Page 78 of Repluse

Ms Barton re-enters the room, and obviously anticipating Scott’s reaction, she’s followed by four security guards.

“I think it’s in everyone’s interest that you wait outside for the rest of these proceedings, Mr Walsh, don’t you?”

Scott stands, and flanked by the four guards, leaves the room.

“Mr Walsh, as your father is no longer available to explain, I will. Zachary Porter is your brother.”

Logan’s frown deepens.

I hold my breath and wait for the blow.

“He’s also Mila Grace’s brother.”

Logan’s face does this weird, scrunched up thing. His frown draws in lower, his nose crinkles, and his lips twist up. It’s as if his features are folding in on themselves, trying to escape what’s being presented before them.

“I don’t… How? I’m not related to Mila. How? This doesn’t make sense.” Logan’s face and neck turn from pink to red to purple as he demands answers.

I draw in a deep breath through my nose and let it out slowly through my mouth as I enjoy every single moment of his discomfort.

“Thirty-four years ago,” Giulia explains, “Sofia Grace was working as a cleaner at your family home. On the evening of May seventh, she presented herself at the Yirabang community hospital in a state of shock, bleeding, her clothes torn. Police were called, a rape kit presented, and tests carried out, as well as a statement taken. That night, Sofia was released fromthe hospital and not seen in Yirabang again, leaving behind her four young children—Mila being the youngest at just three months old. All evidence of the rape allegation oddly disappeared… until a recent investigation uncovered evidence of serious misconduct, failure to investigate properly, failure to record evidence, and failure to interview witnesses. Thankfully, the evidence gathered from Sofia Grace’s rape kit analysis was recorded, even if there was no follow up investigation. We’ve compared that analysis with Mr Zachary Porter’s DNA, the statement given by Sofia that night, which has also been found buried amongst many others, and samples of both yours and Mila’s DNA. Everything points to Zach being the biological child of Scott Walsh and Sofia Grace. A result of the rape of Sofia by Scott. It’s also recently come to light that Sofia left a letter for her children explaining all of this, and the fact she was collected from the hospital by Scott, driven to Melbourne, and threatened with the painful death of each of her children if she were to ever return to Yirabang.”

That’s when I cry. My poor mum. What this family has put mine through is unforgivable: the unimaginable grief and trauma my mum must have felt, how helpless and vulnerable she’d have been when she found out she was pregnant, and how fucking brave she was to continue the pregnancy.

In the space of two hours this morning, everything I thought I knew about my beautiful mum has been flipped on its head. First, Sam and Frankie explained what Frankie’s investigators had discovered, that I shared a brother with Logan, and how that came about. Then I opened the tin my mum had left, and there was a letter inside, explaining everything in more detail, along with a lock of Zach’s hair, and the name of the social worker who handled the adoption.

Of course, Frankie’s team had already found him, and thankfully discovered he always knew he was adopted. Despitealready knowing the details surrounding the circumstances of his conception, he was still happy to come here to take part in the investigation into his biological mum’s rape.

Logan’s hand is covering his mouth as he looks from me to Zach and Giulia, who are now seated next to each other.

“Ms Conti,” Jaimeson starts to speak, but Logan cuts him off.

“So, what? What is it exactly you want from me? What are you planning to do with this evidence? You want money, boy? Because that ain’t fucking happening, I’ll give it away before I give one of my father’s bastards what’s rightfully mine.”

Typical Logan. All he’s worried about right now is the family’s name and reputation, and how much all of this is going to cost him.

“Mr Walsh, what Mr Porter is or isn’t entitled to is for the courts to decide, not you, and right now, him, your family, and your business are all in a very precarious position. Currently, the investigations into your father and the Yira Police Department have all been carried out by a private investigations company.”

“You.” Logan interrupts and snarls in Frankie’s direction. “You’ve paid for all of this—the investigation. This is all your work.” Logan thrusts his pointer finger through the air towards the legal team.

Frankie shrugs.

I turn towards him, give my own shrug, and say, “Oops.”

“Big oops,” Frankie replies with a grin.

“You’ll pay. You fucking dog. Mark my words. You. Will. Fucking…”

“Mr Walsh, are you threatening my client?” Giulia asks.

Logan throws himself back into his chair.

“And you…” His eyes narrow on me. “So, what? You’re withhimnow?” He sneers and shakes his head as he lets out a loud snort.

Taking a moment to enjoy his rage and discomfort, I draw in a long breath through my nose before letting it out slowly. “No,” I say with a shake of my head. “I’m withbothof them.”

Logan’s head jerks back, and he frowns. “What?”

“I’m with both of them. The three of us. Together. You’re not the only one who likes group sex.”

---