Chapter 54. Closer to the Truth

GABRIEL

I looked down at little Maddie, her big brown eyes staring up at me with a curious expression. She was the spitting image of her mother, Kira. I knew Kira would never agree to a DNA test for Maddie, even though I had my doubts about her true paternity. But I couldn’t let go of my need to know, to be sure that Maddie was really my daughter.

I sighed,running a hand through my hair as I tried to come up with a plan. Maddie was too young to understand the complexities of DNA testing, and Kira was too protective to let me take her for a test without a fight. But I was determined to find a way to do it without causing a rift in our already fragile relationship.

As Maddie played with her toys, I watched her, trying to come up with a plan. And then it hit me. I would do the DNA test without Kira or Maddie ever knowing.

I played with Maddie almost all day and then I waited until she was asleep, then gently swabbed the inside of her cheek with a cotton swab. It