Mum asked me to do a paternity test, and I went along with it, even though I never once doubted that Blythe was my little girl.
My name is Victor Bennett, thirtyseven and, despite having ticked every box on my personal bingo card, I was still missing one piece a family of my own. Since my dad kicked the bucket six years ago, Ive been sharing a twobedroom flat in Manchester with my mother, Eleanor. I didnt want to let her down, so I earned a decent degree, landed a solid job in finance, and checked all the boxes shed set for me. She was practically drooling at the thought of me announcing Id found the one, so she could finally start bragging about her future grandchildren.
Enter Rowena Hart, a girl from a nearby village who was still hitting the books at university when we met. Her family wasnt rolling in the dough, but that never bothered me. Mum, however, wasnt a fan. She muttered that Rowena wasnt right for me, but for the first time I followed my heart and started seeing her. A few months later I brought her home, announced we were moving in together and that she was expecting my child. Eleanor, ever the sceptic, thought Rowena was just pulling a fast one to snag a free place in the city.
Despite Mums objections, Rowena moved in and Eleanor tolerated her with all the enthusiasm of a cat at a bath. Over time, though, Rowena proved herself a brilliant housekeeper, and Mums initial frown began to soften, even if she kept looking for an excuse to stir up trouble.
Then Blythe arrived, a tiny bundle of giggles named after my grandmother. Mum again demanded a paternity test, and I obliged, though I was certain the result would read Victor is the father. The lab confirmed it, but Mum still refused to accept Rowena as part of the family. She even suggested I split up with Rowena and hand the baby over to her.
That was the last straw. I packed my things, took Rowena and Blythe, and left Mums flat for good. Since then Ive kept contact with Eleanor to a bare minimum, convinced shes selfish and blind to my feelings. Its a shame she never managed to welcome Rowena into the family, but Im not about to make peace with that attitude.
