Madelaine heard the doorbell ring. She went to open the door.

” Mr. Crane. What a surprise. I’m sorry, but neither Eve nor Chad is here, but I’ll give them the message that you came by. Sorry you came out in the rain for nothing. ”

” I didn’t come to see them, Mrs. Russell.”

” You didn’t? Well, Theodore isn’t here either, and I think we know how he would feel about you coming here.”

” I didn’t come to see TC either.”

“ Well then, I’m confused.”

” I came to see you.”

” I don’t know what we would have to discuss?”

“ Maybe the fact that there’s no way Eve can be Chad’s mother.”

Madelaine looked at Julian.

” What did you say?”, she asked in a quiet voice.

” I really don’t want to have this conversation outside.”, Julian said as he entered the Russell house, continuing into the living room. Madelaine closed the door and walked to the living room slowly.

” Mr. Crane, I really don’t understand why you’re here, talking nonsense about Eve not being Chad’s mother.”

” You know, you’re good. Damn good. I’ve met liars in my time, and if I hadn’t of been watching you like a hawk, I wouldn’t have noticed the split second where your façade weakened and the truth shone through.

I said that there is no way that Eve is Chad’s mother.”

” I don’t understand.”

” Eve and I had planned a surprise for Chad’s baptism. We were going to present him a copy of his birth certificate. We would be listed as his PARENTS. All we needed was a DNA confirmation on Eve’s part, and it was all set. Imagine my surprise when the lab technician informed me that Eve wasn’t a DNA match for Chad. “

” Really? I’m shocked, Mr. Crane.”

” The hell you are, Mrs. Russell. I went back to the person who ‘confirmed’ that Chad was our son – Mr. Perkins. It’s fascinating what he had to say.”

” Which is?”

” I asked him what was the truth, and he said he wouldn’t tell me. He said that he had been ‘convinced’ to tell that Chad was mine and Eve’s son.  He knew someone that could tell me the entire truth. And, then he said to ask you.”

” Me?”

” Yes, YOU, Mrs. Russell. I thought he was crazy or sending me on a wild goose chase, until the moment I saw your façade drop. I actually saw fear in your eyes for a split second. That convinced me that it was the truth. So, I want to know the truth. WHY in the hell would you do it? What could you get out of it?

I WANT THE TRUTH!, DAMMIT!”

Madelaine’s eyes went cold, and her voice went to a whisper.

“ Be careful what you wish for, Mr. Crane. You just might get it.”

They stood there, glaring at one another.

“ Woman, you better tell me the truth, and NOW!”

“ Don’t threaten me, Mr. Crane. Don’t even think about it. Do you know that Alistair would slit your throat if he knew you were here?”

The mention of his father’s name sent a chill down Julian’s spine.

” My father? What does he have to do with this?”

” Everything.”

Julian stared at Madelaine.

“ Why bring my father into this?”

“ Because he’s the reason why we’re here today.”

Madelaine turned away from Julian and sat down on the couch.

“ You can leave this house now, and pay off the lab technician, and Chad and Eve would be none the wiser. “

” I’d know.”

” I’m sure you’ve kept your share of lies and secrets over the years. It would only hurt two people who have found love and a sense of serenity in discovering their relationship.”

” It’s a lie.”

“ Sometimes, lies are beneficial.”

” Chad is my son. I want him to have his mother.” Julian heard his phone ring. He opened it.

” Julian Crane!….Ethan…wait…what? Father is at the Mansion? Calm down, Ethan. I’ll be home as soon as possible. Just keep him and Chad away from one another. Thank you.”

Julian turned off this phone.

” Alistair is in Harmony?”

” Yes. And, he and Chad have already had a confrontation.”

” Not good. Don’t you have somewhere to go?”

” Not yet, Mrs. Russell. We still haven’t settled the issue of Chad’s mother.”

” He has a mother. One who loves and adores him. Why destroy that?”

Julian looked at Madelaine. “ I have to know the truth.”

” I doubt seriously that it will set you free. In fact, I’m sure it won’t.”

There was a silence between them. Julian understood that he could leave the Russell house and nothing would be said about it. He could feel the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. For one of the few times in his life, he was truly frightened. But, a deeper part of him had to know the truth. He didn’t even understand it. Madelaine was right. He had told so many lies and kept so many secrets over the years, what did it matter? Eve loved Chad and Chad loved Eve. Their mother/son bond delighted them, and everyone was working together to make it work. Why rock that boat?

Julian couldn’t explain it. There was something in Madelaine Russell’s eyes that was dangerous. He knew that whatever she said to him would destroy his life, and yet….

“ I have to know.”