#Chapter 39: Gift Baskets

Julian’s POV Once the shred of doubt had been placed in my mind – maybe Alice was Roman’s, maybe she was mine – I couldn’t let that thought go. It haunted me, driving me to distraction, and I didn’t think I’d feel whole again until I found out the truth one way or another. Because of how strained things were between Amber and me, I didn’t feel like I could go to her for a straight answer. She might lie to me, or she might tell the truth, but I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. I needed something undisputable. Some actual science facts. Like a paternity test. Amber wouldn’t likely consent to such a thing, and I wasn’t about to approach Alice about it behind Amber’s back. Fortunately, what I did have, was a strand of Alice’s hair that had clung to my jacket the night of the banquet, from when I had carried a sleeping Alice to my car and then to her room before I walked out of the house. It felt like a miracle to have it now, tucked away inside of an envelope I perso