Those Who Laugh Last... Chapter One - {E/T, Gwen}
by sadhappygirl
 
 

      Julian Crane handed Theresa the results of the DNA test. The corner of his lips curled upward in to a smile as he studied the face of his befuddled, soon-to-be ex-wife.
"As you can see that little boy is indeed my seed." He said smoothly.

Theresa shook her head in disbelief as she read the cold hard truth: Ethan Martin was definitely a Crane!

Her attorney grabbed her by the waist as her knees gave way beneath her. He helped an unsteady Theresa into the nearest chair.

Julian poured her a glass of water and handed it to her. "Would you like something stronger?" He asked as he watched the glass trembled in her hands.

"I want nothing from you." She hissed coldly. She let the DNA test fall to the floor.

She was so sure! How could fate be so cruel?

FLASHBACK

"Ethan Martin is your son Ethan!" Theresa screamed as she burst into the room.

Ethan was on his knees...

His engagement ring dangling half way down Gwen's finger...

When she made her proclamation...

"Are you sure Theresa." Ethan gasped as he hopped up and rushed to her side, leaving a heartbroken Gwen in his mist.

Theresa happily nodded her head.

"I remember my wedding night with Julian." She smiled. "We didn't consumate the marriage because we were both too drunk!" She said joyfully. "We fell asleep end of story..isn't that wonderful?"

She wraped her arms around him and looked into the eyes of the dejected woman in front of her - smirking.

"Then little Ethan is..."

"Yes my darling...he is ours...yours and mine!"

      To add insult to injury, Ethan kneeled down on one knee and took Theresa's hands in his.

"Will you do me the honor of making me the happiest man alive?" He gushed. "Will you marry me?"

"Yes Ethan yes!" She laughed as she ripped Julian's wedding band from her left hand.

Bitter tears flowed from Gwen's eyes as she watched in horror as Ethan slid the same ring - which a few moments ago adorned her finger - onto the hand of her worst enemy.

"Ethan we are going to be so happy." Theresa beamed as she purposely flaunted her new engagement ring in Gwen's crestfallen face. "You, me and Ethan Martin..."

END OF FLASHBACK

      "Hello earth to Theresa." Julian said as he snaped his manicured fingers "Are you in there?"

Therese began to sobbed uncontrollably.

"Ethan Martin wil be raise as a Crane of course." Julian stated matter-of-factly as he ignored her tears. "I shall have sole custody of my son."

"Ethan is not your son!" She yelled. "You had one of your hire quacks alter the test." She said accusingly.

"No my dear parasite, unlike you and Ivy who can easily persuade Dr. Eve to do your bidding, I was smart enough to send our DNA samples to a top notch lab in Washington D.C. so there could be no mistakes."

"Then Alistair..."

"Come, come now Theresa you are grasping at straws, why would father want to keep a child that wasn't a Crane? Have you forgotten what happended to Ethan?"

"I told Ethan that little Ethan was his." She sobbed. "He expects to raise him as his own."

"So you lied to Ethan, what's the big deal? That is nothing new, I'm sure he will forgive you, he always do."

"Sign on the dotted line Theresa." He urged. "Then you will be free to marry our heart desire in 24 hours."

"I can't leave without little Ethan." She cried. "Ethan would not understand."

"If you think that I'm going to let you walk out of here with my son...than you are seriously mistaken." He growled.

"I'll fight you for custody..."

"Don't be a fool Theresa, no judge in his right mind is going to award custody to a foolish mother that was more than willing to put the welfare of her unborn child in danger because of her unbridle lust for another man!"

"But...but...Ethan..."

"I don't give a damn about Ethan!" Julian fumed. "How dare you think so little of my son that you were so willng to orphan him because of your obsession for Ethan!"

"I had to protect Ethan!" She explained. "He would have died if I hadn't..."

She stopped in mid sentence...

She realized that it was true!...

Ethan meant more to her than her own child...

"Sign on the dotted line Theresa." Julian repeated as he refreshed his drink. "I will not take the chance of you taking out your hatred for me on my son."

"But I will never..."

"Ethan Martin will get along fine without his so-called mother."

Theresa glanced at the diamond ring she waited so long for then at her attorney.

"I'm afraid that you would lose if you fight for custody Mrs. Crane." He stated truthfully. "Do you really want to spend years tied up in court agianst the all powerful Julian Crane? You don't have the resources."

"Listen to your attorney Theresa." Julian replied. "I'm sure you do not want your precious Ethan good name smeared aross the front page of every sleazy gossip rag in the nation." He sneered.

He tapped his finger impatiently against the divorce papers.

"Sign!" He bellowed.

Theresa reluctantly signed the divorced papers. Julian pulled a cigar from his suit breast pocket and lit it, taking a long gratifying drag.

"You have fifteen minutes to vacate the property." He warned her. "The things you came with is waiting for you in a large hefty trash bag by the front door."

"I hate you." She hissed. "I will never forgive you Julian."

Her words fell on deaf ears.

"Fourteen minutes and counting."

Theresa stormed out the room.

Julian picked up the phone. "Hello Orkin Man?" He greeted. "I need to have my home fumigated..."
 
 
 
 
 
 

Chapter 2
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