«Mike, it’s Kevin. I need a DNA test done as quickly and accurately as possible, and I need it done with complete discretion.»

«Kevin, it’s 11 o’clock at night. What’s this about?»

Kevin walked to his window, looking out over the city where Nancy and Dorothy were probably sleeping in their small apartment. «Mike, I think I might be a father.»

The next morning, Kevin arrived at Nancy and Dorothy’s apartment with coffee, fresh pastries from a French bakery, and a car seat properly installed in his BMW. Nancy answered the door wearing the same clothes from the day before, but she had attempted to style her thinning hair and apply a small amount of makeup.

«Kevin, you didn’t have to bring breakfast,» Nancy protested, but gratefully accepted the coffee.

«Mommy, look!» Dorothy exclaimed, running to the window. «There’s a really fancy car outside. It’s so shiny.»

«That’s Mr. Kevin’s car, sweetheart,» Nancy explained. «He’s going to drive us to the hospital today.»

Dorothy’s eyes widened with excitement. «Really? Can I sit in the front seat?»

«You’ll sit in the back seat in a special car seat, just like a race car driver,» Kevin said, kneeling down to Dorothy’s level. «Safety first, right?»

As they drove to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Kevin found himself studying Dorothy in the rearview mirror. She chattered continuously, pointing out interesting buildings, asking questions about how cars worked, and wondering aloud whether the hospital would have good food in their cafeteria.

«Dorothy, you’re quite the conversationalist,» Kevin observed.

«What’s a conversationist?» Dorothy asked, struggling with the big word.

«It means you’re really good at talking and asking interesting questions,» Kevin explained, smiling at her in the mirror.

«Mommy says I ask too many questions sometimes,» Dorothy replied thoughtfully. «But she says curious people learn more about the world.»

Nancy reached back from the front seat to squeeze Dorothy’s hand. «That’s right, sweetheart. Questions are how we discover new things.»

The Seattle Cancer Care Alliance was a modern facility nestled in the heart of the city’s medical district. As they walked through the gleaming lobby, Dorothy stayed close to her side, her usual chatter subdued by the clinical atmosphere. Kevin found himself fighting an unexpected surge of protectiveness as he watched Nancy navigate the check-in process with practiced efficiency.

«Mrs. Cromwell,» the receptionist said warmly, «Doctor Martinez is ready to see you. And I understand your treatment has been approved for an immediate start?»

Nancy looked at Kevin with tears in her eyes. «Yes, that’s correct.»

While Nancy was whisked away for consultations and preparation, Kevin and Dorothy found themselves in the children’s waiting area, a cheerfully decorated space with books, toys, and a small play kitchen.

«Are you scared for mommy?» Dorothy asked suddenly, settling beside Kevin on a child-sized couch that barely accommodated his tall frame.

The directness of her question caught him off guard. «Yes, I am a little scared. Are you?»

Dorothy nodded solemnly. «I’m scared all the time. But Mommy says being brave doesn’t mean you’re not scared. It means you do the right thing even when you’re scared.»

Kevin felt something shift in his chest as he looked at this remarkable little girl. «Your mommy is very wise and very brave.»

«Are you going to be my daddy?» Dorothy asked, her blue eyes searching his face with heartbreaking hope.

Kevin chose his words carefully. «Dorothy, I hope very much that I am your daddy. We need to do a special test to make sure, but regardless of what that test says, I promise you that I will always be here to help take care of you and your mommy.»

Dorothy considered this for a moment, then reached over and took his hand in both of her small ones. «I think you are my daddy. You have the same hands as me, see?» She placed her tiny palm against his much larger one, and Kevin was amazed to see that she was right. They had the same long fingers, the same shape to their nails.

Three hours later, Nancy emerged from the treatment area looking exhausted but hopeful. The experimental chemotherapy would be administered over several months, with treatments three times per week. The doctors were cautiously optimistic about her response to the new protocol.

«How do you feel, Mommy?» Dorothy asked, wrapping her arms around Nancy’s waist.

«Tired but hopeful,» Nancy replied honestly. «Dr. Martinez thinks this new medicine might help me get better.»

As they prepared to leave the hospital, Kevin’s phone buzzed with a text from Dr. Harrison. The DNA test could be conducted that afternoon, with results available within 48 hours. Kevin showed the message to Nancy, who nodded her agreement.

The DNA test itself was simple and quick, just a cheek swab for both Kevin and Dorothy. Dorothy found the whole process fascinating, asking the lab technician dozens of questions about how they could tell if people were related just from «spit.»

«It’s like a puzzle, sweetheart,» the technician explained patiently. «Everyone has special markers that they get from their mommy and daddy. If Mr. Kevin is your daddy, you’ll have some of the same markers he has.»

«Like a secret code?» Dorothy asked excitedly.

«Exactly like a secret code.»

That evening, Kevin insisted on taking Nancy and Dorothy to dinner at a family restaurant near their apartment. As they sat in a booth sharing pizza and talking about Dorothy’s school and her favorite subjects, Kevin felt a sense of rightness that he hadn’t experienced in years.

«Tell me about your life, Dorothy,» Kevin said as she carefully picked pepperoni off her pizza slice. «What do you like to do for fun?»

«I like to read,» Dorothy said seriously, «and I like to draw pictures. And I help Mommy with cooking and cleaning because she gets tired easily.»

Nancy’s expression grew sad as she listened to her daughter describe the adult responsibilities she had taken on. «Dorothy is my little helper,» she said softly. «Sometimes I think she takes care of me more than I take care of her.»

«Mommy, that’s what families do,» Dorothy said matter-of-factly. «They take care of each other.»

Kevin found himself profoundly moved by this seven-year-old’s wisdom and maturity. Whatever the DNA test revealed, Dorothy was an extraordinary child who deserved every opportunity life could offer. After dinner, Kevin walked them back to their apartment, carrying a sleeping Dorothy in his arms. She had dozed off in the restaurant, exhausted by the emotional weight of the day.

As he carried her up the narrow stairs, Kevin marveled at how perfectly she fit in his arms, how natural it felt to hold her.

«She likes you,» Nancy observed quietly as Kevin gently placed Dorothy on her small bed, not bothering to change her clothes.

«I like her too,» Kevin replied, smoothing Dorothy’s blonde hair away from her face. «She’s remarkable, Nancy. You’ve done an incredible job raising her.»

Nancy smiled sadly. «I’ve done my best, but it hasn’t been easy. There are so many things I wish I could give her. Music lessons, dance classes, trips to the zoo… just normal childhood experiences that cost money I don’t have.»

«Those things can be arranged,» Kevin said softly. «All of them.»

As they stood in Dorothy’s doorway watching her sleep, Nancy finally asked the question that had been weighing on both their minds. «Kevin, what happens if the DNA test is negative? What happens if Dorothy isn’t your biological daughter?»

Kevin was quiet for a long moment, considering his answer. «Nancy, in the past 48 hours, that little girl has changed something fundamental inside me. Biology is just science. What matters is love, commitment, and choice. If Dorothy isn’t my biological daughter, I’d like to discuss adopting her anyway.»

Nancy stared at him in shock. «Kevin, you can’t be serious.»

«I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life,» Kevin replied. «I spent eight years convinced I could never be a father, never have a family. Now I discover I might have had both all along. I’m not going to waste any more time.»

The next day brought unexpected complications. Kevin arrived at his office to find Susan waiting in his conference room with a stack of legal documents and a grim expression. «Kevin, we need to talk,» Susan said without preamble. «I’ve been doing some research into your Nancy Cromwell, and you need to see what I’ve found.»

Kevin reluctantly took the chair across from her, noting the triumphant gleam in Susan’s eyes. «What kind of research?»

«The kind that reveals the truth about the woman you’re so eager to rescue,» Susan said, sliding a folder across the table. «Nancy Cromwell has quite an interesting history. Did you know she was married two years ago to a man named Robert Fitzpatrick?»

Kevin’s blood ran cold as he opened the folder to find copies of a marriage certificate and several photographs showing Nancy in a wedding dress, kissing a tall man with dark hair.

«The marriage was annulled after six months,» Susan continued, her voice dripping with false sympathy. «Apparently, Mr. Fitzpatrick discovered that Nancy had been less than honest about several aspects of her past, including the existence of a child.»

Kevin stared at the documents, feeling the familiar sensation of the ground shifting beneath his feet. «When was this marriage?»

«Two years ago, which means Nancy was playing house with another man while raising the child she claims is yours. Kevin, doesn’t this pattern seem familiar? Doesn’t it remind you of what happened eight years ago?»

Before Kevin could respond, his assistant knocked on the conference room door. «Mr. Barton, Dr. Harrison is on line one. He says it’s urgent regarding the test results you’ve been waiting for.»

Kevin’s heart pounded as he reached for the phone. It had only been 36 hours since the DNA test was administered, but Dr. Harrison had promised to rush the results. «Mike, what do you have for me?»

«Kevin, I have the preliminary results. I wanted to call you immediately because…» Dr. Harrison paused, and Kevin could hear papers shuffling in the background. «Kevin, the test results are negative. There’s no biological relationship between you and the child.»

The words hit Kevin like a physical blow. He felt Susan’s hand on his shoulder, her voice offering comfort that sounded hollow in his ears. «Kevin, I’m so sorry. I know this must be devastating.»

Kevin ended the call in a daze, staring at the marriage certificate and photos spread across the conference table. Nancy had lied to him again. Just like eight years ago, she had created an elaborate deception, this time using an innocent child as a pawn.

«Kevin, I know this hurts,» Susan said gently, «but now you can see the truth. Nancy Cromwell is a manipulator who preys on successful men. First you, then this Fitzpatrick fellow, now you again. She’s using her dying daughter to extract money from you.»

«Dorothy isn’t dying,» Kevin said quietly. «Nancy is.»

«Details,» Susan waved dismissively. «The point is, you’ve been manipulated, again. But it’s not too late to extricate yourself from this situation cleanly.»

Kevin stood up abruptly, his chair rolling backward into the wall. «I need to see Nancy. I need to hear her explanation.»

«Kevin, what explanation could possibly justify this level of deception?» Susan called after him as he headed for the door. «You owe her nothing.»

But Kevin was already gone, his mind reeling with questions and anger, and a heartbreak that felt all too familiar. As he drove toward Capitol Hill, he tried to reconcile the Nancy he had been falling in love with all over again with the woman who could orchestrate such an elaborate lie.

When he arrived at Nancy’s apartment, he found her in the middle of packing boxes, her movements slow and deliberate due to the effects of her chemotherapy treatment. «Kevin,» she said, looking up with surprise and pleasure. «I wasn’t expecting you until this evening. How did the DNA results…?» She stopped mid-sentence when she saw his expression.

«We need to talk,» Kevin said curtly. «About Robert Fitzpatrick. About your marriage two years ago. About the lies you’ve been telling me.»

Nancy’s face went white, and she sank into a chair as if her legs could no longer support her. «Kevin, I can explain.»

«Can you?» Kevin interrupted, his voice cold with controlled anger. «Can you explain why you failed to mention that you were married two years ago? Can you explain why that marriage was annulled when your husband discovered you had been lying to him? And can you explain why the DNA test came back negative?»

Nancy’s eyes filled with tears, but she met his gaze steadily. «The DNA test was negative?»

«Don’t act surprised, Nancy. Did you really think I wouldn’t find out the truth eventually?»

«Kevin, please let me explain everything. Yes, I was married to Robert. Yes, it ended badly. But not for the reasons you think. And the DNA test? There must be some mistake.»

«The mistake was trusting you again,» Kevin said, his heart breaking even as he spoke the words. «Eight years ago, I thought you had betrayed me. I spent all this time wondering if I had been wrong, if I had thrown away the best thing in my life. Now I discover that my instincts were right all along.»

«Kevin, please,» Nancy pleaded, struggling to stand. «I know how this looks, but you have to believe me. Dorothy is your daughter. I don’t know why the test came back negative, but there has to be an explanation.»

«Where is Dorothy?» Kevin asked, suddenly realizing the apartment was too quiet.

«She’s at school. Kevin, please don’t leave things like this. Please let me explain about everything.»

Kevin looked at Nancy, seeing past her illness to the woman who had apparently manipulated him twice. «I’ve heard enough explanations, Nancy. I’ve made arrangements for your treatment to continue through the end of the month. After that, you’re on your own.»

As Kevin turned to leave, Nancy called after him with desperation in her voice. «Kevin, I love you. I’ve never stopped loving you. Dorothy is your daughter, no matter what any test says. Please don’t abandon us again.»

But Kevin was already gone, leaving Nancy alone with her boxes and her fears and the growing certainty that someone was working very hard to destroy any chance of happiness she might have found.

That evening, Kevin sat in his penthouse with Susan, staring out at the city lights and trying to process the day’s revelations. Susan had opened a bottle of expensive wine and was doing her best to comfort him, but Kevin felt numb and empty.

«I should have listened to you,» Kevin said finally. «I should have known better than to trust her again.»

«Kevin, you’re a good man,» Susan replied, settling beside him on the leather sofa. «Your instinct is to help people, to see the best in them. Nancy took advantage of that kindness.»

Kevin’s phone buzzed with a text message. Against his better judgment, he looked at it, expecting another plea from Nancy. Instead, it was from Dorothy, typed in the careful phonetic spelling of a seven-year-old.

«Mr Kevin, why are you mad at Mommy? She is crying and wont tell me why. Did I do something wrong? I promise I will be better. Please dont be mad at us.»

Kevin stared at the message, feeling his heart shatter completely. Whatever Nancy had done, Dorothy was an innocent victim, caught in the crossfire of adult deceptions and broken trust.

«Who’s texting you?» Susan asked, noticing his expression.

«Dorothy. She’s asking why I’m angry with her mother.»

Susan’s expression hardened slightly. «Kevin, you can’t let a child’s emotions manipulate you. Nancy is probably coaching her on what to say.»

But Kevin couldn’t shake the image of Dorothy sitting in her small apartment, confused and frightened by the sudden absence of the man she’d begun to think of as her father. He typed back carefully. «Dorothy, you didn’t do anything wrong. You are perfect just the way you are. Sometimes grown-ups have disagreements that have nothing to do with little girls. Take care of your mommy.»