Chapter 11 - Adrian’s Paternity Scheme Was Legally Weaker Than He Thought
Adrian believed genetics gave him leverage.
The law was more complicated.
Mara and Adrian were married.
The pregnancy resulted from assisted reproduction.
Adrian had participated in treatment.
He had signed clinic documents.
He had represented himself as the intended father.
He had attended appointments.
He had publicly claimed the child.
Even if donor sperm had been used, that did not automatically mean Adrian could later disclaim legal parenthood whenever convenient.
In fact, his secret participation in arranging the donor could make his position worse.
Mara’s attorney explained:
“He seems to have confused genetic paternity with legal parentage.”
Mara almost laughed.
“So his big plan was stupid?”
“Legally? Parts of it.”
“Then why do all this?”
“Because litigation strategy doesn’t always need to win. Sometimes people use uncertainty to pressure settlement.”
That was Adrian.
He did not need a perfect claim.
He needed Mara frightened by scandal.
Imagine the headlines within her family circle:
Bellini heiress pregnant by another man.
Imagine Adrian leaking partial DNA results.
Imagine Sienna supporting his accusation.
Mara might pay millions simply to make the mess disappear.
Except the clinic records reversed everything.
They showed that Adrian created the very genetic fact he planned to use against her.
The deception did not prove Mara betrayed him.
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It proved he betrayed Mara.
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