The Paternity Puzzle

After the divorce, I moved with my son, Max, from city to city, spending two years trying to find our footing here finally.

I thought leaving that family behind would make everything better.

But the thing I feared the most still happened.

Downstairs at my office building stood Martin Davis with a bouquet. His handsome features and imposing stature captivated many women.

My colleagues gossiped around me.

"Look at his demeanor. He's definitely a successful bachelor, with his luxury car and designer watch."

"He's been waiting downstairs for almost a month. What patience!"

"Victoria must have some charm; even our company's most popular woman can't catch his eye."

"Victoria is so attractive. Divorced and with a child, she still has such a following! I'm envious!"

I listened quietly in silence, but inside, my heart was filled with bitterness.

If they only knew the man they were discussing was my ex-husband's stepbrother, their admiration and jealousy would surely turn into disdain and contempt!

I waited until everyone had left the office before slowly making my way downstairs.

Seeing the red Porsche gone, I breathed a sigh of relief.

My job paid enough to support us, and I didn't have to work on weekends, which allowed me plenty of time to be with Max.

If I had to quit because of him, I would be heartbroken for a long time.

As I stepped out, preparing to hail a taxi, a pair of strong hands grabbed my shoulder.

"Victoria, do you think you can escape me by hiding?"

It was Martin!

I struggled to break free, but it was futile.

"Martin, you're wealthy enough to have any woman you want. Why do you have to pursue me? Why?"

I questioned him with all my might, but it never seemed to awaken his conscience.

"Our family treated you so well, and you dared to run off with Max! If I hadn't found you in time, you would have married that pretty boy with our Davis family's child!

"Victoria, do you think he would still want you if he knew the real relationship between the three of us?"

At that moment, I wished God would take away this demon who had destroyed my marriage and ruined my life!

I met Ray Davis in college, and we had a passionate four-year romance.

We got married as soon as we graduated.

The first time I met Ray's stepbrother, Martin, was during our parents' meeting.

Ray's father passed away early, and his mother, Linda, remarried Paul Davis. She won Paul's affection, and he changed Ray's last name to Davis, treating him like his own son.

Although they were not blood-related, Ray and Martin had an unexpectedly good relationship.

A car accident a few years ago turned Paul into a vegetative state, and he had been in a coma for four years.

He had made a will stating that his assets would be distributed according to the number of family members.

So, after Ray and I got married, Linda urged us to have a child, saying it was to continue the Davis family line and pray for the comatose Paul.

But I knew deep down that she just wanted to claim more of the inheritance.

I think Martin was also aware of this.

After two years of trying to conceive without success, Linda began to complain about me behind my back, calling me a defective woman who couldn't bear children.

So, we went to the hospital for a thorough check-up.

Surprisingly, the problem wasn't me; it was Ray.

He had a congenital sperm deficiency, making natural conception nearly impossible.

Eager to have a grandchild, Linda started believing in all sorts of folk remedies, forcing us to drink dark, gloopy concoctions every day, making life miserable for both Ray and me.

As a doctor, Martin couldn't bear to see such foolishness and sincerely suggested,

"Ray, if you and Victoria trust me, come to our hospital for in-vitro fertilization. I'm in charge of that department. It's better than drinking these messy potions!"

Linda didn't trust Martin and wanted to stop us, but she couldn't waver Ray's trust in his brother.