Pregnant Woman Faints in Court — Mistress Smiles Until the Judge Reads the DNA Test
The Clark County Courthouse in Las Vegas, Nevada, buzzed with whispers that Tuesday morning. Reporters lined the hallway, cameras ready, waiting for the scandal that had shaken the wealthy Merrick family to unfold.
At the center of the storm stood Emily Carter, a 32-year-old teacher known for her kindness, now six months pregnant and fighting to keep her dignity intact. Her husband, Jonathan Merrick, heir to the Merrick real-estate empire, sat coldly three tables away with his attorney.
And next to him, dressed in a crimson dress that drew every eye, sat Lana Pierce—the mistress.
Lana crossed her legs slowly and smiled at Emily with triumph, as though the courtroom were a stage and she’d already won.
Everyone thought they knew what this hearing was about: Jonathan was trying to prove that Emily’s unborn baby wasn’t his. Lana had told him that Emily cheated. Lana had even claimed she herself might be carrying Jonathan’s child.
It was chaos. It was humiliation. And Emily had endured it all quietly—until today.
The Hearing Begins
Judge Caroline Hayes, known for her strictness, entered the room, and everyone rose.
“Please be seated,” she said. “We are here to determine paternity matters and resolve the ongoing dispute in Merrick v. Merrick.”
Jonathan’s attorney stood. “Your Honor, we request the court acknowledge that Mr. Merrick has reason to believe the child is not his—”
Lana leaned toward Jonathan, whispering just loud enough:
“Soon you’ll finally be free.”
Emily felt her heart crack. Jonathan didn’t even look at her.
Her attorney, Michael Reed, rose calmly. “Your Honor, before any assumptions are made, we ask the court to review the completed DNA reports.”
A murmur rippled through the courtroom. Everyone leaned forward.
Judge Hayes lifted two sealed envelopes—the results of two separate DNA tests.
One for Emily’s unborn child.
One for Lana’s.
Lana smiled confidently. Emily clutched her stomach, breathing slowly.
The First Result
Judge Hayes opened the first envelope—the one concerning Emily’s baby.
“As of the test conducted at Nevada Genetic Diagnostics,” she said, “the probability that Mr. Jonathan Merrick is the biological father of Mrs. Emily Carter-Merrick’s unborn child is—”
Emily’s vision blurred. She had been so stressed, so exhausted, so overwhelmed—
The judge’s voice echoed faintly.
“—99.9%.”
The courtroom erupted.
Jonathan’s mouth fell open.
Lana’s smile froze.
But Emily? Emily swayed, her breath catching. Relief hit her so hard her knees buckled.
“Emily!” her attorney shouted, rushing toward her.
Emily collapsed, fainting just as Judge Hayes called for medical assistance. Paramedics in the building hurried in to help, checking Emily’s vitals.
“She’s okay,” one medic said softly. “Just stress and exhaustion.”
As they helped Emily sit up, Judge Hayes waited patiently, then continued.
“Mrs. Merrick, if you are well enough, we need to proceed.”
Emily nodded weakly.
Lana, meanwhile, crossed her arms—but her eyes showed something close to fear.
The Second Envelope
Judge Hayes opened the second DNA report.
“This concerns Ms. Lana Pierce’s claim,” the judge said, adjusting her glasses. “She stated to both Mr. Merrick and this court that he may be the father of her unborn child.”
Jonathan straightened, as though believing Lana would be his escape.
Lana smoothed her hair, chin lifted.
Judge Hayes exhaled slowly.
“The DNA test shows a 0% probability that Mr. Merrick is the father of Ms. Pierce’s child.”
Silence.
Then—
“What?” Jonathan shouted, rising to his feet.
“That’s impossible!” Lana snapped, her voice cracking.
Emily stared, stunned—but then her attorney whispered, “She lied, Emily. She tried to trap him.”
Judge Hayes wasn’t finished.
“The father is identified as Ryan Atwood, a bartender at the Mirage Hotel. His signature is on the paternity acknowledgment attached to this report.”
Lana’s face drained of color.
Gasps and whispers filled the room.
Jonathan stared at Lana as if seeing her for the first time.
“You lied to me,” he said, stepping back.
“You lied about everything.”
Lana opened her mouth, but no words came.
The Final Blow
Judge Hayes tapped her gavel. “Given the findings, Mr. Merrick’s accusations against his wife are dismissed. Furthermore, due to Ms. Pierce’s attempt to knowingly mislead the court, I am ordering a separate inquiry into potential fraud.”
Lana’s eyes widened with panic.
Emily sat up straighter, strength returning. Her hand rested gently on her belly—on her real, proven, wanted child.
Jonathan turned toward Emily, ashamed, reaching for her.
“Emily… I—I didn’t know. Lana said—”
Emily looked at him with a calmness that shocked even herself.
“You believed everyone but me.”
Jonathan swallowed hard. “Can we fix this?”
Emily stood, steady and resolute.
“No,” she said softly. “But I’ll raise our child with love. That’s all that matters.”
She walked out of the courtroom with dignity restored, her attorney beside her.
Behind her, Lana argued desperately with officers, and Jonathan stood alone, realizing he had lost everything—because he trusted the wrong person.
Outside the courthouse, the sun shone brightly over Las Vegas. Emily inhaled deeply, feeling—for the first time in months—free.
Her baby kicked gently.
A new chapter had begun.