Chapter 5 The Truth That Begins to Surface

Silence on the line. Then, a breath-shallow and tight, as if something long buried had just been kicked open.

"Bring them," Martha said at last. Her voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. "But I have one condition."

Daniel lowered the phone slowly. He looked at Steffy, then at Nadine. "She's willing to meet you. "

"Really? She's really willing?" Her voice couldn't hide the mix of relief and nervousness rising within her.

"But she wants to see the DNA test result first."

Steffy fell silent for a moment, trying to suppress the rising panic in her chest.

"The problem is..." she said finally, her voice low. "The test results aren't with me. They're with... Evelyn."

That night, after ending the call with Daniel, Steffy leaned back in her chair. Her heart was beating faster than usual. She knew that tomorrow's conversation with Martha could change her entire life. But one major obstacle still loomed over her: the DNA test result.

With trembling hands, she picked up her phone and dialed her mother's number. The line connected, and soon Nadine's gentle voice came through.

"Steffy? What is it, sweetheart? You sound anxious."

Steffy swallowed hard. "Mom... I need your help. Please talk to Evelyn. I need that DNA test result. Daniel won't take us to meet his mother without it."

There was silence on the other end. Nadine took a deep breath. "Evelyn..." her voice softened, sounding weary. "You know things between you two are tense right now. Are you sure this is the right time?"

"I don't have a choice, Mom. All the truth about me is in Evelyn's hands. If I can't bring that proof, Mrs. Martha might not speak honestly."

Nadine lowered her gaze, though Steffy couldn't see it. Deep down, she knew her daughter was right. Like it or not, she had to face Evelyn tonight.

"Alright," she said at last. "I'll try. You should rest. Let me handle talking to your sister."

At the Willson residence-a grand house filled with lingering shadows of secrets-Nadine slowly made her way upstairs. The soft click of her heels against the marble floor echoed loudly in her ears.

She stopped in front of Evelyn's bedroom door. Faint music could be heard from inside. Taking a deep breath, she knocked.

Knock... knock...

No response. She knocked again, a little louder.

"Evelyn? It's Mom."

A few seconds later, the door opened. Evelyn stood in the doorway, her face drawn, her eyes still swollen from her earlier argument with David.

"What is it, Mom? This late at night..." her voice was heavy, almost flat.

Nadine gave a faint smile, trying to remain warm. "I want to talk. May I come in?"

Evelyn studied her for a moment, as if weighing something, then stepped aside. Nadine entered, and the door closed behind her.

The room was messy. Clothes were scattered over a chair, empty water bottles littered the vanity. Evelyn sat back down on the edge of her bed, absentmindedly playing with her loose hair.

"Just say it, Mom. I know this is about Steffy, isn't it?" she asked with a cynical tone.

Nadine paused briefly, then sat on a nearby chair. "Yes. Steffy... she needs the DNA test result. Please give it to her, honey. It's important."

Evelyn scoffed, narrowing her eyes. "Of course. Everything is always about Steffy. About how important she is. And me? No one cares. Not even you-you're here now just to ask me for something for her."

"Evelyn..." Nadine tried to reach for her hand, but Evelyn pulled away quickly. "I care about you. I care about both of you."

"Care?" Evelyn shot her a bitter look. "If you really cared, you'd think about me too. My life is a mess, Mom. I've sacrificed everything for David, and what did I get? Betrayal. Rejection. I only want one thing now: I want Dad to approve my marriage to David. That's all."

Nadine fell silent. Her daughter's words felt like a knife piercing her chest. She knew her husband would never approve of Evelyn and David-especially knowing their relationship began with betrayal.

"Evelyn..." Nadine's voice trembled. "I understand how you feel. I know you're hurting. But marrying David isn't the solution. That relationship is built on pain, not healthy love."

"Don't act like you know everything, Mom!" Evelyn snapped, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I love him! I need him! If you want me to hand over that DNA result, then prove you're on my side. Talk to Dad. Persuade him. I want him to accept David-no matter what."

Nadine froze. There was a clear bargain in her daughter's gaze. Evelyn would not hand over the result easily.

"Evelyn..." Nadine tried to stay calm. "I can't promise something impossible. Your father... he will never accept David. Not because he hates you, but because you took him from your own sister."

Evelyn let out a hollow laugh, staring up at the ceiling. "It's always like this, isn't it? Everyone thinks they know what's best for me. But no one knows what it feels like to be me."

Nadine felt her chest tighten. She stood, walked slowly toward her daughter, and pulled her into an embrace despite Evelyn's initial resistance.

"My child... I will do whatever I can. I can talk to your father, try to soften his heart. But don't let your future be destroyed by resentment or desperation. You deserve happiness, Evelyn. But not like this."

The embrace finally broke something inside Evelyn. She began to sob. For a moment, the wall of hatred she had built crumbled. But once her tears subsided, she gently pushed her mother away.

"Then prove it, Mom," she said, her tone calmer but still demanding. "Prove you're on my side. I'll think about giving you the DNA result... after I see Dad truly change."

Nadine looked at her for a long moment. She knew this was no easy promise. But time was running out-tomorrow, Steffy needed that proof.

"I'll try," she finally said, though deep down she knew this gamble could bring another storm.

Night grew deeper. Nadine returned to her room, her mind restless. Her husband was already asleep, but she couldn't close her eyes. Evelyn's words echoed in her head.

Could she really persuade her husband? Could she help both her daughters without choosing one over the other?

Tears slipped down her cheeks. Nadine knew that tomorrow would not only be important for Steffy-but could also determine Evelyn's fate, and the future of their entire family.

Meanwhile, in another room, Evelyn sat on the edge of her bed, staring at a brown envelope hidden in the bottom drawer of her vanity. Inside, the DNA test result was still safely kept.

Her hand trembled as she touched the envelope. Deep down, she knew the paper inside could destroy everything-or become the strongest bargaining tool she had ever possessed.

Her eyes gleamed. "If all of you want the truth... then I'll make sure I get my share," she murmured softly, her voice trembling between tears and determination.