The fluorescent lights hummed overhead in the quiet clinic. David Carter approached the reception desk, clipboard in hand, his worn plaid shirt and work boots contrasting with the sterile environment.
The receptionist gave him a once-over.
“Sir, results take six to eight weeks, and our fees aren’t cheap, just so you know.”
He nodded politely and completed the forms.
When she reviewed the emergency contact section, her eyes widened. The name matched her own records — the father she had never known.
David looked at her gently.
“I grew up without a father. Just wanna know if I have any family left.”
Her professional mask cracked. The man standing in front of her was her half-brother, searching for the same answers she once had. The papers trembled in her hands as the realization settled between them.