Chapter 11:A Forgotten Warning

As I sat in my office, staring blankly at the papers on my desk, Dave walked in and cleared his throat to get my attention.

"Hey, Jonathan, can I talk to you for a minute?" he asked, his voice low.

I nodded, and Dave sat down in the chair across from me.

"Jonathan, I know you're caught up in the whole wedding planning thing, but I have to remind you of something," Dave said, his expression serious. "You never did get that genotype test done, did you?"

I felt a pang of guilt, remembering the promise I had made to Dave months ago. "No, I didn't," I admitted. "With everything that's been going on, it slipped my mind."

Dave's expression turned serious. "Jonathan, you can't forget about this. You have to know what you're getting yourself into. Mel's family history...it's not good."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I remembered the rumors about Mel's family. The rumors of genetic disorders, of inherited diseases and why she suddenly fainted and fell of the stairs.

"Dave, I know. But what's the point now? I'm engaged to her. I'm committed."

Dave's eyes locked onto mine, his expression intense. "The point is, Jonathan, you have to think about your future, about your children. You have to know what you're up against."

I nodded, feeling a sense of determination wash over me. Dave was right. I had to know the truth, no matter how difficult it might be.

"I'll do it, Dave," I promised. "I'll get the test done, and I'll face whatever the consequences are."

Dave nodded, his expression serious. "That's the spirit, Jonathan. Don't forget, knowledge is power. You need to know what you're dealing with."

I took a deep breath as I walked into the living room, where Mel was sitting on the couch, flipping through a magazine. I knew this conversation wasn't going to be easy.

"Mel, we need to talk," I said, trying to sound calm.

Mel looked up, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "What's up, baby?"

I hesitated, trying to find the right words. "I've been thinking...I think we should get a genotype test done."

Mel's expression changed, her eyes narrowing slightly. "What's that supposed to do?" she asked, her voice neutral.

I took another deep breath. "It's just a precaution, Mel. To see if we're genetically compatible. If we have any...risks."

Mel's expression turned cold, her eyes flashing with anger. "You're talking about genetic disorders, aren't you?" she spat. "You're worried that our kids will be defective or something."

I felt a surge of frustration. "Mel, that's not what I'm saying. I just want to be prepared, to know what we're up against."

Mel stood up, her eyes blazing with anger. "I don't need some test to tell me that I'm healthy, Jonathan. And I don't need you questioning my genetic makeup."

I felt a chill run down my spine. Mel's reaction was not what I had expected.

"Mel, please understand..." I started.

But Mel cut me off, her voice cold. "No, Jonathan. I won't do it. And if you're really that concerned, then maybe we shouldn't be having kids at all."

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. Was Mel seriously suggesting that we not have kids because of a genotype test?

"Mel, that's not fair," I said, trying to keep my cool. "We need to discuss this, to figure out what's best for us."

But Mel just turned and walked away, leaving me standing alone in the living room, feeling frustrated and uncertain.

Mel sat in her car, parked outside a small medical clinic on the outskirts of town. She had been here for weeks, secretly undergoing genetic testing without Jonathan's knowledge.

She couldn't let him know about her plans. Not yet. She had to be sure.

The doctor came out, a friendly smile on his face. "Mel, the results are in."

Mel's heart skipped a beat as she took the paper from the doctor's hand. She scanned the page, her eyes widening as she saw the results.

Her genotype was not what she had expected.

But Mel was a quick thinker. She knew what she had to do.

She took out her phone and snapped a photo of the paper, then quickly edited the image to change her genotype to AA.

She smiled to herself, feeling a sense of satisfaction. Now, she and Jonathan were genetically compatible.

Mel drove home, feeling confident. She would show Jonathan the fake test results, and he would never suspect a thing.

As she walked into the house, Jonathan looked up from his book. "Hey, where have you been?" he asked.

Mel smiled, holding out the fake test results. "I went to get my genotype test done," she said, trying to sound casual.

Jonathan's eyes widened as he took the paper from her hand. "You did?" he asked, scanning the page.

Mel nodded, trying to keep a straight face. "Yeah, I figured it was better to be safe than sorry."

Jonathan looked up, a smile on his face. "Well, it looks like we're compatible," he said, relief written all over his face.

Mel smiled back, feeling a pang of guilt. But she pushed it aside, telling herself that it was necessary.

After all, she would do anything to keep Jonathan.

Days later Mel went back into the doctor's office, a nervous energy coursing through her veins. She had been thinking about this moment nonstop since she had faked the genotype test results.

"Doctor, I need to talk to you about something," Mel said, her voice low and urgent.

The doctor looked up from his desk, a curious expression on his face. "What is it, Mel?"

Mel hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "I need you to...alter my medical records."

The doctor's expression changed, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What do you mean?"

Mel took a deep breath. "I need you to change my genotype to Aa. If anyone comes asking, I need you to confirm that."

The doctor's face went pale, and he leaned back in his chair. "Mel, I don't know if I can do that. It's unethical."

Mel pulled out a stack of cash from her purse and slid it across the desk. "I'm willing to pay top dollar for your discretion, Doctor."

The doctor's eyes widened as he stared at the cash, and for a moment, Mel thought she saw a glimmer of temptation.

Finally, the doctor spoke up, his voice barely above a whisper. "Okay, Mel. I'll do it. But you have to promise me one thing."

Mel's heart skipped a beat as she waited for the doctor's condition.

"You have to promise me that you'll never come back here again," the doctor said, his eyes cold and hard.

Mel nodded, a sense of relief washing over her. "I promise."

The doctor nodded, and Mel watched as he altered her medical records, changing her genotype to AA.

As she left the doctor's office, Mel felt a sense of security wash over her. She had covered her tracks, and no one would ever suspect a thing.

But as she walked back to her car, Mel couldn't shake off the feeling that she was living a lie, and that someday, the truth would come back to haunt her.