Chapter 29
**Terms Were Unspoken by Mark Twain p>
**Chapter 29: The Call p>
The Call.
“I insist on receiving the other samples,” Serena declared with an unwavering tone, her resolve as firm as steel. “If your laboratory refuses to provide the transparency I’m seeking, we will have to send them for testing at a different facility p>
The tension in the air was palpable, thickening as the supervisor, Danica, remained obstinate, her expression hardening as she met Serena’s gaze. “We have already discarded them,” she stated, her voice clipped, as if the matter were closed.
Alice, who had been quietly observing, felt a frown form on her face at the supervisor’s dismissive attitude. Before Danica could utter another word, Alice sprang into action, racing toward the laboratory in search of the remaining DNA samples. Her familiarity with the layout of the lab propelled her forward, her mind racing with thoughts of what was at stake.
She headed straight for the evidence refrigerator, her heart pounding in her chest as she searched for the samples that Serena had meticulously labeled. Just as she began her search, Danica was hot on her heels, her voice dripping with irritation. “You can’t do this! I will report you p>
Alice shot back, her voice laced with defiance. “And I will report you to the compliance officer! According to policy, you’re only permitted to discard samples seven days after the results are released!” The anger in her voice was unmistakable, and she could see the frustration boiling within Danica.
Determined, Alice continued her frantic search, but even in the biohazard disposal freezer, she found nothing. The samples had vanished without a trace. With her options dwindling, she made the difficult decision to report Danica to the hospital’s compliance officer. However, Danica retaliated by reporting Alice for unauthorized entry into a restricted area.
In an unexpected twist of fate, both women found themselves barred from returning to work. They were summoned to the compliance office, where a brief review of the incident led to their temporary suspension.
The compliance officer, a stern figure who seemed to carry the weight of the institution on his shoulders, turned to Alice with a measured expression. “I understand your desperation, but entering the laboratory without proper clearance is a serious violation. It endangers the integrity of our entire facility. Rest assured, we will investigate what happened to the sample. If there’s anything left to trace, you’ll be notified immediately p>
Heartbeats later, the tension still hung heavy in the air.
“Why would the supervisor act this way?” Serena asked, her brow furrowing in confusion and frustration.
“Clearly, she tampered with the results,” Alice replied, her voice steady but filled with conviction. “What other explanation could there be for Danica to dispose of the samples so hastily p>
Serena shook her head, her hazel eyes ablaze with a mixture of anger and despair. “I hate this. Why does the world have to make everything so difficult for me? All I want is to uncover the truth p>
She ran her fingers through her light brown hair, her thoughts swirling like a storm. “Or maybe… that was the truth?” she whispered, uncertainty creeping into her voice.
Alice’s mouth fell open in shock. She turned to Serena, her expression a mix of disbelief and empathy. “I’d rather believe the results were tampered with. Doesn’t that explain everything? The way Victor treated you? How your mother never showed you any affection p>
“And don’t forget,” Alice added, her voice softening, “your parents never even celebrated your birthday p>
They were seated in a cozy café just a block away from the hospital, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee swirling around them as they tried to calm their racing hearts. Serena gulped, memories flooding back to her like a tidal wave. Leaning back in her chair, she reflected on her childhood, her thoughts drifting to her parents.
It was all too true. Victor and Roselind had never celebrated her birthday. At best, they would instruct the maids to prepare something special or hand her a few bills. They were perpetually absent on her special day-always preoccupied, always fatigued, always armed with excuses.
Their presence only became more frequent after Nathaniel entered her life, but even then, their visits never lasted beyond an hour.
Serena took a sip of her tea, the warmth momentarily soothing her frayed nerves. She sighed heavily, the weight of her thoughts pressing down on her. “What do we do now? I really don’t want to exhume my mother’s grave p>
Alice hesitated, biting her lip in contemplation. “Have you thought about checking your father’s office? Maybe he still has belongings there that could contain DNA p>
“That seems like a long shot. As far as I know, they discarded most of his things,” Serena replied, but then a flicker of hope ignited within her as she recalled Nathaniel’s words that she could ask him for anything.
Hesitantly, she murmured, “I suppose… I could ask Nathan p>
Alice made a face, concern etched on her features. “Are you sure you can handle that p>
“For the sake of uncovering the truth, I’m willing to put my pride aside,” Serena asserted, determination infusing her voice.
With a deep breath, she pulled out her phone, staring at the screen as if it held the answers to all her questions. After a moment that felt like an eternity, she dialed Nathaniel’s number.
The call was answered on the fifth ring, but to her astonishment, it wasn’t Nathaniel’s voice that greeted her.
“Serena?” A female voice emerged from the other end, casual and almost too relaxed. “It’s Vanessa p>
Her throat constricted, the mere mention of the name sending a jolt of pain through her.
Vanessa yawned, sounding far too comfortable. “Sorry, I’m exhausted. We just celebrated your father’s conviction… in bed. Nathan is still in the shower. Do you need anything p>
Serena’s complexion drained of color.
Her heart shattered into countless pieces, the suddenness of it all leaving her gasping for breath.
“I-1-” she stammered, struggling to
find her voice. Instead of revealing
the true purpose of her call, she forced herself to say, “I just wanted to remind him that wett be getting our divorce certificate next week. don’t want any delays p>
him that wont be q
“Oh, don’t worry, Serena. That’s already his priority. Gavin will call you about the schedule. There’s really no need for you to contact Nathan anymore,” Vanessa replied sweetly, her tone dripping with insincerity. “It just… makes you sound desperate p>
Serena’s hurt morphed into a blazing fury.
How dare Vanessa speak to her like that?
Yet, instead of lashing out, Serena steadied her voice, determined to remain composed. Trust me I’m not desperate. I’m resolute about
getting this done. In fact, why
y don’t
you give me your number too so I
can remind you as well p>
A laugh escaped Vanessa’s lips, light and mocking. “No need for that. Goodbye,
Serena. I’ll let him know you called p>
After the call ended, Serena buried her face in her hands.
Tears welled in her eyes, unbidden and relentless.
She had sworn she wouldn’t cry anymore, but the pain felt insurmountable.