Sleep did not arrive that night. Marion's words haunted Conrad. Back in 2006, she told Victoria that she regretted not aborting her like her father had wanted. He didn't trust this man who claimed to have stake in Victoria's life and yet he knew Marion could easily fabricate the truth in order to hurt Victoria. Her whole life, the image of Victoria's father was used as a way to add insult to injury. Marion constantly assured Victoria that every flaw was inherited from her father. Conrad wasn't convinced, he knew that it was a miracle that Victoria wasn't made entirely of flaws.
He watched her over the course of the day. She was quieter than usual and he knew why. Victoria had ignored her fear of doctors, hospitals and needles aside to get her blood test. He accompanied her although he wasn't sure she even noticed. She spent the car ride home absentmindedly running her fingers along the bandage on her arm. He knew her mind was racing, unsure of whether she wanted the DNA to be a match or not.
He wanted it to be true, for her sake. He wanted his wife to experience the type of bond he had with his children. He held hope that it could warm his wife's heart. But, he knew there was a chance it was all a ruse. His family had been targeted over the years. When Patrick's existence came to light, thousands of people claimed to be the estranged boy. He feared that this man could be another con artist looking for a handout.
Victoria had chosen not to tell the kids before she knew for sure. Conrad respected her wishes but was unable to keep her secret when she couldn't even fake an interest in the stories. They promised not to let her know that he had told and he liked giving them a heads up in case she behaved erratically after the results.
He watched as she pushed her dinner from one side of the plate to the other. It didn't take long for her to excuse herself to the cupola. Hours later, he found her there. Her skin was like ice but she refused to move, finding comfort in her isolation.
"My God, Victoria. You're going to catch cold!" He said, wrapping a blanket around her.
"I like it out here." She spoke without bothering to glance up at him. She watched the waves crashing into the shore, hypnotized by its rhythm. She couldn't get the idea of having a father out of her mind, so even the waves seemed to belong to the sand. She wondered if she'd ever belong to anyone like that.
"Come inside, Vic. Please." The desperation in his voice brought her back to reality and she followed along behind him. They stood in her bedroom in silence. Feeling awkward, Conrad made a lame excuse and headed towards the door.
"Don't go," she whispered. He turned around but didn't say anything.
"Would you please stay with me? I don't want to be alone."
He knew what she was really asking. Over the years he had become an expert at understanding how her brain worked. The minute she felt vulnerable she reached out to him. Every time, it ended with her seducing him.
He walked over to her, and like clockwork, her lips crashed into his. Her tongue ran along his lips, begging for entry. He grabbed her shoulders, pushing her back.
"It's going to be okay." He reminded her. She stood silently, unsure of what to say.
"I hate feeling like this."
"Like what?"
"I'm scared of the results. I'm afraid that I'm part of this man, the good and the bad. And even more, I'm scared that it's just some cruel joke. That someone out there is enjoying my misery-"
"Victoria, I promise you that if the DNA test isn't a match I will obliterate this man."
"Conrad-"
"I mean it. No one plays games with my family and no one, and I mean no one messes with my wife."
She grabbed his hand, leading him to the bed. He couldn't resist her anymore and gave into her advances. He had been in this situation enough times to know that while Victoria wanted it rough, that wasn't what she'd wish she had in the morning. Every time she grabbed at him he held her hands, reining her in. She pushed herself against him but he continued the same pace. Eventually she relaxed in his embrace, wrapping her arms around his neck. She moved her mouth next to his ear. She stifled her moans, but with her mouth pressed against his ear it was like she was whispering a secret for him and him alone.
Afterwards he held her until she fell asleep. Watching her toss and turn in her sleep, Conrad prayed that he would get the test results first. He knew it could either make or break Victoria.
