He refused to marry his pregnant girlfriend. His mother backed him, but his father defended the unborn child.
He wouldnt marry the girl, no matter what. His mother stood by him, but his father stood up for the baby.
«Dad, Ive got news,» said Oliver, barely through the door. «The neighbors daughter, Emily shes pregnant. Its mine.»
William, his father, paused for a heartbeat before answering calmly:
«Well, marry her then.»
«Are you mad? Im still young. Its not time for a familywe werent even serious!»
«Werent you?» His fathers smile was cold. «So you were man enough to chase a girl, but when its time to take responsibility, suddenly youre a child. Fine.» Without another word, he called out sharply, «Margaret! Come here!»
Margaret walked in, drying her hands on her apron.
«Whats the matter?»
«Listen. Our sons got a girl pregnantEmily, the neighbors daughterand now he wont marry her. Hes trying to slink away like a coward.»
Margaret didnt even blink. Her face hardened.
«And hes right. Why drag the first stray into this house? Girls these days are cunningfind a man with money, trap him with a baby, then demand a ring. Whos to say the childs even his? Get a test done. Besides, Olivers young. Hes a manhard to resist temptation. But were not obliged to raise another mans mistake.»
William took a slow breath. «And if it is his?»
«So what if it is? Are we bound to shoulder that burden? Tell him to get the teststhen well see.»
She turned on her heel and vanished back into the kitchen, leaving William alone with his son.
«You know,» he began, «I was young once too. Loved one girl, married another. Not for lovefor duty. A man isnt just passion. Hes choices. Consequences. Your mother was pregnant. I didnt know if I could love her, but I knew one thingthe baby wasnt to blame. My blood, my conscience. And you know what, Oliver? I never regretted staying.»
Three months passed. The DNA test came back clear: 99.9% chance Oliver was the father of Emilys child.
«So what?» Margaret scoffed when William laid the paper before her. «Yes, hes the father. That doesnt mean Emilys moving in here. She wont set foot in this house. Ive said my piece!»
Oliver sat silent, avoiding his fathers gaze. His clenched fists said enoughhed chosen his mothers side.
William rose slowly from the table.
«If the two of you have made your decision, now hear mine.»
His voice was low, steady.
«As long as I live, my grandchild will want for nothing. Ill buy land, build a house, and hemy bloodwill have everything Ive earned. And the two of you? Youll get no more from me. I wont be part of this shame. Oliver, as of today, youre no son of mine. Everything I have goes to that child. You wont see a penny.»
Margaret exploded. «Have you lost your mind? Youd cut off your own son?»
William didnt answer. He turned and walked out, ignoring the shouts, the curses. Oliver stayed frozen, unable to believe it. But he knewwhen William said a thing, he meant it.
