Reese took Millie''s phone and scanned the screen, her eyebrows lifting in surprise when she saw the words "gic test results."


    "How did you even get their test reports?" She nced at Millie, still remembering how Aiden had said he''d arranged everything with ab overseas.


    Millie gave her wine azy swirl and grinned, looking proud of herself. "Gic testing here is just as good as anywhere else now. The results are just as urate.


    "Mypany actually works with a bunch of foreignbs, but honestly, a lot of those so-called ''international'' samples are tested right here at home. It''s way cheaper. Only rich people still believe foreignbs are better than ours."


    Reese nodded, things starting to make sense. "No wonder."


    Maybe it was a good thing she''d asked Millie to help with Matthew''s test after all. The thought of him brought a knot of worry to her chest. If both Sebastian and Robbie had tested positive for gic mutations, then Matthew might be at risk too.


    She looked at Millie. "So what about the appointment you booked for Matthew''s screening? Are you sure it''s sorted?"


    Millie took a sip of her soup and waved her off. "Rx. It''s all set. As soon as he''s back in Bridger Lake, he can go straight in for the test. Theb''s expecting him."


    Reese finally felt her shoulders loosen. She pulled out her phone and started typing a message, hesitating a moment before deciding not to mention Sebastian and Robbie''s results.


    She sent it: Matthew, I''ve set up your gic screening. Once you''re back in Bridger Lake, make some time for a checkup.


    Millie gave a low whistle, raising her eyebrows with a sly smile. "So, who exactly is this Matthew?"


    "Just a friend," Reese said, a little too quickly.


    She watched the screen for the sent notification, her thoughts drifting back to that day in the researchb, when she''d nearly passed out and Matthew had carried her out. He''d been there for her more than once, always stepping in to protect her, even getting hurt in the process.


    Without meaning to, she started to smile, her usual serious expression softening.


    Millie wasn''t about to let it go. "Doesn''t seem like just a regr friend to me. You don''t even care about Sebastian anymore, but here you are fussing over this Matthew before you think about your ex or your son."


    "When did you get a friend like that, anyway? Seems like you care about him a lot."


    Reese felt her ears start to burn. She picked up her wine and took a sip, trying to y it cool. Her voice sounded just a little awkward.


    "Don''t make it weird. He''s Sebastian''s half-brother. He''s helped me out before."


    Millie just grinned wider, clearly seeing right through her. She didn''t push, just watched Reese with a teasing look in her eyes.


    Feeling exposed, Reese quickly changed the subject.


    The hospital room was quiet and the afternoon sun cast pale light across the bed Tara tay there looking exhausted and fragile. Rosie came in carrying a thermos, her face@ight with worry.


    "What happened? Why did you suddenly have trouble with the baby?" Rosie set the thermos down in a rush. And where''s Zach? He used to panic if you so much as frowned. Why isn''t he here with you?"


    Tara''s eyes clouded over and she spoke softly, voice barely more than a whisper. "He''s noting."


    Rosie''s worry deepened. "Why not? Did you two get in a fight?"


    Tara closed her eyes, breathing in slow and deep before she finally spoke. “He found out. He knows what we did to Reese."


    Rosie''s face went white as her hands slipped and the thermos ttered to the floor, soup sshing everywhere.


    "He... He knows? How did he find out?"


    Zach had survived the cutthroat inheritance battle in the Wiles family. He wasn''t someone who''d be fooled or manipted easily. Now that he knew what they''d done, the Ramos family might be in great danger.


    Tara forced herself to sit up a little straighter, reaching out to calm her. "Mom, calm down."