PART 5

The next morning, we drove to a genetic counseling office recommended by Wyatt’s physician.

The counselor, Dr.

Celia Ruiz, studied the report but refused to give us the instant certainty I desperately wanted.

“Close-family matches are powerful evidence,” she explained, “but commercial categories are estimates.

Their amount of shared DNA is consistent with full siblings.

We should confirm the relationship through an independent, consent-based test and, if they both agree, compare relevant records.”

Austin arrived halfway through the appointment.