Your boy isnt mine, declared David, slamming the DNA report onto the kitchen table after fifteen years of marriage.
Now youre defending him again! As if he cant be held accountable for his actions! shouted Ethel, her voice like steel. Arthur is fifteen, hes still a child. They were just goofing around as a group and broke a window. Its not the end of the world.
A child? David scoffed. I was already earning a bit in my school holidays, helping my dad. And whats Arthur doing? Running about with his mates, smashing glass! And this isnt even the first time he lands in trouble.
Listen, Ethel drew a deep breath, fighting her irritation. Arthur does well at school and swims. Yes, today they acted foolishly, but
But again! You always have an excuse for his mischief. You know whats odd? David stepped closer, lowering his voice. His behaviour doesnt match how my family was raised. We respected elders and never behaved like this.
What does my family have to do with it, David? Ethel shook her head. Times have changed, love.
It isnt about the times, David turned toward the broken window. Its in the blood.
Ethel froze, puzzled, but before she could ask, the front door slammed and Arthur burst intall, lanky, with tousled chestnut hair and the same grey eyes his mother had.
Hey, he muttered, tossing his knapsack onto the floor.
Dont ever throw anything at me like that again, David snapped.
Arthur rolled his eyes. Come on, Dad, its just a bag.
Its not just a bag, its your attitude to things, to the house, to the rules, David clenched his fists. We just got a call from Mrs. Clarkes husband. They told us about the broken window at the school.
Arthur glanced at his mother. We were just playing ball in the yard. It hit the window by accident.
Accidentally? David grunted. And that happened to be the headmasters office?
How would I know it was the headmasters office?
If I had known, would I have aimed elsewhere? bitterness edged his voice.
David, enough, Ethel interjected. Arthur, dinners on the stove. Eat and then get on with your homework.
Arthur nodded gratefully, grabbed his knapsack and headed for the kitchen. David watched him go with a hard stare.
Dont you think youre a bit harsh? Ethel asked as their son disappeared down the hallway.
And dont you think youre spoiling him too much? David retorted. No wonder.
What do you mean?
Never mind. Forget it, he waved his hand and left the room.
Ethel stood in the living room, a cold shiver crawling up her spine. Lately David had become increasingly irritable, picking apart Arthurs every mistake. Their marriage had always been a tugofwarDavid accused her of being too soft, she claimed he was overly demanding. In recent months a new edge had appeared in his complaints, a hidden resentment or suspicion.
Evening stretched in tense silence. Arthur locked himself in his room, David sat in the study, and Ethel tried to read, her thoughts tangled. The strange comment about blood lingered.
Later, lying beside David in the dark, she whispered, Whats going on between you and Arthur? Why are you reacting so sharply to his mistakes?
David stayed silent long enough for Ethel to assume he was asleep. Then he turned and said softly, I just want him to grow into a real manresponsible, not like.
Like who? she pressed.
It doesnt matter. Sleep, he turned his face to the wall.
Morning brought no relief. At breakfast everyone was quiet. Arthur ate quickly and left for school without waiting for a usual word of advice. David stared at his phone, not looking up.
Ill be late today, he said, finishing his coffee. Meeting with some clients.
Alright, Ethel replied. Ill sort something for dinner.
No need, David rose. I dont know when Ill be back.
The day crawled on. Ethel worked from home translating academic articles. Normally the work consumed her, but today she couldnt focus. The blood comment, Davids odd behaviour, the widening gulf between father and son swirled in her mind.
Arthur returned from school in high spirits, saying hed made up with the headmaster and apologised for the window.
Weve decided to get a parttime job over the weekend to pay for the glass, he told her while they chopped vegetables for a salad.
Good idea, Ethel smiled. Dad will be pleased.
I doubt it, Arthur muttered. Hes been unhappy with me no matter what I do.
Dont say that, Ethel brushed his back. He just worries about you, wants you to grow up right.
Whats right? Like him? Arthurs voice trembled with hurt. Someone who walks in and immediately starts criticizing everyone?
Arthur, dont talk about your father like that, Ethel warned.
Sorry, he lowered his head. Sometimes it just feels like he never loved me.
Ethels heart clenched. She embraced him. Thats not true. He does love you, he just isnt always good at showing it.
Arthur shrugged. If you say so
David never made it to dinner. He didnt return by ten. Ethel called several times, but his phone was dead. It was unusualDavid always called if he was running late.
Later, as Ethel sipped cold tea, the lock clicked. David staggered in, clearly drunk.
Where have you been? I was worried, she said, moving toward him.
He looked at her with a strange, appraising stare. Worried? Really?
Of course I was. You didnt answer, you didnt tell me
For fifteen years, he interrupted, swaying. Ive been the model husbandworked, provided, never asked questions. And you?
What? Ethel felt a chill settle in her bones.
You know what, David went to the kitchen, sank heavily into a chair, and pulled a folded sheet of paper from his pocket. Truth? Whats this?
DNA test results, he spread the paper on the table. Your son isnt mine, Ethel. Fifteen years youve been leading me on.
Ethels world tilted. She clutched the table edge to stay upright.
What? What test? When did you
A week ago, he said, smirking. I told Arthur we needed a precautionary test. He believed me. Today the results came in.
She took the trembling paper. The medical jargon blurred, but the headline was clear: Paternity excluded.
This cant be right, she whispered. There must be a mistake.
A mistake? David laughed, though no humor reached his eyes. Who else could Arthurs father be?
You, she said firmly. Youre his father, David. Ive never been with anyone else. You know me!
I thought I knew, he shook his head. Fifteen years. And now I discover Ive raised someone elses child.
Ethel stared, horrified. David, maybe the lab mixed up samples, or
Or what? he pressed. Did you forget a fling before we married? Did you cheat? Was there someone else?
Never! she burst, tears welling. I loved only you, from the start.
Then explain this, David slammed his hand on the paper. Why does the DNA say otherwise?
Just then Arthur appeared in the doorway, halfdressed, eyes wide.
Nothing, love, Ethel hurried, just a grownup conversation. Go to bed.
Dad, David echoed, whose son am I?
Arthur looked bewildered. What?
Dont, Ethel, she pleaded. Not in front of him.
Why not? David rose, wobbling. He has a right to know. You have a right to know, Arthur. Do you want to know why Ive always been so strict? Because deep down I sensed you werent my blood.
Dad, youre drunk, Arthur whispered, stepping back.
Im not your father! David shouted, flinging his cup aside. Look He thrust the test sheet into Arthurs hands. Science proves Ive lived a lie for fifteen years.
Arthur scanned the page, his face paling. Is it true? Im not?
No! Ethel lunged, hugging him. Its an error, Arthur. A monstrous error.
Do you work in a lab? David asked bitterly. How can you be so sure its an error?
Because I know, Ethel said firmly. I never cheated. I never had another man before you. You know that.
Arthur broke free, his voice shaking. Who, then, is my real father?
Silence fell heavy. David sank back into his chair, anger dissipating like a tide. Ethel clasped her hands over her mouth, trying not to sob.
I want the truth, Arthur whispered. All of it.
Ethel nodded slowly. Youre right. You deserve it. It will be difficult.
Whats difficult? David sneered. Just name the real father.
Its not about the name, Ethel sighed. Arthur, remember I told you about my sister, Nancy?
The one who died before I was born? he recalled. In a crash?
Yes. She lowered herself onto a chair. Nancy was my twin. We looked alike, but our personalities were opposite. She was bold, daring, always in trouble. I was quieter, homebound.
David frowned. What does that have to do with anything?
It matters because Nancy was pregnant when the accident happenedseven months along. Doctors saved the baby, a little boy.
The kitchen seemed to hold its breath.
What? David whispered. Youre saying
Arthur is Nancys son, Ethel said softly. We were just starting our relationship when it happened. Nancys father was a stranger who vanished after learning about the child. The crash took her, leaving the baby behind. I decided to raise him as my own.
So thats why you rushed into marriage, David muttered. I thought you were headoverheels for me.
I was headoverheels for you, she replied, pleadingly. I loved you and hoped youd accept the child.
Only you didnt tell me he wasnt mine! David roared, pounding the table. You made me believe he was my son!
I wanted to tell you, tears streamed down Ethels cheeks. I was terrified youd leave. Then I feared youd hate me. And then it was too late. Youd grown attached to Arthur, loved him as if he were yours.
Davids voice softened a fraction. So youre not my mother?
Arthurs voice quivered. Youre my aunt?
Yes, Ethel said, hugging him. Technically Im your aunt, but Ive raised you, loved you every day of your life. To me youve always been my son.
Arthur tried to process. What was my real mother like?
She was beautiful, brave, talented. You have her eyes and laugh. Ethel smiled through tears. When you laugh, I hear her.
Whos my real father?
I dont know, Ethel admitted. Nancy never told me. All I know is he ran away when he learned about the baby.
David buried his face in his hands. Fifteen years why didnt you tell me?
I was scared, she whispered. Scared of losing you. Then I thought the truth would only shatter everything. You loved Arthur; does it matter whose blood runs in his veins?
The difference is trust, Ethel, David said, lifting his head. You decided for me. You denied me a choice.
I know, she said, kneeling. Im guilty. But I loved you. I still love you. And I love Arthur more than anything.
David stared at his wife, then at Arthur, his expression softening.
What do you feel? he asked Arthur.
I dont know. Its all strange. Like Im suddenly someone else.
Youre not someone else, Ethel said firmly. Youre still Arthur. You just know a little more about where you come from.
Do you have photos of my real mother? Arthur asked suddenly.
Yes, a whole album, she replied. Ill show you everything I remember.
David rose. I need to be alone for a while. Think.
David, Ethel rose, I understand how you feel. Please dont make any rash decisions. Weve been a family for fifteen years.
Family isnt built on lies, he said slowly. You deceived me all this time.
Yes, I deceived you, she agreed. But I never deceived Arthur. I loved him as my own. Isnt that real? Does biology matter more than what we feel?
David looked at them both, then at the DNA sheet. The irony is I ordered that test because I kept noticing Arthur didnt resemble me at allphysically or in temperament. I was angry at him for not being like me. Turns out
Arent we all different by nature? Arthur finished quietly.
Its not genetics, David said suddenly, a new calm in his voice. Its been fifteen years of teaching you to ride a bike, helping with homework, driving you to training. I love you, Arthur. My anger lately was really at myselffor not seeing the truth, for feeling powerless.
What now? Arthur asked. What will happen?
David inhaled deeply. I dont know. Honestly, I need time.
Ethel, she said, stepping closer, Im responsible for this mess. Please stay. Lets talk when the anger fades. Were still a family.
David nodded. Well talk later. But know this, Arthur those fifteen years were real. I was your father then, and in some way Ill always be.
When the door closed behind David, Ethel and Arthur stood in the kitchen, unsure how to look at each other.
Do you hate me? Ethel asked softly.
Arthurs grey eyes, so like Nancys, met hers. No. Im confused. Everythings tangled.
Yes, tangled, she agreed. But Im certain of one thing: I love you, Arthur. From the moment I saw you in the hospital, a tiny, helpless baby. You were my sisters son, but to me you were always my son. That will never change.
Will Dad come back? Arthur asked.
I dont know. I hope he does. Hes a good man, Arthur. Hes hurting now.
Im hurting too, Arthur admitted. It feels like Im suddenly someone else.
Youre still you, Ethel said, gently touching his shoulder. You just know a bit more about your story. It doesnt change who you are.
Arthur nodded and, unexpectedly, embraced her. Thank you for not sending me to a childrens home. For raising me as yours.
She held him close, tears welling again. You are my son, always.
That night none of them slept. They sat at the kitchen table, leafing through old photo albums. Ethel pointed out two pictures of twin girlsherself and Nancyidentical in face but opposite in spirit.
She was an artist, Ethel said, running a thumb over the faded images. Dreamed of moving to the city, becoming famous. I was the homebody, dreaming of family.
It seems you got both, Arthur murmured.
Yes, she smiled through tears. I got the most precious thing I ownYou.
When morning broke, a knock sounded at the front door. David stood in the doorway, unshaven, eyes red but sober.
May I come in? he asked.
Ethel stepped aside. David entered, finding Arthur still looking at the photographs.
I see youve had a long night, he said, sitting opposite them.
Looks that way, Ethel replied.
David nodded. Ive been walking the city at dawn, thinking, raging. I was angry not because you arent my biological son, but because I was robbed of a choice. Then I realized something: fifteen years ago I chose to love youthe tiny, helpless boy. Changing that now would betray that choice. It would betray you, Ethel, and even Nancys memory.
Arthur looked at David, wary. Is that true?
Absolutely, David said, a faint smile appearing. I was angry at the DNA, not at you. I was angry at the deception, not at the man who raised me. Im still angry at my own foolishness, but I want to try to forgive. For the sake of our family.
Ethels hands covered her face, unable to hold back sobs. Thank you I dont deserve this.
Its not about me, David replied. Its about us. About the family we built, however unconventional its beginnings were.
Arthur spoke softly, Im glad youre my dad, even if not by blood.
David laughed, the first genuine laugh in weeks. Then lets forget genetics. Family isnt about DNA. Its about love, care, responsibility. Thats what Ive tried to give you all these years.
And so they learned that the bonds forged by love and choice far outweigh any thread of blood.
