«I’m not his father,» the husband blurted out during their family dinner, but the DNA test would later reveal something unexpected.
«I dont see the point in this dinner, Emily,» Margaret said, placing a vase of flowers in the middle of the table and eyeing the table setting critically. «You and James have been at each others throats for months. Are you really going to pretend everythings fine all evening?»
Emily silently polished the crystal glasses, running a soft cloth along their delicate rims. These had been a gift from her mother-in-law on their tenth wedding anniversary. Back then, it had felt like there would be decades more of celebrations. Now, just five years later, even sharing a meal had become an ordeal.
«Mum, Jack is fifteen. He understands more than we think. But I want him to see that James and I can still be civil, despite everything. Family matters.»
Margaret sighed and shook her head. At sixty-three, she was as sharp and strong-willed as ever. After her husbands passing, shed moved in with Emily and Jack, becoming their anchor.
«Your father, God rest him, used to say, ‘A rotten bridge wont hold a heavy cart.’ Forgive my bluntness, but your marriage is that bridge right now.»
Emily set the last glass down and walked to the window. The April evening painted the sky in soft pinks. Somewhere in the city, James was finishing work. Would he even come home? For the past three months, hed stayed late, returning only to shut himself away in cold silence.
«There are things we need to settle, Mum. For Jacks sake.»
A lanky teenager burst into the room, shoving notebooks into his backpack.
«Mum, Im going to Benswere working on our physics project.»
«Hold on,» Emily caught his sleeve. «Family dinner, remember? Your dads coming.»
Jack rolled his eyes dramatically. «Whats the point? Hes never home anyway. You really think he cares?»
«Jack!» Margaret scolded. «Dont speak about your father like that. He works hard for this family.»
«Yeah, especially on weekends and evenings,» the boy muttered. «Mum, come oncan I go? Ill be back by seven, promise.»
Emily exhaled. Her son was growing distant, spending less time at home. Maybe letting him go was betterone less tense moment.
«Fine, but be back by seven. Your dad has something important to say.»
As Jack left, Margaret shook her head.
«That boy feels it all, Emily. Dont lie to him. If its over between you and James, tell him the truth.»
«Its not over, Mum,» Emily turned away to hide her tears. «Just a rough patch. Every marriage has them.»
Margaret opened her mouth to reply, but the front door clicked shut. James was home early. Emily wiped her eyes and forced a smile.
«Hi,» she greeted him in the hallway.
James nodded silently, hanging up his coat. He looked exhausted, hollow. Tall and broad-shouldered, with silver streaking his temples, hed always been Emilys rock. Twenty years together, fifteen married. She thought she knew everything about himuntil these past months, when hed become a stranger.
«Is Jack home?» he asked, heading to the kitchen.
«Hes at a friends but will be back by seven. You wanted to talk to him?»
James nodded, avoiding her gaze. He greeted Margaret and sat at the table.
«Tea?» Margaret offered. «Dinners in half an hour.»
«No, thanks.» He pulled out his phone, absorbed in its glow.
Emily exchanged a glance with her mother. The air was thick with tension.
«Ill check the roast,» Margaret said, tactfully slipping into the kitchen.
Emily sat across from James.
«James, can we talk?»
He looked up, and for the first time, she saw raw pain in his eyes.
«About what?» His voice was flat.
«About us. About whats happening. Youre never home, we dont speak»
«Whats left to say, Emily?» He set his phone down. «Do we even have anything to say to each other anymore?»
«Of course we do!» She leaned forward. «Fifteen years together. Does it really end like this, without even a conversation?»
He studied her, wrestling with something, then shook his head.
«Lets wait for Jack. I need to talk to both of you.»
A chill ran through her. Something irreversible loomed over their family.
At seven, Jack returned, buzzing with energy, oblivious to the tension.
«Dad, hey!» He grinned, shaking Jamess hand. «Hows work? You promised to tell me about the new project!»
James managed a weak smile. «Later, son. Lets eat first.»
Dinner passed in stifling silence. Margaret tried filling the gaps with neighborhood gossip, Jack rambled about school, but nothing stuck. James barely touched his food, staring blankly at his plate.
«Dessert?» Emily offered as plates were cleared. «I made your favorite lemon tart.»
«No,» James cut in. «We need to talk. Seriously.»
Margaret stood. «Ill give you some privacy»
«Stay.» His voice was firm. «This concerns everyone.»
Emilys stomach twisted. James looked resolute, almost hostilean expression shed never seen.
«Ive thought a lot about how to say this,» he began, staring at the table. «But theres no easy way.» He lifted his eyes to Jack. «I cant live a lie anymore. Your son isnt mine, Emily.»
Silence. Emily couldnt breathe. Jack gaped. Margaret gasped, clutching her chest.
«What?» Emily finally choked out. «What are you saying?»
«I know everything,» James said quietly, each word a hammer blow. «About you and Richard before we married. He told me last week. Said he couldnt keep it secret anymore.»
«Richard?» Emilys gaze darted between James and Jack. «Thats insane! I havent seen him in years!»
«Stop lying.» James slammed a fist on the table, rattling the dishes. «He showed me your letters, photos. Said you met while I was away, a month before our wedding. The dates add up, Emily. I checked.»
Jack shot up, his face white.
«Whats happening?» He looked between them. «Youre… not my dad?»
«James, stop!» Emily stood. «You dont know what youre saying! Jack is yoursI never cheated!»
«Why would he lie?» James shook his head. «Richard said he always regretted letting you go. Now hes divorced and wants to start over. With you. And… his son.»
Jack bolted to his room, slamming the door. Something crashed. Emily moved to follow, but Margaret held her back.
«Give him space,» she murmured. Then, to James, «And youyou believed some stranger over the woman youve loved for fifteen years?»
«Hes no stranger,» James said tiredly. «He was my best friend. Until he stole my fiancée. Now hes finishing what he started.»
Emily sank into a chair, legs buckling. Suddenly, it made sense. Richard, Jamess old friend, had pursued her once. Theyd met before the weddingRichard begged her not to marry James. But shed refused him. Thered been no affair. And now, Richards lies… Revenge. Calculated, delayed fifteen years, but revenge.
«James, listen,» she said, forcing calm. «I did meet Richard before the wedding. Once. For coffee. He asked me not to marry you. I said no. Thats all. Nothing happened.»
«And the letters? The photos?» James pulled a crumpled envelope from his pocket. «‘Ill never forget our night.’ Your handwriting, Emily. Id know it anywhere.»
Trembling, she took it. The script resembled hers, but the words werent hers.
«This is fake,» she said. «James, I didnt write this.»
«Enough lies!» He stood, face twisted in pain. «I raised another mans child for fifteen years. Im done. The divorce papers come tomorrow.»
He grabbed his coat and left. The door slammed. Silence.
Emily sat frozen, grappling with the wreckage. How had Richard faked her writing? And why?
«What now?» Margaret whispered, hugging her. «Jacks shattered. James is gone. How do we prove its a lie?»
Emily looked up, resolve hardening.
«A DNA test. Its the only way.»
The next day, she took Jack to a private clinic. He was withdrawn, aged overnight.
«Mum… what if hes right?» he asked as they waited. «What then?»
«Hes your father, Jack,» she said, squeezing his shoulder. «Ive never doubted it.»
«But the letters»
«Fakes. Richard always manipulated people. This is his revenge for me choosing your dad.»
Jack was silent, then whispered, «If… if he wasnt my dad… would you love me less?»
Emilys throat tightened.
«Never,» she said fiercely. «Youre my son. No test changes that.»
Results would take three days. But they needed Jamess sample.
«How do we get one if he wont even answer calls?» Margaret asked that evening.
Emily held up his hairbrush. «Thisll work.»
Three agonizing days passed. Jack skipped school. James stayed gone.
Then, the email. Emilys hands shook as she opened it. The words were clear: 99.9% probability of paternity.
«Mum!» she cried, rushing to Margaret. «Its here! James is Jacks father!»
Margaret crossed herself. «Thank God. Now show James.»
But he ignored calls and texts. Emily went to his office.
The receptionist hesitated. «Mr. Thompsons on leave. Hes not seeing anyone.»
Emily stood firm. «This is about his son. If he doesnt come out, Ill make a scene theyll talk about for years.»
Five minutes later, James appearedhaggard, unshaven, eyes red.
«What do you want?»
Silently, she handed him the results. He scanned them, disbelief shifting to shock.
«This… is real?»
«DNA doesnt lie,» she said. «But people do. Especially Richard.»
James collapsed into a chair, face in his hands.
«God, what have I done?» he rasped. «How could I believe… Jack, he»
«Hes devastated,» Emily said coldly. «We all are. How could you think this, James? After everything?»
«He was so convincing,» James looked up, broken. «The letters, photos… And wed grown so distant…»
«We grew distant because you worked nonstop. Not because I betrayed you.»
Long silence. Then, softly:
«Can you ever forgive me?»
«I dont know,» she admitted. «But for Jack, Ill try. He needs you.»
That evening, James returned with flowers for Emily and a new console for Jack. Their talk lasted hours. When they emerged, both had been crying but looked at peace.
«Its okay, Mum,» Jack smiled weakly. «We talked. Stuff happens.»
Margaret wiped her eyes and busied herself with dinner. James approached Emily.
«I was a fool,» he said hoarsely. «I dont deserve forgiveness. But I love you both more than life. Ill spend every day earning your trust back.»
Emily studied himhis exhaustion, his sincerity. Then nodded.
«It wont be quick, James.»
«I know,» he took her hand. «But well get there. Together.»
A week later, Richard showed up at their door, frantic.
«Emily, Im sorry,» he babbled. «I never meant for this. I just wanted to hurt you both»
James shut the door in his face, then turned to Emily and Jack.
«No one comes between us again. I promise.»
Emily smiled, feeling the storm clouds finally part. Thered be work aheadrebuilding trust, hard conversations. But theyd already chosen each other, chosen family, against all odds.
«I love you,» she said simply, holding them both. «Youre my men. The most important in my life.»
Jack groaned but hugged them tighter. James kissed Emilys forehead.
«Forgive me. Ill never doubt you again.»
Outside, a new day dawned. For the first time in months, they faced it togetherstronger for having survived the storm.
