My father had raised me knowing—or perhaps eventually discovering—that I wasn’t biologically his.
“Who was?”
Mercer slid another page toward me.
“The sample suggested a close paternal relationship with another participant.”
I looked at the name.
Peter Hale.
Daniel’s father.
Daniel stood so quickly his chair scraped across the floor.
“No.”
Mercer raised a hand.
“Before you misunderstand, the interpretation at the time was incomplete.”
Daniel stared at him.
“That’s my father.”
“I know.”
My stomach twisted.
“Are you saying Daniel and I—”
“No.”
Mercer said it firmly.
“No.”
I nearly collapsed with relief.
“Then explain.”
“The sample identified Peter Hale as a likely close relative, not necessarily your father.”
“What relative?”
“We never determined.”
I looked at Daniel.
He looked equally stunned.
Mercer continued.
“Genetic testing in 1999 was far less comprehensive than what consumers can obtain today. The report generated a probable family association.”
“Could Peter have been my uncle?”
