Chapter 4 - Derek Claimed My Baby Wasn’t His, So I Took the DNA Test Public and Watched His Entire Story CollapseThe DNA test had already been offered.
I had refused.
Not because I doubted the truth.
Because I hated that Derek was forcing me to prove something that should never have been questioned.
But now, the rumors were everywhere.
I agreed.
The test was performed independently.
The results were released through my attorney.
Derek was the father.
The public narrative changed immediately.
Now his claims looked deliberate.
He had attacked me.
He had tried to discredit me.
He had lied about the baby.
The prosecutor used the evidence.
His custody request was denied.
The restraining order was expanded.
Derek became desperate.
He tried everything.
Money.
Media.
Friends.
Threats.
Nothing worked.
Then he attacked Vincent's reputation.
He accused him of running illegal operations.
That accusation was partially true.
Vincent had a criminal history.
He didn't deny it.
He told investigators the truth.
“I have done things I regret.”
I asked him one night:
“Does that scare you?”
“Yes.”
He looked at me.
“Not because I'm afraid of prison.”
“Then what?”
“Because I don't want you to ever feel unsafe around me.”
I stared.
“I don't.”
He smiled.
“Good.”
The case against Derek widened.
His previous victims testified.
He had financial fraud connected to his business.
He had used threats.
He had manipulated officials.
The police department opened an internal investigation into the officers who had protected him.
One officer cooperated.
He revealed that Derek had paid him.
That changed everything.
Suddenly, Derek wasn't just an abusive husband.
He was facing serious criminal charges.
He tried to flee.
Vincent knew before anyone else.
We were at dinner when he received the message.
“Derek is leaving.”
I stood.
“Where?”
“Airport.”
“Can they stop him?”
“Not without paperwork.”
He looked at me.
“Do you want me to stop him?”
I hesitated.
Then said:
“Yes.”
Vincent made one call.
Derek was arrested before boarding.
No violence.
No chaos.
Just handcuffs.
He looked at me across the airport.
“Clara.”
I didn't respond.
“You'll regret this.”
I finally spoke.
“No.”
He stared.
“You think Vincent will love you?”
I laughed.
“This isn't about him.”
“It always becomes about another man.”
“No.”
I stepped closer.
“This is about me.”
He looked confused.
“I don't belong to you.”
Then I walked away.
That night, Vincent and I stood on the balcony.
“You were brave.”
“No.”
He looked at me.
“I was done being afraid.”
He smiled.
“That counts.”
I turned to him.
“Do you know something?”
“What?”
“You never once told me I had to stay.”
“I never will.”
“Why?”
“Because if you stay, I want it to be because you choose me.”
I swallowed.
“What if I do?”
He looked at me.
“Then I'll be honored.”
I kissed him.
The kiss was soft.
Short.
But it changed everything.
We pulled apart.
He smiled.
“I've wanted to do that for months.”
I laughed.
“So have I.”
That was the beginning of us.
Not the rescue.
Not the protection.
The choice.
But the night wasn't finished.
My attorney called.
“They found another account.”
“What account?”
Derek's private account.
Inside it was evidence of payments.
But there was something else.
A transfer to a man named Marcus Bell.
Vincent went still.
“Who is that?”
He looked at me.
“Someone from my past.”
“An enemy?”
“Yes.”
“Why would Derek pay him?”
Vincent stared at the document.
“Because Marcus knows something about me.”
“What?”
“That I once helped his family.”
I frowned.
“Then why would he attack you?”
Vincent looked at me.
“Because he believes I betrayed him.”
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The past wasn't finished.
And now it was coming for both of us.
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