Chapter 5 - The Blood Test
The next afternoon, Eleanor arranged for a high-profile genetics team to conduct a formal DNA test at the townhouse, establishing legal proof of Leo’s parentage so they could file for his official birth certificate and state identity papers.
Dr. Sarah Vance (no relation), a leading geneticist from Columbia University, finished swabbing the inside of Leo’s and Julian’s cheeks in the drawing room.
"The full genomic sequencing will take forty-eight hours," Dr. Sarah told Eleanor, sealing the biohazard bags. "But based on physical traits and basic blood typing, there is zero doubt. They are monozygotic identical twins."
Eleanor smiled warmly, pulling Leo close to her side. "Thank you, doctor."
While Eleanor was showing the doctor to the door, Julian pulled Leo out onto the second-floor balcony overlooking the garden.
"Look at this," Julian said, pulling a leather-bound sketchbook from his backpack. "I've been working on this."
Leo looked at the pages. Julian had drawn detailed sketches of the two of them standing side by side—one dressed in his suit, the other in his hoodie, but behind them, their shadows merged into one powerful figure.
"You're really good at drawing," Leo said, a rare note of genuine admiration in his voice.
"Thanks," Julian smiled. "I want to go to art school in Paris after high school. Dad wants me to go to Harvard and take over Vance Capital, but I hate finance. What about you? What do you want to do?"
Leo looked out over the quiet garden, his eyes thoughtful. "When I was on the streets, I used to hang around the auto repair shops in Brooklyn. Mechanics would let me clean up tools if they gave me a sandwich. I like fixing engines. Making broken things work again."
"Then we'll open an auto shop," Julian said instantly. "You fix the cars, I'll design them, and Mom can run the business."
Leo looked at Julian, feeling a sudden, deep warmth spread through his chest—a feeling he had never experienced in fourteen years of cold, lonely nights. He really had a brother.
Suddenly, the heavy glass door to the balcony opened.
Richard walked out, looking exhausted, his suit jacket unbuttoned. He looked at the two boys sitting together on the bench.
"Julian, go downstairs. Your mother wants to talk to you about your tutors," Richard said quietly.
Julian hesitated, looking at Leo nervously. "Dad—"
"Go, Julian. Please. I just want to speak to Leo alone."
Julian gave Leo a warning look, then slowly walked inside, closing the glass door behind him.
Richard walked over to the balcony railing, leaning against it, looking out at the city skyline. For a long time, neither of them spoke.
"I know what you think of me, Leo," Richard said softly, his voice lacking its usual harsh authority. "You think I'm a monster who cares more about money than his own child."
"Aren't you?" Leo asked bluntly.
Richard sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fourteen years ago, when the doctor came out of the delivery room and told your mother that one of her twins had died in the incubator... Eleanor screamed so loud I thought her heart was going to break. For two years, she barely spoke. She didn't eat. I held her every night while she cried for the baby we lost."
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Leo looked at him, surprised.
"I didn't steal you, Leo," Richard said, turning to look the boy in the eye. "I swore on my life I didn't know you were alive until three days ago on Fifth Avenue. But the people who did steal you... are very powerful. And right now, your presence in this house is putting this entire family in danger."
