Chapter 9: A: The Unveiled Truth

👉 Previous Decision: You chose to present the DNA paternity paper retrieved from Lily’s coat to expose Julian’s motive.

“There’s more,” Maya stated, her voice stronger now, empowered by the collective support. She reached into Lily’s coat pocket, which O’Reilly had placed on an empty seat, and pulled out the crumpled paternity report.

“This is a certified DNA document,” she said, smoothing the paper. “I found it in Julian’s briefcase. Lily is not his biological child.”

She handed the document to Ethan. His eyes widened as he read the bold headline. His gaze shifted from the paper to Julian, a raw, burning anger filling his face.

“What is this?” Ethan growled, his voice thick with disbelief. He read the damning lines aloud, his voice gaining strength with each word. “PATERNAL EXCLUSION: JULIAN LARSEN. This says you’re not Lily’s father!”

A collective gasp swept through the small group. Nora’s hand flew to her mouth. O’Reilly’s expression hardened, his attention now fully locked on Julian.

Julian’s smooth façade finally cracked. His jaw tightened. “That’s a fabrication,” he spat, his voice losing its composure. “Another one of her delusions.”

“It’s dated five months ago,” Ethan countered, his finger jabbing at the paper. “Right before Maya’s twentieth birthday. The one where her trust fund becomes solely hers, without your influence.”

Nora stepped forward, her eyes blazing. “You married her for the inheritance, didn’t you, Julian? And then you planned to eliminate Maya and her family, including Ethan, so Lily, as your alleged child, would inherit the trust directly when Maya was gone.”

The full, horrifying scope of Julian’s plan hung in the air, a chilling revelation. He had orchestrated everything: the marriage, the gaslighting, the murder of Marcus, and the sabotaged train. All for Maya’s money. All to ensure his claim on Lily, a child not his own, who would inherit Maya’s estate. The condemned bridge was meant to erase everyone.

The train bucked violently. The Black River Trestle was almost upon them.