THE DRIVER'S SECRET.

The DNA Secret.

THE DRIVER'S SECRET

Chapter Fourteen: The DNA Secret

The morning sun shone brightly over Chief Peter's mansion, but inside the house, an invisible tension had begun to grow.

Chief Peter couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

For days, he had watched Collins and Amara together.

Every time Amara laughed with Collins, his heart felt strangely uneasy.

It wasn't jealousy.

It was a feeling he couldn't explain.

---

A Father's Worry

One Saturday morning, Amara woke up with a high fever.

"Mummy..." she cried weakly.

"My head hurts."

Ruth rushed into the room and placed her hand on Amara's forehead.

"Peter!"

Chief Peter hurried upstairs.

"The fever is very high."

"Let's take her to the hospital immediately."

Within minutes, Collins had already brought the SUV to the front of the mansion.

The journey to the hospital was unusually quiet.

Chief Peter held Amara in his arms.

Ruth silently prayed.

Collins drove as fast as he safely could.

---

At the Hospital

After examining Amara, the pediatrician smiled reassuringly.

"The fever isn't life-threatening."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"But..."

The doctor's expression became serious.

"We need to run a few blood tests."

Chief Peter nodded.

"No problem."

The nurse collected Amara's blood sample.

Almost an hour later, the doctor returned with the report.

He looked puzzled.

"Chief Peter..."

"Yes, Doctor?"

"I have a question."

"What is it?"

"Are you Amara's biological father?"

The room suddenly became silent.

Chief Peter frowned.

"Of course."

The doctor looked down at the report.

"The blood group doesn't match."

Chief Peter blinked.

"What do you mean?"

The doctor spoke carefully.

"I'm not saying anything is certain."

"But based on these results..."

"It would be wise to carry out a DNA test."

Ruth's face turned pale.

Her hands began to shake.

Chief Peter noticed immediately.

"Ruth?"

She couldn't answer.

---

Panic

On the drive home, nobody spoke.

Amara had fallen asleep in the back seat.

Chief Peter stared out the window.

His mind replayed the doctor's words.

"A DNA test..."

"The blood group doesn't match..."

Then another memory returned.

The conversation he had overheard in the garden.

"I was pregnant..."

His heartbeat quickened.

He slowly turned toward Ruth.

"Is there something you're hiding from me?"

Ruth looked away.

"No."

But even as she answered...

Her voice trembled.

Chief Peter noticed.

He didn't ask another question.

---

Collins Overhears

That evening, Collins parked the car in the garage.

As he walked past the study, he heard raised voices inside.

"I asked you a simple question!" Chief Peter said.

"I've told you everything I can," Ruth replied through tears.

"You've told me everything..."

"...or everything you want me to know?"

Collins stopped walking.

His heart pounded.

He wanted to leave.

But hearing Ruth cry made him freeze.

A moment later...

The door opened.

Collins quickly stepped aside.

Ruth walked past him, wiping tears from her face.

For a brief second...

Their eyes met.

Neither of them spoke.

She continued upstairs.

Collins watched her disappear.

---

A Difficult Request

Later that night, Chief Peter called Collins into his study.

"Please sit down."

Collins obeyed.

Chief Peter looked unusually tired.

"Collins..."

"Yes, sir?"

"I trust you."

"Thank you, sir."

"And I believe you're an honest man."

"I try my best to be."

Chief Peter took a deep breath.

"I have something personal to ask."

Collins nodded.

"I'm listening."

"If one day..."

"...you discovered a truth capable of destroying an entire family..."

"What would you do?"

Collins remained silent for several seconds.

Then he answered honestly.

"I would choose the truth."

Chief Peter looked surprised.

"Even if it hurts?"

Collins nodded.

"A painful truth heals faster than a comfortable lie."

Chief Peter lowered his eyes.

Those words stayed with him.

---

The Envelope

The following morning, Chief Peter received a phone call from the hospital.

"Good morning, Chief."

"This is Dr. Adebayo."

"Good morning, Doctor."

"I've arranged the DNA test."

"You only need to bring yourself and Amara."

Chief Peter looked toward the staircase.

Then quietly replied,

"I'll be there."

As he ended the call, he noticed Ruth standing silently in the hallway.

She had heard everything.

Their eyes met.

Neither of them spoke.

Both knew...

The truth they had buried for years was now only days away from being revealed.

Far away in the staff quarters, Collins sat on his bed, unaware that the next few days would change his life forever.

The little girl who called him "Uncle Collins"...

Was about to learn who he really was.

End of Chapter Fourteen