As the test was very important, Ethan went to inform Zoe. Meanwhile, I took Cara and Jack to perform the test first.
Once I was inside the car, I couldn't stop myself from finally weeping. I had taken care of the family for so long, and had suffered so much, but all I got in return was this. Cara consoled me, "Don't cry, Mommy. I trust you."
I looked at how Cara was trying to be strong. I secretly decided that no matter what the result of the test was, I would demand a divorce!
We intentionally chose a major hospital so that there wouldn't be any error with the test or that the result be tampered with. When we were waiting for the result, Zoe had arrived. However, she was visibly anxious.
I couldn't understand. I was the one that should be anxious. What was she anxious about?
Even Ethan couldn't understand. "Why are you so nervous, Zoe? Cara's the one that's doing the test with Jack. I know you're very happy with Sofia as your daughter-in-law, but we can't just let her go when she's cheating."
Cara timidly called out to Zoe, "Grandma…"
But when Zoe heard Cara calling out, she immediately struck Cara across the face. "Who are you calling grandma, you trash? We don't even know whose kid you are. Don't act like we're family!"
Ethan's expression was stony. He had suspected that Jack wasn't his own son, but Zoe took the report that she did in a small hospital all those years ago and said to Ethan, "When you suspected me all those years ago, I've already proven it. Nothing can go wrong when it's written clearly in this report here.
"Meanwhile, she's a doctor. Maybe she knows someone in this hospital and the two of them have planned together and prepared earlier. If we wanted to do a test, we should go to a major hospital somewhere further away!"
When Jack heard what Zoe said, he also felt that it made sense. He then turned to me and said, "Sofia, I think my mom's right. Many of your classmates found work in the hospitals here. It's better so we won't have any doubts later. Not to mention you're the one that has been working out there and they might think that I'm leeching off of you."
I smiled. "That's quite a statement. I mean… Have you earned any money?"
Jack's face instantly darkened when I'd revealed his flaw. Since he was little, everyone said that he was the Baker family's hope. But not only did he get bad results during his studies and didn't get into a good university, he even believed that he was destined to enjoy life as his wife worked to support him.
"I don't care. You better go home and cook. Stop disgracing yourself and our family by staying here. We can go to the next city for the test tomorrow."
My gaze fell on him. While he was worse than everyone else in all ways, he was at least an honest man. I only married him because my parents were urging me to get married. Seemed like I had made a mistake.
I didn't care that Jack and his family were screaming at me as I took Cara back to my parents' home. My parents weren't supportive of my decision and tried to persuade me instead. "It's normal for husbands and wives to have a little fight. You have to solve the problem, divorcing isn't a solution."
I refused to listen. "He's the cause of my problem. If we get a divorce, the problem will go away too."
When my parents saw how determined I was, they were furious. When it was two in the morning, they dragged us up and threw us out of their home when it was the coldest. They wanted to force me to surrender, but I was too stubborn.
I called the cops and stayed at the police station for a night together with Cara.
Next morning, I was planning to find Jack and tell him everything. Since he didn't believe me, we should get a divorce. But when Jack saw my determination, he wanted to have a paternity test no matter what.
"If you want a divorce, that's your problem. I know that even if we get together again, there's already a crack in our relationship. I'm only asking for one thing. I want the paternity test. I want to know if Cara really is my daughter."
I looked at Jack and then at Cara. I knew that I could get a divorce even if we didn't get a divorce. However, I couldn't tell how it would affect Cara if any rumors came out of that.
When Ethan saw my hesitation, he said in disdain, "Look at how petty you are. She's just a girl and not a son. I won't take her from you."
In the end, I nodded. And as per Zoe's request, all of us went to a major hospital in the next city. The journey would take three to four hours, but Zoe had been offering Cara food enthusiastically all the while.
I felt strange. Normally, Zoe didn't show much affection to Cara at all. Zoe would even ignore Cara when she was having a fever and went to the casino. The high fever almost damaged Cara's brain. But now, Zoe was being so attentive to Cara. I felt extremely uneasy because of this.
When Zoe offered Cara some water the fourth time, I couldn't stop myself anymore. "What are you up to? Why do you keep giving Cara food and water? Is there something wrong with this water?"
I stated my doubts and wanted to take the water. The more she tried to hide it from me, the more I felt something was wrong. When I almost got the bottle of water, Zoe cried out, "Jack, look at your wife! Are you going to let her bully your mom? Have you forgotten about me after you're married?"
Jack was speechless, but he still stopped me. "Stop it, Sofia. Maybe she just wants to take care of Cara. The older generations didn't know how to show their love, so don't mind her too much."
I ignored Jack and grabbed the bottle when Zoe wasn't paying attention. It was just as I had suspected. There was a small needle hole in the bottle cap. I wouldn't be able to see it if I wasn't paying attention.
I had just wanted to question her when Ethan said we had arrived, and we should get out of the car.
When we were waiting for the result of the report, I saw Zoe was making a call mysteriously. After a while, she came by and wanted to take Cara away. "The doctor said that something's wrong with her sample, and they need to retake the sample. Let Cara come with me right now."
I quickly shielded Cara behind me. "Where are you taking her to retake the blood sample? I'll take her there. I'm worried that you don't know what to do. But that's fine. I'll go with you. I believe I should be more careful since you have wanted to sell Cara from the very beginning."
Zoe couldn't convince me. To stop me from being suspicious, Zoe had no choice but to let me follow her. Jack also followed us and watched Cara's blood being drawn.
Suddenly, I heard someone call out to me. When I turned around again, Cara had already disappeared.
"Cara! Cara!"
"Have you seen my daughter? She's a little girl with a small ponytail!"
"Have you seen my daughter?"
I tried to search around, asking everyone I've seen along the way if they had seen Cara. I had a very bad feeling, and I suddenly realized something. I quickly went to find Zoe.
Just as I had suspected, Zoe had disappeared as well. I had a feeling that she was the one behind this.
When I heard my number was called, I went to take the report. There was no accident this time. Cara was Jack's daughter.
I had just wanted to say something when I saw the bracelet I gave to Cara in the corridor. The most important thing to do now was to find her.
I quickly found Jack and Ethan and yelled, "Where's Cara? You animals! What did you do to Cara?"
Ethan and Jack both felt strange with my reaction. Ethan said in annoyance, "You mad? Isn't Cara with you?"
"No. Cara disappeared."
I had just wanted to explain when a thought flashed through my mind. I needed to calm down. My daughter needed me. However, one sentence from Jack was enough to ignite my fury. "She's not even my daughter. Why should I try to find her?"
I was stunned. All the pain and suffering I had endured seemed to drown me in that instant in a deluge. I threw the paternity test report on his face and yelled, "Read it! Cara's your daughter! But she won't have anything to do with you anymore after this! I'm getting a divorce, Jack!"