I never imagined the man I lovedmy child’s fatherwould stare straight into my eyes and question whether our little boy was truly his. Yet there I was, perched on the faded sofa of our modest terraced house, cradling the infant while Mark and his parents hurled doubts like sharp shards.
It all began with a glance. When my motherinlaw, Margaret, first laid eyes on baby Ethan in the maternity ward, she furrowed her brow. Leaning toward Mark while I pretended to be asleep, she whispered, He doesnt look like a Whitaker. I pretended not to hear, but the words cut deeper than the stitches from my Csection.
Mark laughed it off at first. We joked about how babies change, how Ethan had my nose and Marks chin. Still, that seed of suspicion was planted, and Margaret watered it whenever she could.
Mark had blue eyes as a baby, she would say, holding Ethan up to the light. Isnt it odd his are so dark?
One night, when Ethan was three months old, Mark trudged home late from the factory. I was on the sofa feeding him, hair unwashed, exhaustion hanging over me like a heavy coat. He didnt even plant a kiss. He just stood there, arms crossed.
We need to talk, he said.
I already knew the words that would follow.
Mom and Dad think it would be best to do a DNA test. To clear the air.
Clear the air? I echoed, voice hoarse with disbelief. You think Ive been unfaithful?
Mark shifted uneasily. No, Eleanor. Not at all. Theyre worried. I just want to settle thisfor everyone.
My heart sank. For everyone but me, not for Ethan, not for Mark, for them.
Fine, I said after a long pause, holding back tears. If you want a test, youll have one. But I want something in return.
Mark frowned. What do you mean?
If I endure this insult, youll let me handle the aftermath however I see fit, and youll promise, here in front of your parents, that anyone who still doubts me after the results are in will be cut off.
Mark hesitated. Behind him, Margaret stiffened, arms crossed, eyes like cold steel.
And if I refuse?
I met his gaze, feeling Ethans soft breaths against my chest. Then you can all leave. Dont come back.
Silence thickened. Margaret opened her mouth to argue, but Mark silenced her with a glance. He knew I wasnt bluffing. He knew Id never been unfaithful. Ethan was his sonhis mirror if only he could see past his mothers poison.
Alright, Mark finally said, running a hand through his hair. Well do the test. And if it proves what you say, thats it. No more accusations.
Margarets face twisted like shed swallowed a lemon. This is absurd, she hissed. If you have nothing to hide
I have nothing to hide, I snapped. But you doyour hatred, your meddling. It ends when the test is done, or youll never see your son or grandson again.
Mark winced but said nothing.
Two days later the nurse swabbed Ethans tiny mouth while he whimpered in my arms. Mark gave his sample, his face grim. That night I rocked Ethan, whispering apologies he could not understand.
I barely slept. Mark dozed on the sofa. I could not bear sharing a bed with a man who still questioned meor our baby.
When the results arrived, Mark read them first. He sank to his knees before me, paper trembling in his hand. Eleanor Im so sorry. I should never have
Dont apologise to me, I said coldly, lifting Ethan from the cot onto my lap. Apologise to your son. And to yourself. Youve lost something you can never get back.
My battle was not over. The test was merely the opening act.
Mark knelt, clutching the proof of what he ought to have known all along. His eyes were red, but I felt nothingno warmth, no pity. Only a cold emptiness where trust once lived.
Behind him, Margaret and my fatherinlaw Edward stood frozen. Margarets lips were so tight they were white. She dared not meet my gaze. Good.
You promised, I said calmly, rocking Ethan, who gurgled happily, unaware of the storm. You said that if the test cleared the air, youd cut out anyone still doubting me.
Mark swallowed hard. Eleanor, please. Shes my mother. She was just worried
Worried? I laughed sharply, making the baby flinch. I brushed his soft hair. She poisoned you against your own wife and son. Called me a liar and a cheatall because she cant stand not controlling your life.
Margaret stepped forward, voice trembling with righteous venom. Eleanor, dont be dramatic. We did what any family would. We had to be sure
No, I interrupted. Normal families trust each other. Normal husbands dont make their wives prove their children are theirs. You wanted proof? Youve got it. Now youll get something else.
Mark looked confused. Eleanor, what do you mean?
I inhaled deeply, feeling Ethans heartbeat against my chest. I want all of you gone. Now.
Margaret gasped. Edward sputtered. Marks eyes widened. What? Eleanor, you cantthis is our house
No, I said firmly. This is Ethans house. Mine and his. You three broke it. You doubted us, humiliated me. You will not raise my son in a home where his mother is called a liar.
Mark rose, anger replacing guilt. Eleanor, be reasonable
I was reasonable, I snapped. When I agreed to that disgusting test. When I bit my tongue as your mother threw barbs at my hair, my cooking, my family. I was reasonable letting her into our lives at all.
I stood, clutching Ethan tighter. But Im done being reasonable. You want to stay here? Fine. But your parents leave. Today. Or you all leave.
Margaret shrieked. Mark! Are you really letting her do this? Your own mother
Mark looked from me to Ethan, then to the floor. For the first time in years he looked like a lost boy in his own home. He turned to Margaret and Edward. Mom. Dad. Maybe you should go.
The silence cracked Margarets perfect mask. Her face twisted with fury and disbelief. Edward placed a hand on her shoulder, but she brushed it away.
This is your wifes doing, she hissed at Mark. Dont expect forgiveness.
She turned to me, eyes sharp as knives. Youll regret this. You think youve won, but youll regret it when he comes crawling back.
I smiled. Goodbye, Margaret.
In minutes, Edward snatched their coats, muttering apologies Mark could not answer. Margaret slipped out without looking back. When the door shut, the house felt bigger, emptierbut lighter.
Mark sank to the edge of the sofa, staring at his hands. He looked up, voice barely a whisper. Eleanor Im sorry. I should have stood up for youfor us.
I nodded. Yes. You should have.
He reached for my hand. I let him hold it for a momentjust a momentthen pulled away. Mark, I dont know if I can forgive you. This shattered my trust in them and in you.
Tears welled in his eyes. Tell me what to do. Ill do anything.
I stared down at Ethan, who yawned and curled his tiny fingers around my sweater. Start by earning it back. Be the father he deserves. Be the husband I deserveif you want that chance. And if you ever let them near me or Ethan again without my permission, you wont see us again. Understand?
Mark nodded, shoulders slumping. I understand.
In the weeks that followed, Margaret called, begged, threatenedI never answered. Mark didnt either. He came home early each night, took Ethan for walks so I could rest, cooked dinner. He looked at our son as if seeing him for the first timebecause perhaps, in a way, he was.
Rebuilding trust is not easy. Some nights I lie awake wondering if Ill ever see Mark the same way again. But every morning, when I watch him feed Ethan breakfast, make him laugh, I think maybejust maybewell be okay.
Were not perfect. But were ours. And thats enough.
