Chapter 8 - LACEY REFUSES THE FIRST DNA TESTThe first DNA kit never got opened.
Catherine’s attorney had offered accredited lab in Philadelphia.
Lacey took one look at envelope stamped with law firm billing account and said no.
“I said independent.”
Margaret apologized.
“It is independent lab, but we arranged.”
“That’s not same.”
“You’re right.”
Catherine called only after Lacey gave permission.
“I’m sorry.”
“You keep saying.”
“I keep earning.”
Lacey almost smiled but remained angry.
This became important.
Control could be lost through small logistical assumptions.
Even well-meaning.
Nora found another lab in New York with identity verification, chain-of-custody, direct client portal.
Lacey contracted herself.
She paid.
Catherine offered half.
Lacey refused.
“Later maybe reimburse if appropriate.”
Catherine accepted.
This delayed another week.
Ruth asked whether she could contribute.
No.
This was Lacey’s.
Meanwhile, Lacey began questioning why she resisted so intensely.
Therapy:
“If test positive, Catherine becomes mother biologically.”
“She already either is or isn’t.”
“I know.”
“Test changes knowledge.”
“Yes.”
“What do you fear knowledge requires?”
Lacey answered:
“That I have to love her.”
“No.”
“That I have to hate Ruth.”
“No.”
“That I have to become Lucy.”
“No.”
“That I have to care about dead father.”
“No.”
Maya repeated until Lacey angry.
“So nothing?”
“Knowledge requires adjustment.”
“Not obedience.”
That helped.
At restaurant, Catherine stayed away.
She sent no flowers.
No giant gesture.
Lacey found herself disappointed once.
Then annoyed at herself.
She wanted proof Catherine cared but also no contact.
Contradictory.
Human.
One evening a wealthy mother and adult daughter argued at table about wedding.
Daughter:
“You make everything about you.”
Mother:
“I’m paying.”
Lacey nearly laughed at universe.
She served dessert.
After shift, Tessa asked:
“What if she’s your mom?”
“I don’t know.”
“Would you quit?”
“Why?”
“Because rich?”
Lacey stared.
Tessa corrected:
“Sorry.”
“No, useful.”
“Everyone thinks if Catherine is mother, my life upgrades.”
“Doesn’t it?”
“Money maybe.”
“Identity becomes harder.”
Tessa nodded.
“Would you take money?”
“I don’t know.”
“Would I?”
“Yes.”
They laughed.
Important friendship.
Lacey did not become morally pure refusing wealth.
She simply wanted boundaries.
Catherine’s wealth would later create complications.
At home, Lacey read Catherine’s financial profile:
Alder family worth hundreds millions? Catherine herself maybe ~$70m through inheritance/investments.
That amount distorted.
If confirmed, tabloids could frame waitress as heiress.
Lacey hated.
Catherine anticipated.
Her trust counsel sent note through Nora:
If identity confirmed, no existing Alder trust automatically transfers without legal proceedings. Jonathan’s estate contained contingent provision for Lucy if found, but Catherine will not discuss unless Lacey requests.
Good.
No bait.
Lacey asked Nora:
“How much?”
Nora:
“You asked not.”
“I changed.”
Estimate:
Jonathan left substantial dormant trust—maybe $18 million principal plus growth—held for missing daughter until certain age/term, now still escrow because presumed-death? This could be legal complex. We need not overdo. Perhaps trust specifically held share for Lucy if later identified, managed independent trustee. That creates stakes but not motive for disappearance? Beatrice maybe controlled family legacy. Could be.
Lacey’s stomach turned.
“I don’t want.”
“You don’t need decide.”
Again.
Everyone telling.
She snapped:
“I know.”
Then apologized.
DNA was not only family.
It could affect money.
Legal name.
Media.
Adoption status.
Potential criminal case.
No wonder she delayed.
Catherine respected.
One night Catherine called after Lacey initiated.
“What if I don’t test?”
Catherine took long time.
“I will believe pendant matters.”
“I will not call you daughter.”
“I will keep searching records if you want.”
“If you don’t want, I stop.”
“My private belief would be mine.”
“Would you think I’m Lucy?”
“Yes.”
Honest.
“Would that make you miserable?”
“I have been miserable about Lucy twenty-six years.”
“That is not your job.”
Lacey looked away.
“Did you ever stop living?”
Catherine thought.
“For periods.”
“Then I learned grief can live beside dinner, work, travel.”
“I went to Greece once and hated myself for enjoying.”
“My therapist told me Lucy did not need me unhappy to prove love.”
Lacey smiled faintly.
“Good therapist.”
“Yes.”
“Did you date?”
Catherine laughed softly.
“Yes.”
“Why asking?”
“I don’t know.”
“I’m trying imagine you not as missing-child mother.”
That moved Catherine deeply.
But she kept restrained.
“I dated.”
“Had long relationship six years.”
“Ended because we wanted different lives.”
“I like gardening badly.”
“I hate opera despite pretending.”
“I collect ceramic bowls I don’t need.”
Lacey laughed.
“Okay.”
“Your turn?”
“No.”
“Fair.”
They spoke ten more minutes.
Not case.
Books.
Princeton.
Restaurant.
Then Lacey ended.
After call, she realized something.
Catherine had become person.
That increased urgency.
Two days later, Lacey went to independent lab.
Nora attended as legal support.
No Catherine representative.
Identification checked.
Sample collected.
Catherine’s sample appointment separate, same chain.
Results estimated five business days.
Lacey signed portal release:
Result visible first to Lacey Norwood. Secondary release only upon her authorization.
She stared at screen.
Five days.
For twenty-six years, truth had been buried.
Now it had tracking number.
She returned to work.
The pendant remained in locked drawer.
At table twelve, empty.
She wondered where Catherine was.
Then stopped herself.
Five days.
No one could speed.
Not money.
May you like
Not fear.
For once, waiting belonged to Lacey.
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