstairs and settled, though they won’t stop crying. I sit on the floor outside their rooms and put my head against the wall.
This is my life now.
A husband who threatens my friends.
A stepson who hates me.
And children who don’t trust me.
