Lyra sat on the edge of the exam table, cold paper crinkling beneath her. Her hands were clammy, her legs bouncing nervously. She shouldn't have agreed to this. But here she was.
Across the room, Zane stood by the window, arms crossed, eyes locked on the skyline like it held answers. His presence filled the room, even in silence.
Noah sat on a small stool between them, swinging his little legs as he played with a toy car Zane had bought him. He had no idea what today meant.
Lyra reached for her son and kissed his head, whispering, "You're doing so well, sweetheart."
Zane turned at that. His expression softened briefly, just watching the two of them.
A nurse entered, clipboard in hand. "Ready for the cheek swabs?"
Lyra nodded. Noah was quiet through it all, only flinching when the cotton swab touched the inside of his mouth. He looked to his mother, then to Zane, confused but brave.
When it was over, the nurse smiled. "You'll get the results within seventy-two hours. We'll contact both of you."
Lyra helped Noah off the table, then faced Zane.
"We're done here," she said quickly, grabbing her purse.
Zane followed them to the hallway. "Thank you. For agreeing."
"I did it for Noah, not for you," she replied without looking back.
Before she could walk away, he asked, "What if the result says he's mine?"
Lyra turned around, her voice low. "Then you better be ready for what comes with that truth."
She walked away with Noah, leaving Zane standing alone, the weight of her words hitting harder than he expected.
He thought he wanted the truth.
Now he wasn't so sure he was ready for it.