PART 6

Everyone in that room knew where Victor had been during the likely conception window. He had spent seven weeks supervising a bridge project in Singapore. Naomi had remained at the Reynolds headquarters. At the time, Victor and Naomi were supposedly only colleagues. Their affair had begun three weeks after he returned. At least, that was what Naomi had told him. Victor looked at her. “When was this baby conceived?” “Victor, we can discuss this at home.” “When?” Dr. Shah removed the probe and covered Naomi with a sheet.

“This is a private medical matter,” she said. “Perhaps the two of you would prefer to continue the conversation alone.” “No,” Victor said. “My family came here to see my son.” Naomi sat up. “He is your son.” Victor’s voice dropped. “I was on another continent.” “The dates are wrong.” “The doctor just said they aren’t.” “Then you must have returned earlier than you remember.” Everyone turned toward her. Victor stared in disbelief. “You think I forgot when I returned from a seven-week international assignment?”

Naomi’s face began to lose its color. Miriam stood. “Doctor, could there be some kind of mistake in the records? Perhaps the first scan belonged to another patient.” Dr. Shah checked Naomi’s date of birth and patient identification number. “It is the correct record.” Then she paused over one page. “There is one question I need to ask before I continue.” Naomi’s eyes fixed on the file. “What question?” Dr. Shah looked around the crowded room. “Ms. Prescott, is Victor Reynolds the same partner you identified at your first prenatal appointment?” Every smile vanished. Victor turned slowly toward Naomi. “What does she mean?”

Naomi said nothing. Dr. Shah closed the file. “I think it would be best if everyone except my patient left the room.” Victor stepped back from the examination table as though Naomi had become a stranger. “Who did you identify?” Naomi’s lips trembled. “Victor, please.” “What name is in that file?” Dr. Shah refused to answer. “I cannot disclose private information without Ms. Prescott’s consent.” Victor faced Naomi. “Give her consent.” “Not here.” “Give her consent now.” Walter rose from his chair. “That’s enough.

We’ll handle this privately.” Naomi looked at Walter. Only for a second. But Samantha noticed. So did Victor. “What was that?” Victor asked. Naomi shook her head. “What was what?” “The way you just looked at my father.” Walter’s expression hardened. “You are upset and imagining things.” Victor turned toward him. “Were you with Naomi while I was in Singapore?” Miriam stared at her husband. Walter did not answer.

CONTINUE FOR NEXT PART….