«Your son isn’t mine,» blurted her husband at the family dinner, but the DNA test would soon reveal something entirely different.
«I dont see the point of this dinner, Emily,» Margaret set a vase of flowers in the middle of the table and squinted critically at the place settings. «You and Daniel have been at each others throats lately. Are we really going to pretend everythings fine all evening?»
Emily polished the crystal wine glasses with a soft cloth, her fingers tracing the delicate rims. Theyd been a gift from her mother-in-law for their tenth anniversary. Back then, shed imagined decades more ahead of them. Now, five years later, even a simple meal together felt like a trial.
«Mum, Jamies fifteen. Hes not stupid. But I want him to see that Daniel and I can still act like civilised adults, despite… everything. Family matters.»
Margaret sighed and shook her head. At sixty-three, she was sharp as a tack and didnt mince words. After her husbands passing, shed moved in with Emily and Jamie, becoming the rock they leaned on.
«Your dad, God rest his soul, used to say, ‘A rotten bridge wont hold a heavy cart.’ No offence, love, but your marriage right now? That bridge is crumbling.»
Emily placed the last glass down and drifted to the window. The April evening painted the sky in soft pastels. Somewhere out there in Manchester, her husband Daniel was finishing work. Would he even show up? Lately, hed been coming home late, cold, distant.
«Some things need sorting, Mum. For Jamies sake.»
A lanky teenager burst in, shoving notebooks into his backpack.
«Mum, Im heading to Sarahsweve got physics homework.»
«Hold on,» Emily caught his sleeve. «Family dinner tonight, remember? Your dads coming.»
Jamie rolled his eyes with a theatrical groan. «Why bother? Hes barely home anyway. You really think he cares?»
«Jamie!» Margaret scolded. «Thats no way to talk about your father. He works hard for this family.»
«Yeah, especially on weekends and evenings,» the teenager muttered. «Mum, seriously, can I go? Ill be back by seven, promise.»
Emily exhaled. Jamie had been withdrawing, spending less time at home. Maybe letting him go was betterless tension.
«Fine. But home by seven. Your dad wants to talk to you about something important.»
Once hed left, Margaret shook her head.
«That boy senses everything, Emily. Dont lie to him. If you and Daniel are done, say so.»
«Were not done, Mum,» Emily turned away to hide her tears. «Its just a rough patch. Happens to everyone.»
Margaret opened her mouth, but the front door clicked shutDaniel was home early. Emily wiped her eyes and forced a smile.
«Hi,» she called into the hallway.
Daniel nodded silently, hanging up his coat. He looked exhausted, hollow. Tall, broad-shouldered, with silver creeping into his temples, hed always been her rock. Twenty years together, fifteen married. Shed thought they knew everything about each other. But lately, shed look at him and see a stranger.
«Jamie home?» he asked, heading to the kitchen.
«At a friends, but hell be back by seven. You wanted to talk to him?»
Daniel nodded, avoiding her gaze. He greeted Margaret and sat at the table.
«Tea?» Margaret offered. «Dinners not for half an hour.»
«No, thanks,» he pulled out his phone, scrolling absently.
Emily exchanged a glance with her mother. The air was thick with tension.
«Best check the roast,» Margaret muttered, tactfully vanishing into the kitchen.
Emily sat across from Daniel.
«Daniel, can we talk?»
He looked up, and for the first time, she saw real pain in his eyesnot just exhaustion or irritation.
«About what?» His voice was flat.
«Us. Whatevers happening. Youre never home, we dont speak…»
«Whats there to say, Emily?» He set his phone down. «Do we even have anything left to say?»
«Of course we do!» She leaned forward. «Daniel, fifteen years together. Does it just… end like this? No explanation?»
He studied her, conflicted, then shook his head.
«Lets wait for Jamie. I need to talk to you both.»
Her stomach dropped. What was coming? Something irreversible, looming over them.
At seven, Jamie returned, oblivious to the tension.
«Dad, hey!» He grinned, shaking Daniels hand. «Hows work? You promised to tell me about the new project!»
Daniel forced a smile, ruffling his hair.
«Later, mate. Lets eat first.»
Dinner was painfully quiet. Margaret prattled about the neighbours; Jamie mentioned school, but conversation fizzled. Daniel barely touched his food, staring into space.
«Dessert?» Emily offered as plates were cleared. «I made your favouriteVictoria sponge.»
«No.» Daniels voice was steel. «We need to talk. Properly.»
Margaret stood. «Ill give you some privacy»
«Stay,» he said firmly. «This concerns everyone.»
Emilys pulse spiked. Daniel looked resolute, almost hostile. Shed never seen him like this.
«Ive thought a lot about how to say this,» he began, staring at the table. «But theres no easy way.» He met Jamies eyes. «I cant live a lie anymore. Your son isnt mine, Emily.»
Silence. Emily couldnt breathe. Jamie froze, mouth open. Margaret gasped, clutching her chest.
«What?» Emily choked out. «What are you saying?»
«I know everything,» Daniel said quietly, each word a hammer blow. «About you and Robert before we married. He told me last week. Said he couldnt keep it secret anymore.»
«Robert?» Emily stared between him and Jamie. «Youre mad! I havent seen him in years!»
«Stop lying.» Daniel slammed a fist on the table, rattling the china. «He showed me your letters, photos. Said you met up while I was away. A month before our wedding. The dates add up, Emily. I checked.»
Jamie shot up, pale as chalk.
«Whats happening?» His voice cracked. «Youre not… my dad?»
«Daniel, stop,» Emily stood. «You dont know what youre saying! Jamies yoursI never cheated!»
«Why would he lie?» Daniel shook his head. «Robert said he regretted letting you go. That hes divorced now and wants to start over. With you. And… his son.»
Jamie bolted to his room, door slamming. Emily moved to follow, but Margaret held her back.
«Give him space,» she murmured. Then, sharp to Daniel: «And youyou believed some snake over the woman youve loved for fifteen years?»
«Hes not a snake,» Daniel said dully. «He was my friend. Until he stole my fiancée. Now hes finishing the job.»
Emily sank into a chair, legs weak. Suddenly, it made sense. Robert, Daniels old friend, had pursued her once. Theyd met before the weddingRobert begged her not to marry Daniel, claimed he loved her. Shed refused. Nothing had happened. And now, Roberts lies… Revenge. Delayed fifteen years, but revenge.
«Daniel, listen,» she kept her voice steady, though fury simmered. «I did meet Robert before the wedding. Once. For coffee. He asked me not to marry you. I said no. Thats all. No affair, nothing.»
«And the letters? Photos?» Daniel pulled a crumpled envelope from his pocket. «Ill never forget our night. Your handwriting, Emily. Id know it anywhere.»
Her hands shook as she took it. The writing mimicked hersbut shed never written those words!
«This is forged,» she whispered. «Daniel, its not me.»
«Enough lies!» He stood, face twisted in pain. «Fifteen years raising another mans child. Fifteen years of betrayal. Im done. I filed for divorce. Youll get the papers tomorrow.»
He grabbed his coat and left. The door slammed. Silence.
Emily sat numb, trying to process. How had Robert faked her writing? Why? What had she done to deserve such hatred?
«What now?» Margaret whispered, holding her. «Jamies shattered. Daniels lost his mind. How do we prove its all a lie?»
Emily looked up, resolve hardening.
«DNA test. Only way to prove Daniels Jamies father.»
Next day, they went to a private clinic. Jamie was quiet, aged overnight.
«Mum, what if hes right?» he asked as they waited. «If hes not my dad… will you love me less?»
Her throat tightened.
«Never,» she hugged him. «Youre my son. Always.»
Results took three days. They needed Daniels DNAhis toothbrush, combanything.
The wait was agony. Jamie skipped school. Daniel ignored calls.
Then, the email. Hands trembling, she opened the attachmentmedical jargon, but the conclusion was clear: 99.9% probability of paternity.
«Mum!» She burst into Margarets room. «Proof! Daniel is Jamies father!»
Margaret crossed herself. «Thank God. Now show Daniel.»
But he wouldnt answer. Desperate, Emily went to his office.
The receptionist at the engineering firm was wary. «Mr. Carters on leave. 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, Daniel emergedunshaven, red-eyed.
«What do you want?»
Silently, she handed him the results. He scanned them, face shiftingdisbelief, shock, horror.
«This… this is real?»
«DNA doesnt lie,» she said. «But people do. Especially ones like Robert.»
Daniel collapsed into a chair, a broken man.
«God, what have I done?» he whispered. «Jamie, he must»
«Hes devastated,» Emily said coldly. «How could you believe that, Daniel? After everything?»
«He was so convincing,» Daniel looked up, shattered. «The letters, photos… And weve been so distant…»
«Because youve been working non-stop. Not because I betrayed you.»
They sat in silence. Then, quietly:
«Can you ever forgive me?»
«I dont know,» she said honestly. «But for Jamie, Ill try. He needs his dad.»
That evening, Daniel came homeflowers for Emily, a new console for Jamie. Their talk was long, tearful. When they emerged, Jamie managed a smile.
«Its okay, Mum. Weve sorted it. Stuff happens.»
Margaret wiped her eyes and busied herself with dinner. Daniel approached Emily.
«I was an idiot. I dont deserve forgiveness. But I love you and Jamie more than life. Ill earn your trust back.»
She studied himhis tired eyes, raw honestyand nodded.
«Itll take time, Daniel. Trust isnt rebuilt overnight.»
«I know,» he took her hand gently. «But well manage. Together.»
A week later, Robert showed upnervous, sweating.
«Emily, Im sorry,» he babbled. «I never meantI was drunk, angry»
Daniel shut the door in his face. Then turned to Emily and Jamie.
«No one comes between us again. Ever.»
Emily smiled, feeling the storm finally pass. Thered be workrebuilding, talking, healing. But theyd chosen each other. Chosen family.
«I love you,» she said simply, pulling them both close. «My boys. The most important people in my life.»
Jamie groaned but hugged them tighter. Daniel kissed her head, whispering:
«Forgive me. Ill never doubt you again.»
Outside, a new day dawnedthe first in a long time theyd face together. A family, tested and stronger for it.
