The waiting was unbearable.
Amara checked her phone every few minutes.
At work.
At home.
Even in the middle of the night.
Every notification made her heart jump—only to fall again when it wasn't the one she was hoping for.
Three days passed.
Then four.
Then five.
By the sixth day, doubt began creeping in again.
Maybe the email didn't go through.
Maybe it wasn't important enough.
Maybe—
Her phone buzzed.
Amara froze.
Her breath caught as she slowly picked it up.
Her fingers trembled as she unlocked the screen.
⸻
New Email.
⸻
Her heart started racing.
Faster.
Louder.
⸻
She opened it.
⸻
"Dear Amara,
Thank you for reaching out. I have read your message carefully, and I must say—your situation, while rare, is not impossible.
If what you suspect is correct, this may involve a condition known as chimerism. However, proper medical testing and evaluation will be required to confirm this.
I would be willing to review your case further. Please provide any existing DNA test results and relevant medical history.
Regards,
Dr. Ibrahim Kareem"
⸻
Amara's eyes widened.
Her lips parted slightly.
⸻
"He believes me…"
The words slipped out in a whisper.
Not loud.
But filled with disbelief.
⸻
For the first time—
Someone didn't dismiss her.
Someone didn't judge her.
Someone didn't call her a liar.
⸻
Tears filled her eyes instantly.
But she didn't cry out of pain.
She cried out of relief.
⸻
At the shop, Hajiya Mariam noticed immediately.
"You've received good news," she said calmly.
Amara nodded, unable to hide her smile.
"Yes."
"Then hold onto it," the woman replied. "Good things are rare. Don't let fear take them away."
⸻
That evening, Amara gathered everything she had.
The DNA test results.
Hospital papers.
Old photographs.
Anything—
Everything.
⸻
She spread them out carefully on the bed.
Her eyes scanning each document like it held the answer.
⸻
"This is where it started…" she murmured, picking up the DNA report.
Her chest tightened slightly.
Even now, looking at it hurt.
⸻
"Alleged father: Excluded."
⸻
She swallowed hard.
"Not for long," she whispered.
⸻
Carefully, she took pictures of each document.
Attached them to the email.
And sent them to Dr. Kareem.
⸻
This time—
She didn't hesitate.
⸻
The response came quicker.
The very next day.
⸻
"Amara,
I have reviewed the documents you sent. The results do indicate non-paternity based on standard testing methods.
However, given your claim and the resemblance you mentioned, I believe further investigation is warranted.
There are advanced tests that can detect chimerism. These involve sampling from different parts of the body—not just blood.
If you are willing, we can proceed with a more detailed evaluation.
This may require the participation of the alleged father.
Let me know how you wish to proceed.
—Dr. Kareem"
⸻
Amara read the message twice.
Then a third time.
⸻
Her heart pounded again.
But this time—
It wasn't fear.
It was possibility.
⸻
Different parts of the body.
Different DNA.
Proof.
⸻
"This is it…" she whispered.
"This is how I prove it."
⸻
But then—
Reality set in.
⸻
Khalid.
⸻
Her grip on the phone tightened.
He had already shut her down once.
Would he even agree to this?
Would he listen?
⸻
Amara closed her eyes briefly.
Taking a deep breath.
⸻
"I don't need his permission to try," she said quietly.
"But I do need him… to finish this."
⸻
That night, she made a decision.
A difficult one.
A bold one.
⸻
She would go to him.
In person.
⸻
No phone calls.
No messages.
No distance to hide behind.
⸻
If there was even the smallest chance—
The smallest doubt in his mind—
She would find it.
And she would use it.
⸻
The next day, after work, Amara stood in front of Khalid's house.
Her heart pounded violently against her chest.
Her palms were damp.
Her thoughts raced.
⸻
She hadn't been here since the divorce.
Since the day everything fell apart.
⸻
For a moment—
She almost turned back.
⸻
But then—
She looked down at Zayn.
⸻
And remembered why she was here.
⸻
She raised her hand.
And knocked.
⸻
The sound echoed louder than she expected.
⸻
Seconds passed.
Then footsteps.
⸻
The door opened.
⸻
Khalid stood there.
⸻
His expression changed the moment he saw her.
Surprise.
Then irritation.
Then something else—
Something unreadable.
⸻
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
⸻
Amara met his eyes.
This time—
She didn't look away.
⸻
"I'm here to prove the truth," she said.
⸻
He frowned slightly.
"What truth?"
⸻
Amara took a slow breath.
Then spoke clearly.
Steadily.
⸻
"The one beneath your blood."
⸻
Silence fell between them.
Heavy.
Tense.
Unavoidable.
⸻
And for the first time—
Khalid didn't shut the door.