With professional guidance and consent, genetic testing and the clinic's records later established the biological relationship that Julian had questioned.
The result did not create his obligation to love Iris, but it removed the excuse he had used to avoid acknowledging her.
Chloe's hands shook when she read the report, although she had never doubted whose baby she had helped bring into the world.
She told me the pain wasn't about biology, but about realizing Julian had tried to make everyone doubt my integrity.
I remembered the forged letter and understood that this wasn't his first attempt to save himself by sacrificing someone else's reputation.
Our mother called again after hearing about the legal consultation, warning that the family's privacy would be destroyed if we kept digging.
I asked whether she valued privacy more than the two granddaughters who had been denied an honest father.
She said Julian had been young when Sadie was born, and that our father had insisted on protecting his future.
