“What does that mean?” she asked.
Gloria answered as if she were explaining a bank form.
“It means a DNA test, just to confirm Spencer is your biological father before any inheritance is distributed.”
Spencer’s chair moved slightly beside me.
Jeremy stopped smiling.
Even Monica looked uncomfortable.
I stared at Gloria, waiting for the sentence that would turn what she had said into something less ugly.
It never came.
“You want my daughter to take a paternity test?” I said.
Gloria gave a tiny shrug.
“I want everything documented properly.”
Gemma looked from Gloria to Spencer.
The money was no longer the biggest thing in the room.
The accusation was.
Gemma stayed completely still for several seconds.
Then she asked, “Why would I need to prove Dad is my dad?”
Gloria gave her a thin smile.
“Inheritance changes things. When money is involved, certainty is better for everyone.”
Gemma looked across the table at Sky.
“Is Sky taking one?”
Skye’s mouth opened, but Gloria answered first.
“There’s no reason for that.”
Gemma’s face changed.
“Why not?”
“Because nobody has questioned her place in the family.”
“Nobody questioned mine until you just did.”
Monica shifted in her chair.
Jeremy looked at his mother.
Bruce still hadn’t said a word.
Gemma pressed again.
“So, what exactly are you saying?”
Gloria exhaled, annoyed now that Gemma wasn’t accepting the polished version.
“I’m saying we should be careful. Your mother can’t exactly be trusted.”
Gemma turned toward me so slowly it hurt to watch.
I didn’t need to ask what she had heard.
Gloria hadn’t merely questioned paperwork.
She had told my child in front of the whole family that there was a chance I had lied to her father about who she was.
“Grandma,” Gemma said, “are you saying Mom cheated on Dad?”
Gloria lifted one shoulder.
“I’m saying I don’t know everything that happened 17 years ago.”
That was when Spencer stood up.
“My daughter asked you a question,” Spencer said. “She asked what you’re accusing Nah of.”
Gloria’s face tightened.
“Sit down, Spencer.”
“No.”
His voice wasn’t loud.
That made everyone pay more attention.
“Nah is my wife. Gemma is my daughter. You don’t get to imply she isn’t because an inheritance appeared.”
Gloria tried to wave him off.
“This isn’t personal.”
“You just told my daughter her mother can’t be trusted. Explain how that isn’t personal.”
Bruce finally spoke.
“Spencer, nobody is trying to start a fight.”
Spencer looked at him.
“Then someone should have stopped this before we got here.”
Jeremy murmured, “He’s got a point.”
Gloria ignored him.
“It’s simply a precaution.”
Spencer pointed toward Sky.
“Then why is Gemma the only precaution?”
Monica’s expression hardened.
“Don’t bring Sky into this.”
“I’m not. Mom did the second she decided one great grandchild gets automatic membership and the other has to prove it.”
Gloria said, “Everyone knew Jeremy was Skye’s father.”
Spencer answered immediately.