Your son isnt mine, he announced after fifteen years of marriage, spreading the DNA report across the kitchen table.
Again youre defending him! As if he cant answer for his own actions! Emma snapped, her voice sharp as steel. James is only fifteen, hes still a child. They were playing in a group, broke a window. Its not the end of the world.
Child? Daniel scoffed. At fifteen I was already earning a bit during the summer, helping my dad. And he? Hes hanging out with his mates, hurling glass! This isnt the first time hes landed in trouble.
Listen, Emma took a deep breath, holding back irritation. James does well at school, he swims. Yes, today they behaved foolishly, but
Another but! You always have an excuse for his mischief. And you know whats odd? Daniel moved closer, lowering his voice. His behaviour doesnt match what we were taught in my family. We respected elders, never acted like this.
What does your family have to do with it, Dan? Emma shook her head. Times have changed.
Its not the times, Daniel said, turning toward the window. Its the blood.
Emma stared, confused, but before she could press further the front door slammed and James burst intall, thin, messy brown hair, gray eyes that mirrored his mothers.
Hey, he muttered, flinging his backpack onto the floor.
Dont ever throw your things at me again, Daniel warned.
James rolled his eyes. Come on, Dad, its just a backpack.
Its not just a backpack, its your attitudeto the things, to the house, to the rules, Daniel clenched his fists. We got a call from Mr. Collins parents about the broken window at school.
James glanced at his mother. We were just playing ball in the yard. The window got hit by accident.
Accident? Daniel grunted. And it was the headmasters office window?
How was I supposed to know it was the headmasters office?
If you had known, would you have aimed elsewhere? Daniels tone was bitter.
Dan, thats enough, Emma interjected. James, dinners on the stove. Eat and get ready for your homework.
James nodded gratefully, grabbed his backpack and headed to the kitchen, while Daniel watched him go with a hard stare.
Dont you think youre being too hard on him? Emma asked as James disappeared through the hallway.
And dont you think youre spoiling him? Daniel retorted. No surprise there.
What do you mean?
Nothing. Forget it, he waved his hand and left the room.
Emma stood alone in the living room, a cold shiver running down her spine. Lately Daniel had become unusually irritable, nitpicking James over the smallest things. Their marriage had always been a rough roadDaniel accused her of being too soft, she complained he was too demanding. In recent months a new edge had appeared in his accusations, as if a hidden hurt or suspicion lay beneath.
The evening stretched in tense silence. James locked himself in his room, Daniel stayed in his study, and Emma tried to read, her thoughts tangled. Daniels odd remark about blood kept nagging at her.
Later, lying beside Daniel in the dark, she whispered, Whats happening between you and James? Why are you reacting so sharply to his actions?
Daniel stayed silent long enough for Emma to assume he was asleep. Then he turned and spoke softly, I just want him to grow into a real manresponsible, not like.
Like who? she asked.
It doesnt matter. Sleep, he said, turning his face to the wall.
Morning brought no relief. At breakfast everyone was quiet. James ate quickly and left for school without his usual fatherly lecture. Daniel stared at his phone, eyes never leaving the screen.
Ill be late today, he said, finishing his coffee. Meeting with clients.
Alright, Emma replied. Ill sort something for dinner.
No need, he got up. I dont know when Ill be back.
The day dragged. Emma worked from home, translating articles for a scientific journal. Normally the work consumed her, but today she couldnt focus. Daniels blood comment, his strange behaviour, the widening gap between him and Jamesall swirled in her mind.
James returned from school in good spirits, saying hed made peace with the headmaster and apologized for the window.
Weve decided to work a few weekends to pay for the glass, he told her while chopping vegetables for a salad.
Thats a good idea, Emma smiled. Dad will be pleased.
James snorted, I doubt it. Hes never happy with anything I do.
Dont say that, Emma patted his back. Hes just worried about you, wants you to become a decent person.
A decent person like him? James voice trembled with hurt. Someone who comes home and immediately starts criticizing everyone?
James, dont speak like that about your father, Emma warned.
Sorry, he muttered, lowering his head. It just feels like he never loved me. Never did.
Emmas heart ached. She embraced him. Thats not true. He loves you, he just doesnt always know how to show it.
James shrugged, If you say so
Daniel never came for dinner, nor did he return by ten. Emma called several times, but his phone was unreachablea rarity, as he always called to say hed be late.
James went to bed while Emma sat at the kitchen table with a cooling cup of tea. At last the lock clicked and Daniel stepped in, his gait uneven. She instantly knew hed been drinking.
Where have you been? I was worried, she said, moving toward him.
Daniel looked at her with a cold, evaluating stare. Worried? Seriously?
Of course I was. You didnt answer my calls, you didnt say where you were
Fifteen years, he interrupted, swaying slightly. Fifteen years Ive been a decent husband, working, providing, never asking questions. And you
What about me? Emmas voice grew icy.
Whats that supposed to mean? Daniel snapped, his eyes narrowing. He sat heavily on a chair. I always thought we had a good family. Not perfect, but real. I trusted you.
You still can trust me, Emma said quietly. Ive never lied to you.
Daniel forced a bitter grin, pulling a folded sheet of paper from his pocket. Truth? Whats this?
Whats this?
DNA test results. He spread the paper on the table. Your son isnt mine, Emma. Fifteen years youve been leading me on.
Emma felt the floor give way beneath her. She grabbed the edge of the table to stay upright.
What? Which test? When did you
A week ago, he said, smirking. I told James we should get tests just in case. He believed me. Today the results came.
Emmas hands shook as she took the sheet. The medical jargon blurred, but the main line was clear: Paternity excluded.
This cant be right, she whispered. There must be a mistake.
A mistake? Daniel laughed, but there was no humor. Whos the father then, Emma?
Youre the father, Emma said firmly. Youre my husband. I never
I thought I knew, he shook his head. Fifteen years all this time Ive been raising someone elses child.
Emma stared at him in horror. Daniel, this must be an error. Maybe the lab mixed up samples, or
Or what? he leaned forward. Or you had a fling before we married? Or during? When you cheated, Emma?
Never! she shouted, tears welling. Ive only ever loved you.
Then explain this result! Daniel slammed his palm on the paper. Explain why the DNA says Im not Jamess father!
Their voices were cut short as James appeared in the doorway, hair disheveled from sleep, wearing a tshirt and shorts, eyes wide with confusion.
Nothing, love, Emma hurriedly said. Just an adult conversation. Go back to bed.
Dad, James echoed, whats this about?
What? Daniel asked, startled.
Dont say it in front of him, Emma pleaded. Not now.
Its his right to know, Daniel said, standing unsteadily. You have a right to know, James. Do you want to know why Ive always been strict? Because, deep down, I felt you werent my blood.
Dad, youre drunk, James whispered, stepping back toward the door.
Im not your dad! Daniel shouted, sweeping the cup off the table. Look! He thrust the DNA sheet at James. Fifteen years of lies, proven by science.
James scanned the paper, his face paling. Is this true? he asked his mother. Im not?
No! Emma lunged, hugging him. Its a mistake, James. Some terrible mistake.
Do you work in a lab? Daniel asked bitterly. What makes you so sure its an error?
Because I know, Emma said firmly. I never cheated. I had no other man before you. You know that.
James pulled away, anger flashing. Then who is my real father?
Silence fell heavy. Daniel sank back into his chair, his anger evaporating. Emma pressed her hands to her mouth, fighting back sobs.
I want the truth, James said quietly. All of it.
Emma nodded slowly. You deserve that. It will be painful, but you should know.
Whats painful about it? Daniel sneered. Just tell me the name of the real father.
Its not about that, Emma inhaled deeply. James, remember I mentioned my sister, Nora?
The one who died before I was born? James nodded. In that car crash?
Yes. Emma sat down. Nora was my twin. We looked alike, but our personalities were opposite. She was bold, adventurous, always getting into scrapes. I was the quieter, homebound one.
Daniel frowned. What does that have to do with anything?
Because, Emma met his eyes, Nora was pregnant when the crash happened. She was seven months along. Doctors saved the babya boy.
The kitchen seemed to hold its breath.
What? Daniel whispered. Youre saying
James is Noras son, Emma said softly. We had just started seeing each other when it happened. Noras boyfriend vanished after learning about the pregnancy. She died in the crash, leaving the baby with my elderly parents, who were devastated. I decided to raise him as my own.
So thats why you rushed into marriage, Daniel muttered. I thought you were crazy about me.
I was crazy about you, Emma pleaded. I loved you and hoped youd accept the child.
You never told me he wasnt mine! Daniel slammed his fist on the table. You made me believe I was his father!
I wanted to tell you, tears streamed down Emmas cheeks. I was terrified youd walk away. Then I feared youd hate me. And then it was too late. Youd already bonded with James.
Then youre not my mother? James asked, voice trembling.
No, technically Im his aunt, Emma replied. But I raised him, loved him every day of his life. Hes always been my son.
What about my real mother? Nora? James asked.
She was beautiful, brave, talented. You share her eyes, her laugh. When you laugh, I hear her.
And my real father? James pressed.
I dont know, Emma admitted. Nora never spoke of him. All I know is he ran away when he learned about the baby.
Daniel covered his face with his hands. Fifteen years why didnt you say anything?
I was scared, Emma whispered. Scared of losing you. Then I thought the truth would destroy everything. You loved James, you were his father in every way that mattered. Does it matter whose blood runs through his veins?
The difference is trust, Emma, Daniel said, lifting his head. The truth. You made a decision for me. You didnt give me a choice.
Im sorry, she said, kneeling. I still love you. I love James more than life itself.
Daniel stared at her for a long moment, then looked at James.
What do you feel? he asked.
James shrugged. I dont know. Its all weird, like Ive become someone else.
Youre not someone else, Emma said firmly. Youre still James. You just know a little more about where you come from.
Do you have photos of my real mother? James asked suddenly.
Yes, Emma nodded. A whole album. Ill show you everything I remember.
Daniel stood, pacing. I need to be alone. Think.
Dan, Emma rose, I understand how you feel. But please dont make any rash decisions. Were still a family. Fifteen years we were a family.
A family built on a lie, he said bitterly. You deceived me all this time.
Yes, I deceived you, she agreed. And Im guilty. But I loved James and raised him as my own. You loved him as your own. Isnt that real? Isnt love more important than biology?
Daniel stared at Emma, then at James. You know whats ironic? I ordered the test because I kept noticing James didnt look like me, neither in looks nor in temperament. I was angry at him, thinking he refused to be like me. Turns out
I could never be like you, James finished softly. Genetics.
Its not about genetics, Daniel said suddenly, his tone softening. I was wrong, too. Fifteen years I taught you to ride a bike, helped with homework, drove you to training. I loved you. My anger was really at myself, because I felt something was off and couldnt place it.
What now? James asked. What will happen?
Daniel sighed deeply. I dont know. Honestly, I need time to sort this out.
Emma, Im sorry for what I did, he said, turning to her. But dont leave. Lets try to talk when the heat passes.
Emma nodded. Well talk later. But remember, Ive always loved you.
Daniel nodded, then paused at the doorway. James, whatever happens between me and your Emma know this: those fifteen years were real. I was your father then, and in some sense I always will be.
When the door shut, Emma and James stood in the kitchen, unsure where to look.
Do you hate me? Emma asked quietly.
James met her gazegray like Noras, like Emmas. No. I dont know. Its all tangled.
Yes, its tangled, she agreed. But one thing Im certain of: I love you, James. From the moment I saw you, a tiny, helpless baby in the hospital, I loved you. You were my sisters son, but to me you were always my son. That will never change.
Will dad come back? James asked.
I dont know. Hes a good man, James. Hes hurting now.
Im hurting too, James admitted. It feels like Ive become someone else.
Youre still you, Emma whispered, touching his shoulder. You just know a little more about your story. It doesnt change who you are.
James nodded, then embraced her. Thank you for never sending me away, for raising me as yours.
Emma held him close, tears spilling over. You are my son, always.
That night none of them slept. They sat at the kitchen table, sifting through old photo albums. Emma showed pictures of two girls who could have been twinsherself and Nora. She was a brilliant painter, Emma said, smoothing a faded photograph. She dreamed of moving to the big city, becoming famous. I was the homebody, dreaming of a family.
And she got both? James whispered.
Yes, she smiled through tears. She got the fame of a beautiful childme.
The next morning, after a sleepless night, there was a knock at the door. Daniel stood there, unshaven, eyes reddened but sober.
May I come in? he asked.
Emma stepped aside. Daniel entered, finding James leafing through the old pictures.
I see youve had a long night, Daniel said, sitting opposite them.
Looks like I have, Emma replied.
Daniel nodded. Ive walked the streets till dawn, thinking, fuming, trying to decide what to do.
And? Emma asked, bracing herself.
And Ive realised nothing has changed, he said, looking at James. Youve been my son for fifteen years, and youll remain my son, no matter what the DNA says.
James looked at him, doubtful. Really?
Really, Daniel smiled faintly. I was angry not because you arent my biological son, but because I felt cheated, robbed of a choice. Then I realised the choice I made fifteen years agoto love you, the helpless little boywas the real choice. Changing it now would betray both you and Emma.
He turned to Emma. Im still angry at you. I dont know if I can fully forgive, but I want to try. For James, for the fifteen years that were real, despite everything.
Emma covered her face with her hands, unable to stop the sobbing.
Thank you, she whispered. I dont deserve this.
Its not for me, Daniel replied firmly. Its for our family. For James. For everything we built, even if it started oddly.
James watched them both, unsure what to say. Then, softly, Im glad youre my dad, even if not by blood.
Daniels smile widened, the first genuine smile inIn the end, they learned that family is forged by love and commitment, not by the strands of DNA alone.
