My son isnt mine, the husband declared after fifteen years of marriage, thrusting a sheet of DNA results at her.
Youre defending him again! Every single time, as if he cant be held accountable for his actions! David slammed his coffee cup onto the table, spilling tea across the tablecloth.
Dont shout, Olivia said quietly, though the steel in her voice was unmistakable. Aaron is fifteen, hes still a child. The lads got carried away, broke a window. Its not the end of the world.
A child? David snorted. At fifteen I was already earning a summer wage, helping my dad. And what does Aaron do? Run about with his friends, smash glass! This isnt the first time hes got into trouble.
Listen, Olivia took a deep breath, fighting irritation. Aaron does well at school, hes on the swimming team. Yes, today they acted foolishly, but
But again! You always have an excuse for his mischief. And you know whats most astonishing? David leaned in, lowering his voice. His behaviour its nothing like the way we were raised. We respected our elders, never behaved like this.
What does your family have to do with it? Olivia shook her head. Times have changed, Dave.
It isnt about the times, David turned toward the window. Its about the blood.
Olivia stared, baffled, but the conversation was cut short when the front door slammed and Aaron burst intall, lanky, with dishevelled blond hair and gray eyes that mirrored his mothers.
Hey, he grumbled, tossing his backpack onto the floor.
Dont ever throw your things at me again, David snapped.
Aaron rolled his eyes. Come on, Dad, its just a backpack.
Its not just a backpack, its your attitudetoward things, the house, the rules, David clenched his fists. We got a call from Chriss parents about the broken window at school.
Aaron glanced at his mother. We were just playing ball in the courtyard. The glass got hit by accident.
Accidentally? David snorted. And it happened to be the headmasters office window?
How was I supposed to know it was the headmasters office?
And if you had, would you have aimed elsewhere? Davids voice held a bitter edge.
Dave, enough, Olivia intervened. Aaron, dinners on the stove. Eat and then get on with your homework.
Aaron nodded gratefully, scooped up his backpack, and headed to the kitchen. David watched him go with a heavy stare.
Dont you think youre being too hard on him? Olivia asked as the boy disappeared down the hall.
And dont you think youre spoiling him? David retorted. No wonder.
What do you mean?
Never mind. Forget it, he waved a hand and left the room.
Olivia stood in the living room, a chill crawling down her spine. Lately David had become unusually irritable, nitpicking Aaron over the smallest things. Their marriage had always been a tugofwarDavid accusing Olivia of being too soft, Olivia insisting David was overly demanding. In the past months a new note had crept into his complaints, a hidden resentment or suspicion.
The evening stretched in strained silence. Aaron locked himself in his bedroom, David sat in the study, Olivia tried to read but her thoughts tangled. The odd remark about blood haunted her.
That night, lying beside David in the dark, she whispered, Whats happening between you and Aaron? Why are you reacting so sharply to his mistakes?
David stayed silent long enough for Olivia to think he was already asleep. Then he turned and said softly, I just want him to grow into a real manresponsible, not like
Like who?
Never mind. Sleep, he turned toward the wall.
Morning brought no easing of tension. At breakfast everyone was quiet. Aaron ate quickly and left for school without the usual paternal lecture. David stared at his phone, eyes never leaving the screen.
Im going to be late today, he said, finishing his coffee. Meeting with clients.
Alright, Olivia replied. Ill sort dinner.
No need, he stood up. I dont know when Ill be back.
The day crawled by. Olivia worked from home, translating articles for a scientific journal. Normally the work absorbed her completely, but today she couldnt focus. The blood comment, Davids strange behaviour, the widening gap between father and son swirled in her head.
Aaron returned from school in high spirits, saying hed made amends with the headmaster and apologised for the window.
Weve decided to take a weekend job to pay for the glass, he said, helping Olivia chop vegetables for a salad.
Thats a good idea, Olivia smiled. Dad will be pleased.
I doubt it, Aaron muttered. Hes been unhappy with me lately, no matter what I do.
Dont say that, Olivia patted his back. He just worries about you, wants you to become a good person.
A good person like him? Aarons tone was hurtful. Someone who comes home and immediately starts criticizing everyone?
Aaron, Olivia said firmly, dont talk about your father like that.
Sorry, he lowered his head. It just sometimes feels like he never loved me.
Olivias heart ached. She hugged him. That isnt true. He does love you; he just isnt always good at showing it.
Aaron shrugged. If you say so
David never made it to dinner. He didnt return by ten, and Olivias calls went unanswered. It was oddDavid usually called if he was running late.
Aaron went to bed while Olivia lingered over a cooling cup of tea. At last the lock clicked and David stumbled in, clearly intoxicated.
Where have you been? I was worried, she said, moving toward him.
David stared at her with a strange, appraising glare. Worried? Really?
Of course I was. You didnt pick up, you didnt say anything
Fifteen years, he interrupted, swaying. Fifteen years Ive been the perfect family manworking, providing, never asking questions. And you
What about me? Olivia felt a cold freeze inside.
You know, David walked to the kitchen, sat heavily, I always believed we had a good family. Not perfect, but real. I trusted you.
You can still trust me, Olivia whispered. I never lied to you.
David forced a bitter grin and pulled a folded sheet of paper from his pocket. Truth? Whats this?
Whats this?
The DNA test results, he spread the paper on the table. Your son isnt mine, Olivia. Fifteen years youve been fooling me.
Olivia felt the floor drop away. She grabbed the edge of the table to keep herself upright.
What? Which test? When did you
A week ago, he said, smirking. I told Aaron we needed a health check. He believed me. Today the results came.
Olivias hands trembled as she lifted the paper. The medical jargon blurred, but the main conclusion was clear: Paternity probability excluded.
This cant be right, she murmured. There must be a mistake.
Mistake? David laughed, though there was no humour. Who is he then, Olivia? Whos Aarons father?
Youre him, she said firmly. Youre his father, Dave. I never
I thought I knew, he shook his head. Fifteen years. All this time Ive been raising someone elses child.
Olivia stared at him, horrified. David, this must be an error. Maybe the lab mixed up samples, or
Or what? he pressed forward. Did you forget a fling before we married? Did you cheat? When did you betray me?
Never! she cried, tears welling. Ive loved only you, from the start.
Then explain these results! David slammed his hand on the paper. Explain why the DNA says Im not Aarons father!
Mother? Father? Whats happening? they both turned as the kitchen door opened. Aaron, dishevelled from sleep, stood in a Tshirt and shorts, his face a mix of confusion and anxiety.
Nothing, love, Olivia said quickly. Just an adult conversation. Go back to bed.
Its your son, David repeated, echoing, but whose?
What? Aaron looked back and forth between his parents.
Dave, stop, Olivia pleaded. Not in front of him.
Why not? David rose, swaying. He has a right to know. You have a right to know, Aaron. Do you want to know why Ive always been so strict? Because, deep down, I sensed you werent my blood.
Aaron, youre drunk, the boy whispered, stepping toward the door.
Im not your dad! David shouted, knocking a cup off the table. Look! He thrust the paper into Aarons hands. DNA test. Scientific proof Ive lived a lie for fifteen years.
Aaron scanned the sheet, his face paling.
Is this true? he asked his mother.
No! Olivia rushed to him, hugging him tight. Its a mistake, Aaron. Some terrible mistake.
Do you work in a lab? David asked spitefully. How can you be so sure its not an error?
Because I know, Olivia said firmly. I never cheated. I never had another man before you.
Aaron broke free from her grasp. I dont get it. Whos my real father?
Silence settled like a heavy blanket. David sank back into his chair, the anger draining from him. Olivia stood, hands pressed to her lips, fighting back sobs.
I want the truth, Aaron said quietly. All of it.
Olivia nodded slowly. Youre right. You deserve to know. Its just complicated.
Whats complicated? David sneered. Just name the real father.
Its not about that, Olivia breathed. Do you remember I once told you about my sister, Natalie?
The one who died before I was born? Aaron replied. In a car crash?
Yes, Olivia said, sitting down. Natalie was my twin. We looked alike, but our personalities were opposite. She was bold, adventurous, always getting into scrapes. I was the quiet, homebody type.
David frowned. What does that have to do with anything?
Because, Olivia met his eyes, Natalie was pregnant when she died. She was seven months along. Doctors saved the babya little boy.
Davids mouth fell open. Youre saying
Aaron is Natalies son, Olivia whispered. We were just starting to date when it happened. Natalie was alone; the father vanished after learning she was carrying his child. Then the accident happened, her parents were elderly and devastated. I decided to raise the child as my own.
David muttered, So thats why you rushed to marry me I thought you were crazy about me.
I was crazy about you, Olivia pleaded. I loved you and knew youd be a good father.
And you never told me he wasnt mine! David slammed his fist on the table. You made me believe I was his father!
I wanted to tell you, tears streamed down Olivias cheeks. I was scared youd walk away. Then I feared youd hate me. And then it was too late. Youd already bonded with Aaron.
Davids voice softened. So youre not my mother?
Aunt, technically, Aaron whispered. But Ive always been your son.
What about my real mother? Natalie? Aaron asked.
She was beautiful, brave, talented. You have her eyes and her laugh. When you grin, I hear her voice.
And my real father?
I dont know, Olivia admitted. Natalie never mentioned him. All I know is he ran away when he found out about the baby.
David buried his face in his hands. Fifteen years why didnt you tell me?
I was frightened, Olivia said. Afraid of losing you. Then I thought the truth would only destroy everything. You loved Aaron; does it matter whose blood runs through his veins?
The issue is trust, Olivia, David said, lifting his head. The truth was taken from me. I wasnt given a choice.
I know, she whispered, kneeling. Im guilty. But I loved you. I still love you. And I love Aaron more than life itself.
David stared at her, then at Aaron, his expression torn.
What do you feel? he asked.
Aaron shrugged. I dont know. Its all confusing. Its like Ive become someone else.
Youre not, Olivia said firmly. Youre still Aaron. You just know a little more about where you come from.
Do you have photos of my real mother? Aaron asked suddenly.
Yes, Olivia nodded. A whole album. Ill show you everything I remember.
David rose from the table. I need some time alone. To think.
Dave, Olivia stood, I understand how you feel. Please dont make any rash decisions. Were a family. Fifteen years weve been a family.
A family built on lies isnt a family, he said, shaking his head. You deceived me all this time.
Yes, I deceived you, Olivia agreed. And Im sorry. But I didnt lie to Aaron. I loved him and raised him as my own. Isnt that real?
David stared at both of them, then sighed. You know whats ironic? I ordered that DNA test because I kept noticing Aaron didnt look like mephysically or in temperament. I got angry at him, thinking he refused to be like me. Turns out
Aarons genetics, he finished quietly. He never could have been me.
It isnt about genetics, David said suddenly, his tone steadier. I was wrong, too. Fifteen years I taught him to ride a bike, helped with his homework, drove him to training. I love him. My anger lately wasnt really at himit was at myself, because I sensed something was off but didnt know what.
What now? Aaron asked. What will happen?
David took a deep breath. I dont know. Honestly, I need time to sort this out.
Olivia, she said, stepping toward him, Ive hurt you deeply. Please dont walk away. Lets talk when the anger has faded.
He nodded. Well talk, but not now. I need space.
He moved toward the door, then stopped. Aaron, whatever happens between me and your mother, know this: those fifteen years were genuine. I was your father then, and in some sense I always will be.
When the door closed behind him, Olivia and Aaron remained in the kitchen, uncertain.
Do you hate me? Olivia asked softly.
Aaron lifted his gray eyesso like Natalie’sand answered, No. I dont know. Everythings tangled.
Yes, its tangled, Olivia agreed. But one thing Im sure of: I love you, Aaron. From the moment I saw you, tiny and helpless in the hospital, I treated you as my own son. That will never change.
Will Dad come back? Aaron asked.
I dont know, Olivia sighed. Hes a good man, Aaron. Hes just hurting right now.
It hurts me too, Aaron admitted. It feels like Ive become someone else.
Youre still you, Olivia said, gently touching his shoulder. You just know a bit more about your story. It doesnt change who you are.
Aaron hugged her tightly. Thank you for never sending me away, for raising me as yours.
She held him close, tears spilling over. You are my son, always.
That night none of them slept. They sat at the kitchen table, leafing through old photo albums. Olivia showed pictures of two girls who looked like mirror imagesherself and Natalie.
Natalie was a talented artist, Olivia said, tracing the faded photos. She dreamed of moving to the city, becoming famous. I was the homebody, dreaming of a family.
And she got both, Aaron whispered.
Yes, she smiled through her tears. She got the most precious thingme, raising you.
In the early morning, after a sleepless night, a knock sounded at the door. David stood there, unshaven, eyes red but sober.
May I come in? he asked.
Olivia stepped aside. David entered, finding Aaron still looking at the photographs.
I see youve had a long night, he said, sitting opposite them.
Looks that way, Olivia replied.
David nodded. Ive been wandering the city till dawn, angry, trying to understand what to do.
And? Olivia waited, heart pounding.
I realized nothing changed, he said, looking at Aaron. Youve been my son for fifteen years. That wont vanish because of a test.
Aaron stared at him, uncertain. Is that true?
It is, David smiled faintly. I was angry not because you arent my biological son, but because I felt betrayed, robbed of a choice. Then I thought about the day I chose to love youthe helpless baby. To walk away now would be betrayal of that choice, of you, of Olivia. It would betray the man Ive become.
He turned to Olivia. Im still hurt by you, and I dont know if I can ever fully forgive. But I want to tryfor Aaron, for the fifteen years that felt real, despite everything.
Olivia covered her face with her hands, unable to hold back sobs. Thank you. I dont deserve this.
Its not for me, David said firmly. Its for our family, for Aaron, for everything weve built, even if it started oddly.
Aaron looked between them, then whispered, Im glad youre my dad, even if not by blood.
Davids smile widenedthe first genuine smile in ages. And youre my son. Forget the DNA. Family isnt about blood. Its about love, care, responsibility. Everything I tried to teach you was real.
Olivia watched them through her tears, unable to believe the calm that settled over the room. She knew many difficult conversations lay ahead, many wounds to mend, but the essential thing remained: their family, however unconventionalIn the end, they all learned that love, not lineage, is the true foundation of a family.
