Never Judge

Cedric could see as his assistant froze next to Marisa.

He nodded at Marisa's words.

What happened next surprised everyone who hadn't known Marisa in the past.

She turned and faced Mae.

"In Fernando's last two letters, he told me he met both of our children." Marisa said as she struggled not to tear up. "He told me that he had found both, one going by the name of Mien, and the other kept her name, Mae."

"I don't know -" Mae began to say, but she stopped abruptly as Marisa shook her head.

"I know you aren't sure if you are mine and Fernando's daughter, and even I don't want to get my hopes up." Marisa explained. "There have been so many times where I thought I found my daughter, only to realize it wasn't her."

Mae gave Marisa a slight smile, she was surprised that the older lady who was possibly her mother didn't push her to accept it.

"I have been hurt by false hope so many time." Marisa said as he voice broke. "But I will never give up on finding my daughter. Will you take a DNA test with me?" Marisa asked.

"There is no need." Cedric said from the head of the table.

"What do you mean?" Marisa asked as she glanced at Cedric. "With all due respect, Mr. Reyes, a DNA test is the most definitive way for us to find out if she is my Mae."

Cedric laughed at how brave Marisa was being at this moment. She was different from the shy woman who had arrived earlier.

"I'm sorry about my sister-in-law, Mr. Reyes." Max said with a frown as he glanced at Marisa. "She has the tendency not to care who she is speaking to."

"No, I just find it funny, no harm done." Cedric said as he shook his head.

"Marisa, Mrs. Benitez, the reason why my brother said a DNA test is no longer needed is because we had already conducted one for Mae and Mien, well Mattias as you call him." Ayanna said with a smile.

Cedric had of course updated his sister on everything going on with Mae and Mien.

Marisa's jaw dropped at the news as she looked to her left and right when Mien and Mae were seated. 

"Have. . .Have the results come out?" Marisa asked nervously.

"No, not yet." Mien answered as he held her hand as if trying to comfort his biological mother.

"We're still waiting for the result." Mae explained. "We sent the samples out to Saints Hospital yesterday and we should get the results today or tomorrow."

At the mention of Saints Hospital, Marisa froze.

"Mom?" Mien called out.

"What's wrong?" Mae asked as she looked at Marisa.

"Don't trust them." Marisa said as she shook her head. "They are the reason our family got separated, because Fernando took that job from Miguel Chan. That bastard!" 

"Marisa." Lara said with a gentle tone as she tried to calm her sister-in-law down.

"Don't do that Lara, they are the reason Fernando is dead, the reason Terry is dead!" Marisa shouted. "Terry and Fernando were both in perfect health and yet both of them suddenly dropped dead. Don't you think it's suspicious?"

Everyone remained silent around the table, Cedric couldn't blame her for hating the Chan family. 

"They ruined our lives! The ripped us apart, we haven't seen each other in decades and now that we've all met up two of us are dead!" Marisa shouted as she began to cry. "I've missed Fernando so much. If it weren't for that bastard Miguel Chan, he would be here with his children!"

"Woah, woah lady, I have no idea who you are and yet you are cursing at me." Miguel said with a grin as he walked into the restaurant towards the table. 

It seemed he had rushed straight from the hospital as he was still wearing his lab gown and had his glasses on. Cedric knew for a fact that Miguel preferred wearing contacts when he was not at work. 

"Do you have it?" Cedric asked as Miguel joined them, dragging a seat over.

"Hey! Careful, everything is new!" Ray scolded Miguel.

"Of course I know it's new, dumbass. My wife designed everything here." Miguel said as he rolled his eyes.

Cedric glanced at Marisa who wore a very confused expression on her face.

"I'm assuming my father never brought Miguel's father along when he would visit you guys." Cedric said.

"His father?" Marisa asked as she gave Cedric a curious look.

"She was cursing at your uncle." Cedric told Miguel before turning his attention back to Marisa.

"His father is Raphael Chan, older brother of Miguel Chan. Actually his name is also Miguel Chan." Cedric explained to Marisa.

At the mention of Miguel's relation to the Chan family, Marisa turned pale. 

"Relax, I won't hurt you." Miguel said as he rolled his eyes. "As a matter of fact Miss Marisa, I have the results of a test, I bet you are dying to see."

"That was fast." Cedric pointed out.

"I had it prioritized." Miguel said with a shrug. As he handed Cedric a sealed envelope with the Saints Hospital logo on it.

Cedric looked at it and nodded at his friend, thanking him.

"Mae, this is for you. I think you should be the one to open it." Cedric told his assistant as he handed the sealed envelope to her.

Dave reached out and handed it to Mae.

Cedric could see how her hands shook, she was clearly nervous and afraid.

Dave quickly took Mae's hands in his and held it as he rubbed her hand with his thumbs, trying his best to comfort her.

"Don't be scared, no matter what the results I will always be here for you." Dave said in a low voice as he tried to boost Mae's confidence.

Mae took a deep breath and nodded.

"I haven't seen the results either." Miguel whispered to his friends. "So I'm just as anxious as you guys."

"Shhh!" Ayanna scolded Miguel as Mae slowly opened the envelope and took out the document inside.

Everyone held their breath as Mae read the results of the DNA test.

Her eyes scanned the document several times before she finally looked up towards Miguel's direction. Confusion clearly painted on her face.

"Mae?" Dave asked as he held her hand, trying his best to show that he supported her.

"Dr. Chan." Mae said.

"Yes Mae?" Miguel asked.

"I have no idea what this document says.." Mae admitted making Cedric put his hand on his face out of annoyance.