Richard skimmed through the results, and then glanced at Lilah, his face a mix of shock and confusion. "This can't be real."

Gerard, always the calm in the storm, said, “Hard to believe, but it's genuine."

Richard's eyes narrowed, his voice dripping with suspicion. "You two were acquainted before this? Are you young people playing some game?"

Lilah's cheeks flushed a shade of crimson, while Gerard cleared his throat, revealing, "Years ago, the person I shared that night with was Lilah, not Ruby."

Jumping into the conversation, Brenda added, “Ruby's a master manipulator. You're the only one blinded by her charade. She went so far as to plot against Lilah. Can you imagine?"

"What?" Richard, usually the assertive figure, suddenly seemed small, eyes darting around, catching the gazes filled with sympathy. An awkward laugh escaped him. "I was in the dark about this whole thing.

That Ruby is an awful woman."

Brenda's stern eyes finally softened, and she declared, “Enough of this! Have the chef whip up something special for dinner."

"I'm on it." Richard hurried to the kitchen.

Lilah's lips quirked up, barely hiding her amusement. She wondered why the old man's entrance always felt Like a scene out of a sitcom.

Meanwhile, Jerrold settled down beside Lilah, studying her facial features intently. It was true. The resemblance was uncanny. This was his mom. The universe had a funny way of connecting dots.

"Would it be alright if I call you Mom?" Jerrold's voice trembled slightly, laden with hope and uncertainty.

Lilah felt a pang in her chest, her emotions threatening to spill over. She cradled Jerrold close, brushing a strand of his hair away.

"Absolutely, sweetheart. I'm your mom."

Overwhelmed, Jerrold clung to her, his voice filled with pure, childlike wonder, "Mom."

With eyes glistening, Lilah tightened her embrace. "My brave boy."

The moment was heavy with emotions, feelings she never imagined she'd get to experience. The thought of her supposedly dead child being alive was a lot to take in, and she felt Ruby held the missing puzzle piece.

As the two shared their bond, the onlookers were visibly moved.

Gerard stepped closer, drawing Lilah into the shelter of his arm, while Brenda, ever the memory keeper, snapped a photo on her phone.

The fragmented family picture finally felt whole.

The evening wore on, and post-dinner, Gerard invited Lilah for a moonlit walk through the sprawling mansion grounds. The silence between them was comfortable, but also full of unspoken questions.

Reading the uncertainty in her eyes, Gerard began, “My mom got the test done at a top-tier lab; they're the best in the business. About that night, was it at the Horizon Hotel?"

Recognition flared in Lilah's eyes. "You knew about the hotel? Were you there?"

A small chuckle escaped Gerard's lips. "It's a bit hazy, thanks to the drinks. But yeah, I never imagined it was you."