Your boy isnt mine, David announced after fifteen years of marriage, brandishing a DNA report like a courtroom exhibit.
Here we go again, defending him! As if he cant be held to account for his deeds! Olivia snapped, her voice sharp as steel. Arthur is only fifteen, still a child. He and his mates got carried away, smashed a window. Its not the end of the world.
David slammed his mug onto the table; tea splashed across the tablecloth.
Dont shout, Olivia said softly, though her tone was still edged. Arthur does well at school, goes swimming. Yes, today they were a bit foolish, but
But again! You always have an excuse for his antics. And you know whats astonishing? David leaned in, lowering his voice. His behaviour isnt at all like what we were taught in my family. We respected our elders, never caused such trouble.
Your familys a relic, Dave, Olivia shook her head. Times have changed.
Its not about the times, David turned toward the window, its about the blood.
Olivia blinked, puzzled, but before she could press further the front door slammed and Arthur burst in. He was tall and lanky, his messy chestnut hair sticking up, eyes a perfect match to his mothers.
Hey, he muttered, flinging his backpack onto the floor.
Dont you ever toss things at me again, David warned.
Arthur rolled his eyes. Come off it, Dad, its just a backpack.
Its not just a backpack, its your attitudeto things, to the house, to the rules, David clenched his fists. We just got a call from Mrs. Collins, Arthurs class teacher. She said a window at school was broken.
Arthur gave his mother a quick glance. We were just playing ball in the courtyard and it went off target.
Off target? David grunted. And it happened to be the headmasters office window?
How was I supposed to know it was the headmasters office?
And if you had known, would you have aimed elsewhere? Davids voice turned sour.
David, enough, Olivia interjected. Arthur, dinners on the stove. Eat and get on with your homework.
Arthur nodded, grabbed his backpack, and headed for the kitchen. David watched him go with a heavy stare.
Dont you think youre a bit hard on him? Olivia asked once the door closed.
And dont you think youre spoiling him? David retorted, a hint of a smile. No wonder hes turned out the way he has.
What do you mean?
Never mind. He waved his hand and left the room.
Olivia stood in the living room, a chilly shiver crawling up her spine. Lately David had been particularly irritable, picking at Arthur over the smallest things. Their marriage had always been a tugofwar: David accused Olivia of being too soft, she complained he was too demanding. Lately his accusations had taken on a new, almost grudging tone, as if a hidden resentment had finally surfaced.
Evening stretched in a strained silence. Arthur locked himself in his room, David lingered in his study, Olivia tried to read but her thoughts kept looping back to Davids cryptic remark about blood.
Later, lying beside David in the dark, Olivia whispered, Whats going on between you and Arthur? Why are you reacting so sharply to his mistakes?
David stayed silent long enough for Olivia to assume he was asleep, then turned and said quietly, I just want him to grow into a proper manresponsible, not like
Like who?
Doesnt matter. Sleep now, he muttered, turning his back to the wall.
The next morning the tension remained. Over breakfast everyone ate in silence. Arthur finished quickly and headed off to school, not waiting for the usual fatherly lecture. David stared at his phone, eyes never leaving the screen.
Ill be late today, he said, sipping the last of his coffee. Meeting with clients.
Alright, Olivia replied. Ill sort out dinner.
No need, he rose. Im not sure when Ill be back.
The day crawled. Olivia worked from home, translating articles for a scientific journal. Usually the job consumed her, but today her mind kept replaying Davids blood comment, his odd behaviour, the widening gulf between him and Arthur.
Arthur returned from school in high spirits, explaining that he had patched things up with the headmaster and apologised for the window.
Weve decided to do a bit of odd jobs at the weekend to pay for the glass, he said while helping his mother slice vegetables for a salad.
Good idea, Olivia smiled. Dad will be pleased.
Arthur scoffed, I doubt it. Lately he seems never satisfied with anything I do.
Dont say that, Olivia patted his back. He just worries about you, wants you to become a decent person.
A decent person like him? One who comes home and immediately starts critiquing everyone?
Arthur, dont talk about your father that way, Olivia warned.
Sorry, he muttered, head bowed. Sometimes it feels like he never loved me. Never did.
Olivias heart tightened. She pulled him into a hug. Thats not true. He loves you, he just isnt always good at showing it.
Arthur shrugged, If you say so
David never made it to dinner, nor did he appear by ten. Olivia tried calling repeatedly, but his phone stayed deada rarity, since he usually gave a headsup if hed be late.
Arthur went to bed while Olivia lingered in the kitchen with a cooling cup of tea. The lock clicked, and David stumbled in, clearly under the influence.
Where have you been? I was worried, she said, meeting him at the doorway.
Worried? David raised an eyebrow, amused. Seriously?
Yes, I was worried. You didnt answer, you didnt call
Fifteen years, he began, swaying a little. Fifteen years Ive been the model family manworked, provided, never asked questions. And you
What? Olivia felt a cold knot form.
You know what, David trudged to the kitchen, collapsing into a chair. I always thought we had a good family. Not perfect, but real. I believed in you.
You can still believe that, Olivia said softly. Ive never lied to you.
David pulled a folded sheet of paper from his pocket, a faint grin on his face.
Truth? Whats this?
Its the DNA test results, he spread the paper on the table. Your son isnt mine, Olivia. Fifteen years youve been pulling the wool over my eyes.
Olivias world tipped. She clutched the edge of the table to keep from falling.
What? Which test? When did you
A week ago, he said, smirking. I told Arthur we needed a safety check, he agreed, and today the results came in.
She took the sheet with trembling hands. Medical jargon blurred, but the headline was crystal clear: Paternity excluded.
This cant be right, she whispered. There must be a mistake.
A mistake? David chuckled, though there was no mirth. Whos the father then, Olivia? Whos Arthurs dad?
Youre, she said firmly. Youre his father, David. I never
I thought I knew, he shook his head. Fifteen years. And now it turns out Ive been raising someone elses child.
Olivia stared at him, horrified.
David, this has to be an error. Maybe the lab swapped samples, or
Or what? he leaned forward. Or did you forget about a fling before we married? Did you cheat? Did you? When?
Never! she shouted, tears welling. I loved only you, from the start.
Then explain the test! David slammed his hand on the paper. Explain why DNA says Im not Arthurs dad!
At that moment the kitchen door opened and Arthur, still in his school uniform, appeared, hair a mess, eyes wide.
Nothing, love, Olivia hurried, just an adult conversation. Go back to bed.
Dad, David echoed, just whose?
Arthur stared, baffled.
David, stop, Olivia pleaded. Not in front of him.
Why not? David rose, wobbling. He has a right to know. You have a right to know, Arthur. You want to know why Ive always been strict? Becausedeep down I sensed you werent my blood.
Dad, youre drunk, Arthur whispered, edging toward the door.
Im not your dad! David shouted, sweeping the cup off the table. Look! He thrust the DNA sheet into Arthurs hands. Fifteen years of lies, proven.
Arthur skimmed the lines, his face draining of colour.
Is this true? he asked his mother.
No! Olivia rushed to him, hugging him tight. Its a monstrous mistake.
Do you work in a lab? David snapped. How can you be so sure its not a lab error?
Because I know, Olivia said firmly. I never cheated. I never had another man before you.
Arthur broke free, Who then is my father?
A heavy silence fell. David sank back into his chair, anger draining away. Olivia pressed her hands to her mouth, fighting back sobs.
I want the truth, Arthur said quietly. All of it.
Olivia nodded slowly. You deserve that. Its complicated.
Whats complicated? David sneered. Just name the real dad.
Its not about that, Olivia breathed. Remember I once told you about my sister, Nadine?
The one who died before I was born? Arthur recalled. In a car crash?
Yes. She was pregnant when the accident happenedseven months along. The doctors saved the baby, a little boy.
The kitchen seemed to hold its breath.
What? David whispered. Youre saying
Arthur is Nadines son, Olivia said. We were just getting together when it happened. Nadines boyfriend vanished after learning about the pregnancy. Then the crash. Her parents were elderly, devastated. I decided to raise the child as my own.
So you rushed into marriage because of that? David muttered. I thought you were just headoverheels for me.
I was madly in love with you, Olivia pleaded. I knew youd be a good man, that youd accept the child.
And you never told me he wasnt mine! David thumped the table. You forced me to believe I was his father!
I wanted to tell you, Olivias tears fell. Many times I was scared youd leave. Then I feared youd hate me. Then it was too late. Youd already loved Arthur as your own.
Davids voice softened, Loved him, huh?
Does that make you not my mother? Arthurs voice quivered.
No, love, Olivia said, pulling him close. Technically Im your aunt, but I raised you. Youve always been my son.
Arthur tried to absorb it all. What was my real mother like?
She was beautiful, brave, talented. You look just like hersame eyes, same laugh. When you grin I hear her.
And my real father? he asked.
I dont know, Olivia admitted. Nadine never spoke of him. All I heard was that he ran off when he found out about the baby.
David buried his face in his hands. Fifteen years why didnt you tell me?
I was terrified, she whispered. Afraid to lose you. Then I thought the truth would only tear us apart. You loved Arthur, you were his dad in every way that mattered. Does it matter whose blood runs through his veins?
The difference is trust, Olivia, David said, lifting his head. You made a decision for me. You denied me a choice.
I know, she said, kneeling. Im guilty of that. But I loved you then, and I still love you. And I love Arthur more than anything.
David stared at Olivia, then at Arthur.
What do you feel? he asked.
Arthur shrugged, I dont know. It feels odd, like Ive become someone else.
Youre not different, Olivia said firmly. Youre still Arthur. You just know a little more about where you come from.
What about pictures? Arthur asked. Do you have any of my real mum?
Yes, Olivia nodded. A whole album. Ill show you everything I remember.
David rose, I need a moment alone to think.
Dave, Olivia said, standing, I understand how you feel, but please dont make any rash decisions. Were still a family. Fifteen years of being a family.
Family built on lies isnt family, David said, shaking his head. You deceived me all this time.
Yes, I deceived you, Olivia agreed. And Im sorry. But I didnt betray Arthur. I loved him as my own. And you loved him as yours. Isnt that something?
David lingered on the thought, then looked at Arthur. The irony is, I ordered that DNA test because I kept noticing Arthur didnt look like mephysically or in temperament. I got angry at him, thinking he didnt want to be like me. Turns out
Turns out I could never be like you, Arthur finished quietly. Genetics.
Its not about genetics, David said suddenly, more calmly. I was wrong too. Ive spent fifteen years teaching you to ride a bike, helping with homework, driving you to swim lessons. I love you. My anger lately was really at myselffor feeling something was off and not knowing what.
What now? Arthur asked. Whats next?
David sighed, I dont know. Honestly, I need time to sort this out.
Olivia, she said, stepping closer, Ive wronged you. Please dont walk away. Lets talk when the storm has passed. Were still a family.
David nodded, Well talk, but not now. I need space.
He headed for the door, then stopped. Arthur, whatever happens between me and your mother, know this: these fifteen years were real. I was your father then, and in a way I always will be.
The door closed. Olivia and Arthur stood in the kitchen, unsure whether to look at each other.
Do you hate me? Olivia asked quietly.
Arthurs grey eyes, so like Nadines, met hers. No. I dont know. Its all a muddle.
Indeed, she said. But one thing Im certain of: I love you, Arthur. From the first moment I saw you in the hospital, a tiny, helpless boy. You were my sisters son, but to me youve always been my son. That will never change.
Will Dad come back? Arthur asked.
I dont know. Hes a good man, Arthur. Hes just hurting now.
It hurts me too, Arthur admitted. Feels like Ive become someone else.
Youre still you, Olivia said, gently touching his shoulder. You just know a bit more about your story. It doesnt change who you are.
Arthur smiled weakly and hugged her. Thanks for not putting me in a childrens home. For raising me as yours.
She held him close, tears gathering again. Youre mine, always.
That night none of them slept. They sat at the kitchen table, leafing through old photo albums. Olivia showed pictures of two girls who could have been twinsherself and Nadine.
She was a brilliant artist, Olivia said, tracing the faded images. Dreamed of moving to the big city, becoming famous. I was more of a homebody, dreaming of a family.
Looks like she got both, Arthur murmured.
Yes, Olivia smiled through tears. She got the one thing I cherish mostyou.
The next morning, after a sleepless night, a knock sounded at the door. David stood there, unshaven, eyes pinkeyed but sober.
May I come in? he asked.
Olivia stepped aside. David entered, finding Arthur still flipping through the photographs.
Looks like youve had a long night, he said, sitting opposite them.
Seems so, Olivia replied.
David nodded. Ive walked the city till dawn, stewing over this. Ive been angryangry at the deception, angry at being robbed of a choice. But then I realised I made a choice fifteen years ago, when I fell in love with you as a helpless baby. Changing that now would be a betrayalto you, to Arthur, to myself.
He glanced at Arthur. Is this true?
True, David said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. I was angry not because you arent my blood, but because I was tricked. Yet I chose you back then, and I cant now walk away. Not for Olivias sake, not for Arthurs.
Olivia covered her face, unable to hold back the sobs.
Thank you, David said gently. Im still angry at you, Olivia. I dont know if Ill ever fully forgive. But I want to tryfor Arthur, for the fifteen years that felt real, despite everything.
Arthur stared at them both, unsure what to say, then whispered, Im glad youre my dad, even if youre not my DNA.
David laughed, the first genuine laugh in ages. And Im glad youre my son. Forget the genetics. Family isnt about blood; its about love, care, responsibility. All the things I tried to teach you.
Olivia watched them, tears still streaming, but a small flicker of hope shining through. They all knew there would be more conversations, more pain, more work. But the core remaineda family, however unconventional, built on a secret yet genuinely theirs.
Now, David said, picking up a photograph of Nadine, tell me everything about the woman who gave us this boy.
And they didabout Nadines love of sunsets, her inability to get out of bed early, her fierce spirit, her brief,And as the sun rose over the quiet garden, the three of them sat together, finally understanding that love, not lineage, was the thread that truly wove their family.
