A pang of sorrow gripped my heart and my eyes burned with unshed tears. Yet I didn’t dare cry. Holding back my emotions, I brought over a bag full of Ella’s favorite things and set them gently by her bedside.
On the nightstand lay a crumpled, opened manila envelope. The paternity test results were scattered in plain view. The result was glaring vividly in my eyes. It clearly stated that Cassie was ninety-nine point ninety-nine hundred ninety match, while Ella was just ninety-nine percent.
Biologically stated having a match of over ninety-nine point ninety-nine percent confirmed that the recipients have a parent and child relationship.
I stared at those cold, unforgiving figures, momentarily dazed. With a deep breath, I pushed the papers aside and covered them with the gifts I had brought.
"Ella, how are you feeling? Is anything still hurting?” I asked, my voice shaky but gentle. “Mom brought you some things you love..."
"Aunty Sarah, thank you for your kindness,” Ella cut me off. Her voice was flat and distant. “However, I don’t need any of it. I’m terrified I won’t be able to pay back everything I owe to the Barnes Family.”