Chapter 3 - Dr. Levin’s Folder
Dr. Levin was not dramatic.
That made his testimony devastating.
He sat in the witness chair with his medical folder closed, speaking in a calm clinical voice that gave Adrian no emotional doorway to attack. He confirmed that both Naomi and Adrian had been evaluated during their fertility treatment. He confirmed that Adrian’s results had been discussed privately with him after Adrian requested a separate consultation.
Adrian’s jaw tightened.
His attorney rose. “Doctor, please be mindful of privacy limitations.”
Dr. Levin looked to the judge.
The judge nodded. “The records were entered under seal and are relevant to claims made by Mr. Vale regarding paternity and marital fault. Proceed carefully.”
Dr. Levin did.
“The records indicate Mr. Vale was medically inconsistent with natural paternity at the time of testing.”
The courtroom went still.
Naomi heard someone in the gallery inhale sharply.
Adrian’s expression changed for half a second. Not into shock. Into calculation. He had expected the truth to remain buried under privacy, shame, or delay. He had not expected Naomi to bring the one man into court who could place a clean line through his lie.
Celeste took one step backward.
Adrian turned toward her.
Not heartbroken.
Furious.
That was when Naomi understood.
He already knew.
It was not the reaction of a man learning he had been betrayed by a pregnant mistress. It was the reaction of a man watching an accomplice fail to keep the performance steady.
Naomi’s voice came out low.
“You already knew.”
Adrian froze.
Celeste looked away.
Dr. Levin closed the folder slowly.
Naomi felt the last fragile thread of grief detach from her chest. Until that moment, some wounded part of her had still been mourning the husband she thought she lost. But Adrian had not been fooled by Celeste. He had not been blinded by love. He had brought a pregnant woman into court and called her child “the real heir” while knowing there was every reason to doubt the baby was his.
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He had not been claiming a child.
He had been using one.
