Your son isnt mine, David declares after fifteen years of marriage, waving a DNA report.
Youre defending him again! Every single time you act like he cant answer for his deeds! Olivia snaps, her voice hard as steel. Arthur is fifteen, hes still a child. They were together, they got carried away, they broke a window. Its not the end of the world.
Child? David chuckles. At fifteen I was already working summer jobs, helping my dad. And whats Arthur doing? Hanging out with his mates, smashing glass! This isnt the first time he lands in trouble.
Listen, Olivia takes a deep breath, holding back irritation. Arthur does well at school, he swims. Yes, today they acted foolishly, but
But again! You always have an excuse for his misbehaviour. You know whats odd? His behaviour its nothing like how my family acted. We respected our elders, we never behaved like that.
What does your family have to do with it, David? Olivia shakes her head. Times have changed, love.
Its not about the times, David turns to the window. Its about the blood.
Olivia freezes, not catching his meaning, but before she can press the point the front door slams and Arthur bursts in. Hes tall, lanky, with messy chestnut hair and grey eyes that mirror his mothers.
Hey, he grumbles, dumping his backpack onto the floor.
Dont you ever throw things like that again, David snaps.
Arthur rolls his eyes. Come on, Dad, its just a backpack.
Its not just a backpack, its your attitude toward things, the house, the rules, David says, clenching his fists. Katherines parents called. They told us about the broken window at school.
Arthur shoots a quick glance at his mother. We were just playing ball in the yard. We hit the window by accident.
Accidentally? David snorts. And it happened to be the headteachers office window?
How was I supposed to know it was the headteachers office?
If I had known, would I have aimed elsewhere? Davids voice drips with bitterness.
David, enough, Olivia intervenes. Arthur, dinners on the stove. Eat and then get on with your homework.
Arthur nods politely, picks up his backpack and heads to the kitchen. David watches him with a heavy stare.
Dont you think youre being too harsh? Olivia asks as Arthur disappears behind the door.
And dont you think youre spoiling him too much? David retorts. No surprise there.
What do you mean? Olivia asks.
Nothing. Forget it, he waves a hand and leaves the room.
Olivia stands in the living room, a cold shiver running down her spine. Lately David has been especially irritable, picking apart Arthurs tiniest mistakes. Their marriage has always been rockyDavid complains Olivia is too soft on Arthur, Olivia thinks David is too demanding. In recent months a new edge has appeared in his accusations, as if a hidden resentment or suspicion has taken hold.
Evening stretches in strained silence. Arthur locks himself in his room, David sits in his study, Olivia tries to read but her thoughts scatter. The strange remark about blood nags at her.
Later, lying beside David in the dark, she asks, Whats happening between you and Arthur? Why are you reacting so sharply to his actions?
David stays silent long enough for Olivia to assume hes asleep. Then he turns and whispers, I just want him to grow into a real man, responsible. Not like
Like who?
Doesnt matter. Sleep. He turns toward the wall.
Morning brings no relief. At breakfast everyone is quiet. Arthur eats quickly and rushes off to school, skipping any usual fatherly lecture. David scrolls on his phone without looking up.
Ill be late today, he says, finishing his coffee. Meeting with clients.
Alright, Olivia nods. Ill handle dinner.
No need, David stands. I dont know when Ill be back.
The day drags. Olivia works from home, translating articles for a scientific journal. Normally the work absorbs her, but today her mind keeps circling the blood comment, Davids odd behavior, the widening gap between father and son.
Arthur returns from school in a good mood, saying hes patched things up with the headteacher and apologized for the window.
Weve decided to pick up extra shifts this weekend to pay for the glass, he says while helping Olivia chop vegetables.
Good idea, Olivia smiles. Dad will be pleased.
Arthur frowns. I doubt it. Hes been disappointed with me no matter what I do.
Dont say that, Olivia pats his back. He just worries about you, wants you to become a good person.
What kind of good? Like the kind who comes home and starts criticizing everyone? Arthur snaps.
Arthur, dont talk about your father like that, Olivia warns.
Sorry, he lowers his head. Sometimes it feels like he never loved me.
Olivias heart tightens. She pulls him into a hug. Thats not true. He loves you, he just isnt always good at showing it.
Arthur shrugs. If you say so
David never shows up for dinner, nor for ten oclock. Olivia tries calling, but his phone is unreachable. Its oddhe usually lets her know if hes delayed.
Arthur goes to bed. Olivia sits at the kitchen table with a cooling cup of tea when the lock clicks. David stumbles in, clearly drunk.
Where have you been? I was worried, she says, moving toward him.
David looks at her with a strange, assessing gaze. Worried? Really?
Yes, you didnt answer, you didnt call
For fifteen years, he interrupts, swaying slightly. Fifteen years Ive been the model family man. Worked, provided, never questioned. And you
What? Olivias throat goes cold.
You know what, David walks to the kitchen, collapses into a chair. I always thought we had a good family. Not perfect, but real. I believed in you.
You still can believe me, Olivia whispers. I never lied to you.
David pulls a folded sheet of paper from his pocket, a bitter smile on his face.
Truth? Whats this?
Its the DNA test results. He spreads the paper on the table. Your son isnt mine, Olivia. Fifteen years youve been leading me on.
Olivia feels the floor drop out from under her. She grabs the edge of the table to keep from falling.
What? Which test? When did you
A week ago, he says, smirking. I told Arthur we needed a precautionary test. He believed me. Today the results came in.
Olivias hands shake as she takes the sheet. The medical jargon blurs, but the headline is clear: Paternity excluded.
This cant be right, she whispers. There must be a mistake.
A mistake? David laughs, though theres no humor. Who is he then? Whos Arthurs father?
Youre my father, Olivia says firmly. Youre his father, David. You know that!
I thought I knew, he shakes his head. Fifteen years. A lifetime. And now I discover Ive raised someone elses child.
Olivia stares at him, horrified.
David, it must be a lab mixup, or maybe you forgot some fling before we married? Did you cheat?
Never! she cries, tears welling. Ive only ever loved you.
Then explain this result! David slams his hand on the paper. Explain why the DNA says Im not his father!
A sudden rustle at the kitchen doorway catches them both. Arthur, still in his school uniform, looks dishevelled from sleep.
Nothing, love, Olivia says quickly. Just a grownup conversation. Go back to bed.
Father, David repeats, voice echoing, but whose?
Arthur looks between them, confused.
David, dont, Olivia pleads. Not with him here.
Why not? David asks, rising, swaying. He has a right to know. You have a right to know, Arthur. Want to know why Ive always been so strict? He pauses, his voice softening. Because, deep down, I sensed you werent my blood.
Dad, youre drunk, Arthur whispers, stepping toward the door.
Im not your dad! David shouts, knocking a cup off the table. Look! He thrusts the DNA sheet at Arthur. Proof that Ive lived a lie for fifteen years.
Arthur scans the paper, his face paling.
Is this true? he asks his mother. Im not?
No! Olivia rushes to him, hugging him tightly. Its a mistake, Arthur. Some terrible mistake.
Do you work in a lab? David asks bitterly. What gives you confidence theres an error?
Because I know, Olivia says firmly. I never cheated. I never had another man before you. You know that.
Arthur pulls away. I dont understand. Who is my real father?
Silence settles heavy. David sinks back into his chair, anger draining. Olivia clutches her hands over her mouth, fighting back sobs.
I want the whole truth, Arthur says quietly. All of it.
Olivia nods slowly. You deserve that.
Whats complicated? David sneers. Just name the real father.
Its not about that, Olivia sighs. Remember I told you about my sister, Natalie?
The one who died before I was born? Arthur recalls. In a car crash?
Yes.
Right, Olivia continues, sitting down. Natalie was my twin. We looked alike, but we were opposite in character. She was bold, adventurous, always getting into scrapes. I was the quiet, homebound one.
David frowns. What does that have to do with anything?
It matters because, Olivia looks David straight in the eye, Natalie was pregnant when the accident happenedseven months along. Doctors saved the baby, a little boy.
The kitchen feels suddenly icy.
What? David whispers. Are you saying
Arthur is Natalies son, Olivia says softly. We were just starting to date when it happened. Natalie was alone; the father vanished after learning about the pregnancy. Then the crash took her. Her parents were elderly and devastated. I decided to raise the child as my own.
So you rushed into marriage because of that, David mutters. I thought you were crazy about me.
I was crazy about you, Olivia pleads. I loved you and knew you were a good man who would take the child in.
You never told me he wasnt mine! David slams his fist on the table. You made me believe I was his father!
I wanted to tell you, tears stream down Olivias cheeks. I was scared youd leave. Then I feared youd hate me. And then it was too late. You were already attached to Arthur, loving him as your son.
Loved, David repeats, voice raw. So youre not my mother?
Technically Im his aunt, Olivia admits. But I raised him, loved him every day of his life. To me hes always been my son.
Arthur looks at them, his voice trembling. And my real mother Natalie what was she like?
Olivia forces a faint smile. Beautiful, brave, talented. Youve got her eyes and her laugh. When you smile I hear her.
And my real father? Arthur asks.
I dont know, Olivia says honestly. Natalie never mentioned him. All I know is he ran away when he learned about the baby.
David rubs his temples. Fifteen years why didnt you tell me then?
I was afraid, Olivia whispers. Afraid of losing you. Then I thought the truth would shatter everything. You loved Arthur; I thought that mattered more than blood.
The difference is trust, Olly, David says, lifting his head. You chose for me, didnt give me a choice.
Im sorry, she says, kneeling. I love you still. I love Arthur more than anything.
David stays seated, head bowed. What do you feel now? he asks Arthur.
Arthur shrugs. I dont know. Its all strange. Like Im someone else.
Youre not someone else, Olivia says firmly. Youre still the same Arthur.
Pictures? Arthur asks suddenly. Do you have photos of my real mother?
Yes, Olivia nods. A whole album. Ill show you everything I remember.
David stands, pacing. I need some time alone to think.
David, Olivia rises, eyes wet, I understand youre angry. Please dont make any rash decisions. Weve been a family for fifteen years.
A family built on a lie isnt a family, David says. You deceived me all this time.
Yes, I deceived you, Olivia concedes. But I also loved you and Arthur. Does that count for anything? Isnt love more important than biology?
David looks at the DNA sheet again, then at Arthur. You know whats ironic? I ordered that test because I kept feeling Arthur wasnt like mephysically, temperamentally. I was angry at him for that. Turns out
Arent we all different? Arthur finishes. Genetics.
Its not about genetics, David says suddenly, more calmly. I was wrong, too. I spent fifteen years raising youteaching you to ride a bike, helping with homework, driving you to swim practice. I love you. My anger lately wasnt at you; it was at myself for feeling cheated.
So what now? Arthur asks. What happens next?
David sighs deeply. I honestly dont know. I need time to process everything.
Olivia, Im guilty too, she says, stepping close. I hurt you. Please dont walk away. Lets try to talk once our emotions settle. Were still a family.
David nods. Well talk, but not now.
He walks to the door, stops, and turns. Arthur, whatever happens between me and your mother, know this: those fifteen years were real. I was your father then, and Ill remain yours in my heart.
The door closes. Olivia and Arthur stand in the kitchen, unsure where to look.
Do you hate me? Olivia asks quietly.
Arthur lifts his grey eyeslike Natalies, like Olivias. No. Im confused. Everythings tangled.
Yes, tangled, Olivia agrees. But one thing Im certain of: I love you, Arthur. From the moment I saw you in the hospital, tiny and helpless. You were my sisters son, but to me youve always been my son. That will never change.
Will dad come back? Arthur asks.
I dont know. I hope he does. Hes a good man, Arthur. Hes hurting now.
It hurts me too, Arthur admits. Feels like Ive become someone else.
Youre still you, Olivia says, gently touching his shoulder. You just know a bit more about where you come from. That doesnt change you.
Arthur smiles weakly and embraces her. Thank you for not sending me to a childrens home, for raising me as yours.
Olivia holds him close, tears spilling again. You are my boy, always have been.
That night none of them sleep. They sit in the kitchen, flipping through old photo albums. Olivia shows pictures of two girls who look alikeherself and Natalie.
She was a talented artist, Olivia says, running a finger over a faded image. She wanted to move to the city, become famous. I was the homebody dreaming of a family.
And you got both? Arthur says softly.
Yes, she smiles through tears. The most precious thing I got was you.
Morning finds them still at the table when a knock sounds. David stands in the doorwayscruffy, eyes red but sober.
May I come in? he asks.
Olivia steps aside. David walks to the kitchen where Arthur is still looking at photos.
I see youve had a long night, he says, sitting opposite them.
Youve had one too, Olivia replies.
David nods. Ive thought a lot. Been up all night, wandering the city. I was angry at the fact that I wasnt Arthurs biological father. I was angry at the deception, at losing a choice. Then I realised I made a choice fifteen years ago, when I fell in love with you and with Arthur as a child. Changing that now would betray everything Ive built.
He looks at Olivia. Im still angry at you, but I want to try. For Arthurs sake. For the fifteen years that were real, despite everything.
Olivia covers her face with her hands, unable to stop sobbing.
Thank you, David says quietly. I dont deserve this, but Ill try.
Its not about me, Olivia whispers. Its about us, our family.
Arthur watches both parents, unsure what to say. ThenTogether they raised a glass, promising to rebuild their trust and love, no matter the blood that ran through their veins.
