My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 1024

Mrs. Austin jabbed her husband in the chest, her voice tight with frustration. “You’re being played. Don’t believe a word they say. I don’t even need a test to know Emily Blair could never be our daughter. Don’t let them fool you.”

Mr. Austin caught her hand, frowning. “You’re just guessing right now. If we actually do the test, I’ll make sure Emily has no way to mess with the results. The answer will be real, no tricks.”

She snatched her hand back, eyes fierce. “That’s what you think. You have no idea what Emily is capable of. Just look at what Isabella went through. Emily’s tricks are disgusting. I won’t let her get her way. There’s no chance I’m agreeing to any DNA test with her.”

Mr. Austin let out a heavy sigh, feeling helpless. “You don’t have to go this far.”

Mrs. Austin’s voice turned cold. “Yes, I do. Back when Isabella was still here, Emily bullied her without a second thought. Do you really think Isabella could rest in peace if she saw us treating Emily like our own? It would break her heart. I can’t do that to her memory. I’m on Isabella’s side, always. Emily and I will never be on the same side. There’s no making up, not in this lifetime. And don’t kid yourself, people can tamper with the results. Emily would stoop to anything to get what she wants.”

Mr. Austin’s face softened. “I don’t want to hurt Isabella either, but this is a different issue. It’s just a DNA test. The truth will give us some peace. That doesn’t mean I’m ready to accept Emily as my daughter. You’re making this bigger than it is. If you’re really worried, I’ll have labs in different countries do the test. There’s no way Emily could pull strings everywhere.”

Mrs. Austin just shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her. “You think you’re only giving Emily a little, but once you start, you’ll keep giving in. Today you say she isn’t your daughter, but soon you’ll see her as your own. You’ll let her into our family and forget about everything she’s done.”

She turned away from him completely. “This isn’t a threat. It’s my boundary. I won’t let my husband stand with the person who destroyed our daughter. If you insist on doing this, it’s betrayal. I can’t stay married to you if you go through with it. I mean it.”

Mr. Austin pressed his hand to his forehead, lips pressed tight, and let out a long, tired sigh.

Mrs. Austin’s voice was steady and final. “I’m asking you one last time. Are you still going to do the DNA test with Emily Blair?”