Chapter 8 - MY MISTAKEA reporter called me.
I should have hung up.
Instead, I listened while she described Eleanor’s filing.
Then she said:
“Mrs. Bennett, sources say there may have been fertility treatment involved in your pregnancy.”
My entire body went cold.
“Who told you that?”
“Can you confirm?”
“No.”
“Is David the biological father?”
I said:
“David is this child’s father.”
True.
But the reporter heard the gap.
“Biologically?”
I hung up.
Too late.
The article ran:
BENNETT WIDOW REFUSES TO CONFIRM BIOLOGICAL PATERNITY AS ESTATE FIGHT ESCALATES
I had turned a private legal distinction into public speculation without intending to.
Employees saw it.
Clients.
Neighbors.
Parents at the cathedral.
Most importantly, one day my child could see it.
Caroline was furious.
“Do not answer reporters with technically true distinctions when you’re emotionally loaded.”
“I didn’t lie.”
“I didn’t say you lied.”
“I hate that headline.”
“Then stop feeding headlines.”
Fair.
I issued no rebuttal.
May you like
That felt unbearable.
Necessary.
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