Between the Dream I Don’t Need to Continue or the Old Friend I Never Expected

Jacob Lambert shifted in his seat, gaze skittering anywhere but my face. "Ms. Matthews, why don't you go home and rest for a few days? Let things cool down."

I stared at him. "So you're buying into this garbage too?"

He leaned closer, voice dropping to a hiss. His eyes kept flicking to the livestream camera like it might bite him. "It's escalated too far—this is a PR nightmare! You have to consider the school's reputation!"

*The school's reputation.* So I should just roll over and accept baseless accusations to protect the institution's image.

"Jacob." Ice crept into my voice. "If you punish me today because you're bowing to pressure, tomorrow I will sue this institution for defamation. Think very carefully before you speak."

His complexion shifted from pale to a sickly shade of gray.

Georgia Donaldson scrambled up from the floor, wiping theatrical tears from her cheeks. She dug a crumpled piece of paper from her bag with trembling hands.

"Ms. Matthews, I knew you wouldn't admit it easily." Her voice pitched higher, playing to the camera. "That's why I went for an amniocentesis paternity test last week!"

She thrust the paper toward the lens.

"The results show a 99.99% DNA match between the baby in my belly and Mr. Sawyer!"

Silence crashed over the office like a wave.

The livestream comments froze for a heartbeat—then detonated.

*She got what she deserved! Let's see how this witch argues her way out of this one!*

*It's right there in black and white. You can't fake science!*

*She really won't cry until she sees the coffin. A teacher? Shameless!*

Jacob's expression crumbled, panic bleeding through the professional mask.

Alex Donaldson's smirk stretched wider, practically vibrating with triumph. "Ironclad evidence! You're done, Matthews! What else do you have to say? Hurry up and pay for the emotional damage! Five million—and I won't take a cent less!"

Georgia tugged at her brother's sleeve, voice quavering. "Bro, stop. Ms. Matthews has been kind to me..."

He shoved her hand away. "Kind? She used her power to force you into silence! Today, your brother is getting justice for you!"

The students crowding the doorway began to chant.

"Fire Ms. Matthews immediately! Police investigation now! Lock up the adulterous couple!"

The roar swelled, deafening. Something cold and wet struck my shoulder—leftover milk tea, splashing sticky sweetness into my hair and down my blouse.

I ignored it.

My eyes stayed fixed on the test report. A laugh bubbled up from somewhere deep in my chest.

"This report is a forgery." My voice cut through the noise like a blade. "Furthermore, a paternity test requires DNA samples from both parties. Where exactly did you acquire Dominic Sawyer's DNA?"

The color drained from Georgia's face.

"I... I got it from a cup he used..."

"Dominic has a dedicated water tumbler at his company." I kept my tone smooth, almost conversational. "It's washed and sterilized immediately after every use. You claim you retrieved DNA—what day was it? Which cup?"

Her mouth opened. Closed. Opened again.

Nothing came out.

Alex shouldered forward. "Who cares how she got it! The report is real! If you don't believe it, we'll do another test right now!"

"Agreed." The word landed like a verdict. "We'll do it right now. I'll have Dominic come here and provide a sample on the spot."

Panic flickered through Georgia's eyes. "Isn't... isn't Mr. Sawyer unreachable?"

I smiled. "Who told you that?"

"I've been calling and texting him for days, but he never replies..." Her voice shrank to a whisper. "I went to his company, and his secretary said he was on a business trip..."

"He was on a business trip." I checked my watch. "But he should be back by now."

Alex's expression shifted, something predatory gleaming in his eyes. "Perfect! Let him confront my sister face-to-face! I want to see what that rapist has to say for himself!"

The livestream chat surged back to life.

*Waiting for the scumbag to show his face!*

*He won't come. He's definitely halfway to the border by now.*

*Is Anna Matthews just stalling for time?*

Jacob rushed to salvage the situation, hands raised in a placating gesture. "Ms. Matthews, if your husband can come, that would be best! Clearing this up face-to-face is good for everyone!"

I pulled out my phone and dialed.

"Anna?" Dominic's voice flowed through the receiver, deep and steady. "I just finished a full-body maintenance cycle and was about to contact you. Is something wrong?"

---

"Come to my office at the school." I kept my voice clipped, efficient. "Bring your full set of identification documents. And the product manual."

"Manual?" A beat of silence. "Has a malfunction occurred?"

My gaze slid to Georgia.

"Someone claims to be pregnant with your child. Aren't you coming to take a look?"