Chapter 82

"Could it be me?" Dominick wondered, his gaze fixed on Serena. Marissa's heart leaped; she felt certain Serena was Dominick's daughter, a suspicion she'd harbored since the beginning, but had suppressed. Paisley's earlier denial had eased her doubts, but now… Marissa feared Paisley's agitation might betray the truth. Dominick's longing was palpable. If Serena were his, he’d likely remarry Paisley.

“Absolutely not,” Marissa thought fiercely.

Paisley’s icy voice cut through her turmoil. “Who Serena’s father is doesn’t matter, but it certainly isn’t you.” To seal the deal, she added, “Serena’s blood type is A.” Paisley had planned this. Serena's records had been altered. With Dominick’s Type O and Paisley’s Type B, a Type A child was impossible.

The hope draining from Dominick's eyes was agonizing to watch. “So it’s not mine,” he thought, a familiar bitterness filling him. Marissa, however, felt a wave of relief wash over her. Paisley's lie, even if investigated, would hold.

But her relief was short-lived. A change in the atmosphere, the subtle shift in the guests' gazes… then Nathaniel spoke.

“Oh, Ms. Sutton,” he drawled, “so you’re Dominick’s mysterious ex-wife. And I suppose that makes you the… mistress?” His smirk left the rest unspoken.

The room erupted in whispers.

"Oli, that's Mr. Vanderbilt's ex-wife! Heard so much about her…"

"She's beautiful, more so than Ms. Prescott. Wonder why they divorced?"

"Didn't that woman just say it? She willingly became the other woman."

"It's not that simple. Childhood sweethearts! If he hadn't married while she was studying abroad…"

"The Vanderbilts adored her…"

"He married someone else, then divorced as soon as she returned…"

"Fat lot of good that did her. She still got nothing."

The whispers, though low, stung. Marissa’s carefully constructed image shattered. She shot Nathaniel a venomous glare. He merely smiled mockingly before strolling away.

"Damn you, Nathaniel," she thought, "this isn't over."