Bride Behind The Mask

Ablett felt his heart hammering in his throat, every fiber of his being quivered with unease. “I... | don’t know what’s going on either...”

Beside him, Penelope was equally perplexed. She knew her son had never accepted Yunal and had been digging into the matter for some time.

But everything seemed fine until today, when, out of the blue, he announced he wanted a paternity test redo. Had Robert stumbled upon something?

Penelope gently prodded, following Ablett’s lead, “Robert, their skepticism is understandable. This sudden move of yours has us all baffled. Retaking a DNA test is no big deal, but why don’t you share your reasons? You've got to convince them, right?”

Her words soothed Robert's agitated state. Without further ado, he pulled out two photographs from his wallet and handed them to Penelope.Owned by NôvelDrama.Org.

“These two pictures, one is of Laverne, that is, Marguerite’s grandmother, holding her. The other one is Nina’s baby photo. Mom, take a good look and tell me what similarities you see.”

Ablett choked up for a moment. Laverne, that old witch, had taken a picture with Marguerite? But what was so strange about that? Marguerite and Yuna looked exactly alike anyway!

Ablett, not quite reassured, leaned in to scrutinize the photos, but still saw nothing out of the ordinary. However, as a mother, Penelope noticed something immediately!

Her hands shook as she held the photos, and turning to Marguerite, her shock was tinged with a mix of joy and relief, “This blanket, | made it with my own hands! Marguerite, have you been keeping this blanket with you since you were little?”

Marguerite, confused, stepped forward and took a while to remember something about the blanket, “Penelope, | recall grandma mentioning that | loved sleeping with a blanket as a child. She said that when | grew up, she’d refurbish it for my dowry.

But once | got older, grandma stored it away, and I’m not sure if this is the same one.”

Penelope was on the verge of tears, but Zoe reacted quickly, rushing to explain, “It's a misunderstanding! You've all got it wrong! The blanket isn’t Marguerite’s, it’s Yuna’s!”

Miley, fired up, stood defiantly, “You're lying! My parents told me that Marguerite has been using this blanket since she was a baby!”

Zoe, well-prepared, continued her explanation, Marguerite did use this blanket, that’s true.

But the fact is, when Ablett brought Yuna home, the blanket she came with was too thin, so | swapped it. The pale yellow one, that went to Marguerite!”

Ablett caught on, feigning sudden realization and immediately said, “Mr. Winston, Mr. Fitzgerald, is this blanket the reason for the paternity test redo? I’m puzzled! A blanket doesn’t prove anything! Whomever uses it, it doesn’t change its value, nor does it hold any special significance! Are you really going to crush Yuna’s dignity underfoot over such a trivial matter?”

Robert and Frederick exchanged glances.

Yuna’s dignity meant nothing to them. But with Ablett’s explanation, it seemed indeed, relying on a blanket to prove Marguerite’s identity was far from convincing.

Ablett, noticing their reactions, stirred the pot once more.

“Besides, Mr. Fitzgerald, DNA tests are nationally registered. It was your father himself who retrieved the report. You may not trust me, but do you... distrust your own father?”

Hackett, already fuming, lost his composure with Ablett’s goading and barked, “Robert, | think you’re out of your mind! The DNA test is clear as day, showing Yuna is my daughter! I’ve accepted her, what more do you want? This is unnecessary! As her brother, you’re not only hurting your sister’s feelings, but you’re also breaking your mother’s and mine!”

Seeing Robert possibly losing ground, Frederick remained calm throughout.

He locked eyes with Ablett and simply went with the flow, “Apologies, Hackett, this was an oversight on Robert’s and my part, indeed a blanket can’t prove anything.”

His words were conciliatory, but his demeanor remained unyielding, his eyes even twinkled with amusement. Hackett was incensed, “Cut to the chase! Don’t beat around the bush with me!”

Frederick didn’t bother with subterfuge and said, “If you’re so certain Yuna is your daughter, Hackett, what's the harm in one more test?”