My son isnt mine, declared David after fifteen years of marriage, thrusting a sheet of DNA results onto the kitchen table.
Again youll defend him! As if he cant answer for his own deeds! Emma whispered, her voice metallic, Jack is only fifteen, a child. They were together, they knocked a window. Its not the end of the world.
David scoffed. A child? At fifteen I was already earning cash during the holidays, helping my dad. And hewhat? Wandering with his mates, smashing glass? This isnt the first time hes landed in trouble.
Emma inhaled deeply, holding back irritation. Jack studies well, does his swimming. Yes, they behaved foolishly today, but
But again! You always have an excuse for his mischief. You know whats strangest? David leaned in, voice low. His behaviour its nothing like the way my family was raised. We respected our elders, never acted like this.
Your family? Times have changed, David, Emma shook her head.
Its not about the times, David turned toward the cracked window. Its about the blood.
Emma stared, baffled, but the moment was cut short by the front door slamming open. Jack enteredtall, thin, with tousled chestnut hair and grey eyes that mirrored his mothers.
Hey, he muttered, dumping his backpack onto the floor.
Dont you ever throw things at me again, David snapped.
Jack rolled his eyes. Come on, dad, its just a backpack.
Its not just a backpack, its your attitudeto things, to the house, to the rules, David clenched his fists. We got a call from Chriss parents about a broken window at school.
Jack glanced at Emma. We were just playing ball in the yard. It slipped and hit the window.
Slipped? And it was the headmasters office window?
How was I supposed to know it was the headmasters office?
And if youd known, would you have aimed somewhere else? Davids voice trembled with bitterness.
Enough, Emma, she interjected. Jack, dinners on the stove. Eat and then do your homework.
Jack nodded gratefully, grabbed his backpack, and headed toward the kitchen, while David watched him leave with a heavy stare.
Dont you think youre too hard on him? Emma asked as Jack disappeared through the hallway.
And dont you think you spoil him too much? David retorted. No surprise there.
What do you mean? Emma pressed.
Nothing. Forget it, he waved her off and left the room.
Emma stood in the middle of the living room, a cold shiver crawling up her spine. Lately David had become unusually irritable, nitpicking Jack over the smallest things. Their marriage had always been a tugofwarDavid accused her of being too soft, she claimed he was too demanding. In recent months a new edge had appeared in his complaints, a hidden resentment or suspicion.
The evening stretched in tense silence. Jack locked himself in his bedroom, David lingered in his study, and Emma tried to read, her thoughts tangled. The strange phrase about blood haunted her.
Later, lying beside David in the dark, she asked, Whats really going on between you and Jack? Why have you become so sharp?
David stayed silent long enough for Emma to assume he was already asleep. Then he turned, speaking softly, I just want him to grow into a real man. Responsible. Not like
Like who?
Never mind. Sleep, he turned his face to the wall.
Morning brought no relief. At breakfast everyone was quiet. Jack ate quickly and rushed off to school, skipping the usual lecture from his father. David stared at his phone, not looking up.
Ill be late today, he said, downing his coffee. Meeting with clients.
Alright, Emma replied. Ill sort dinner.
No need, he rose. I dont know when Ill be back.
The day crawled on. Emma worked from home, translating articles for a scientific journal. Normally her work consumed her, but today her mind kept looping the blood comment, Davids odd behaviour, the widening gulf between him and Jack.
Jack returned from school in good spirits, saying hed made amends with the headmaster and apologized for the window.
Weve decided to take a weekend job to pay for the glass, he told Emma while she sliced vegetables for a salad.
Thats a good idea, Emma smiled. Dad will be pleased.
Jack grimaced. I doubt it. Hes been disappointed with me no matter what I do.
Dont say that, Emma said, rubbing his back. He just worries about you, wants you to grow into a decent person.
Decent, like him? Jacks voice carried hurt. Who comes home and starts criticizing everyone?
Jack, Emma chided firmly. Dont talk about your father like that.
Sorry, he lowered his head. Sometimes it feels like he never loved me. Never did.
Emmas heart clenched. She embraced him. Thats not true. He loves you, he just isnt always good at showing it.
Jack shrugged. If you say so
David never came to dinner, nor did he return by ten. Emma tried calling repeatedly, but his phone was dead. It was oddhe usually warned if hed be late.
Jack went to bed while Emma lingered with a cooling cup of tea. At last the lock clicked and David shuffled in, reek of alcohol.
Where have you been? I was worried, she stood to meet him.
David looked at her with a strange, evaluating stare. Worried? Really?
Of course I was. You didnt answer my calls, you didnt tell me
Fifteen years, he cut in, swaying. Fifteen years Ive been the model family man. Worked, provided, never asked questions. And you
What? Emma felt a chill spread through her.
You know, David moved to the kitchen, collapsing into a chair, I always thought we had a good family. Not perfect, but real. I believed in you.
You can still believe me, Emma whispered. I never lied to you.
David smirked bitterly, pulling a folded sheet of paper from his pocket. Truth? Whats this?
What?
DNA test results. He spread the paper on the table. Your son isnt mine, Emma. Fifteen years youve been leading me on.
Emma felt the floor drop away. She grabbed the edge of the table to keep from falling.
What? Which test? When did you?
A week ago, he said, prideful. I told Jack we needed a precautionary test. He believed me. Today the results came.
Emmas hands trembled as she took the sheet. Medical jargon blurred, but the headline was clear: Paternity excluded.
This cant be right, she whispered. There must be a mistake.
Mistake? David laughed, but the laugh was hollow. Who is he, Emma? Whos Jacks father?
You, she said firmly. Youre his father, David. I never
I thought I knew, he shook his head. Fifteen years. And now it turns out Ive been raising someone elses child.
Emma stared, horror mixing with confusion. David, this has to be an error. Maybe the lab mixed up samples, or
Or what? he pressed forward. Or did you forget about a fling before we married? Or during? When you cheated on me, Emma?
Never! she cried, tears welling. I loved only you, from the start.
Then explain these results! David slammed his hand on the paper. Explain why the DNA says Im not Jacks father!
What happened? Mom? Dad?
They both turned toward the kitchen doorway. Jack stood there, hair mussed from sleep, in a tshirt and shorts, eyes wide with confusion.
Nothing, love, Emma said quickly. Just a grownup conversation. Go back to bed.
Dad, Jack echoed, his voice thin, whats going on?
Davids voice trembled. Whos your father?
Jack looked bewildered, shifting his gaze between his parents.
David, dont, Emma pleaded. Not with him.
Why not? David rose, swaying. He deserves to know. You deserve to know, Jack. Do you want to know why Ive always been hard on you? Because, deep down, I sensed you werent my blood.
Dad, youre drunk, Jack whispered, stepping toward the door.
Im not your dad! David shouted, sweeping a cup off the table. Look! He thrust the DNA sheet into Jacks hands. Proof that fifteen years of my life have been a lie.
Jack scanned the paper, his face turning ashen. Is this true? Im not hes not?
No! Emma lunged at him, hugging him tightly. Its a terrible mistake, Jack.
Do you work in a lab? David asked venomously. How can you be so sure its an error?
Because I know, Emma said firmly. I never cheated. I had no other man before you.
Jack pushed her away, panic in his voice. Who, then, is my real father?
A heavy silence settled. David sank back into his chair, anger draining from him. Emma pressed her hands to her mouth, trying to hold back sobs.
I want the truth, Jack said quietly. All of it.
Emma nodded slowly. You deserve that. Its just complicated.
Whats complicated? David sneered. Just name the real father.
Its not that, Emma sighed deeply. Jack, remember I told you about my sister, Nora?
The one who died before I was born? Jack nodded. In an accident?
Yes. She was pregnant when the crash happened. Seven months along. The doctors saved the babya little boy.
Davids brow furrowed. What does that have to do with anything?
It means, Emma met Davids eyes, Noras child is you, Jack. We were only just starting our relationship when the accident happened. Noras partner vanished after learning she was expecting. Her parents, already old and grieving, left the boy with me. I decided to raise him as my own.
David stared, stunned. So you rushed into marriage because?
Because I thought I could give him a family, Emma whispered. I loved you, David. I believed youd accept him.
Only you didnt tell me he wasnt mine! David slammed his fist on the table. You made me think I was his father!
I wanted to tell you, tears streamed down Emmas cheeks. Many times I was afraid youd leave. Then I was afraid youd hate me. And then it was too late. Youd already bonded with Jack.
Davids voice cracked. So youre not my mother?
Technically Im his aunt, Emma said, pleading. But Ive loved him every day of his life. To me, hes always been my son.
Jack stood frozen, trying to absorb the revelation. What was my real mother like?
She was beautiful, brave, talented. You have her eyes, her laugh. Sometimes when you smile I hear her voice.
And my real father? Jack asked.
I dont know, Emma admitted. Nora never spoke of him. All she said was that 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, Emma whispered. Scared of losing you. Then I thought the truth would destroy everything. You loved Jack; does it matter whose blood runs through his veins?
The difference is trust, Emma, David said, lifting his head. You made a choice for me. You didnt let me choose.
I know, she said, kneeling. Im guilty. But I loved you. I still love you. And I love Jack more than anything.
David stared at Emma, then at Jack, his anger softening. What do you feel now?
Jack shrugged. I dont know. It feels strange, like Ive become someone else.
Youre not someone else, Emma said firmly. Youre still Jack. You just know a bit more about where you come from.
Do you have pictures of my real mother? Jack asked suddenly.
Yes, Emma nodded. A whole album. Ill show you everything I remember.
David rose from the table. I need a moment alone. To think.
David, Emma rose, 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 muttered. You deceived me all this time.
Yes, I deceived you, Emma agreed. But not Jack. Hes been my son in every way that matters. Does biology outweigh what we feel?
David looked at Emma, then at Jack, his expression a mix of hurt and contemplation. You know whats ironic? I ordered the test because I kept noticing Jack didnt look like meneither in looks nor temperament. I was angry at him for not being like me. Turns out
Turns out I could never have been like you, Jack finished softly. Genetics.
Its not just genetics, David said suddenly, his voice steadier. I was wrong, too. Ive raised you for fifteen yearstaught you to ride a bike, helped with homework, drove you to swimming. I loved you. My anger lately was really on myself, because I sensed something off but didnt know what.
What now? Jack asked. What will happen?
David sighed deeply. I dont know. Honestly, I need time.
Emma, she said, stepping toward him, Im sorry. Please dont walk away. Lets talk when the storm passes. Were still a family.
David nodded. Well talk. Not now. I need space.
He headed for the door, then stopped. Jack, whatever happens between me and your Emma know this: these fifteen years were real. I was your father then, and in some sense I always will be.
When the door closed, Emma and Jack remained in the kitchen, unable to meet each others eyes.
Do you hate me? Emma asked quietly.
Jack lifted his gazegrey like Noras, like EmmasNo. I dont know. Everythings tangled.
Yes, tangled, Emma agreed. But one thing Im sure of: I love you, Jack. From the moment I saw you, tiny and helpless, in the hospital. You were my sisters child, but to me you were always my son. That will never change.
Will dad come back? Jack asked.
I dont know. I hope so. Hes a good man, Jack. Hes hurting now.
It hurts me too, Jack admitted. It feels like Ive become someone else.
Youre still you, Emma whispered, touching his shoulder. You just know a little more about your story. It doesnt change who you are.
Jack nodded, then hugged her tightly. Thank you for not sending me to an orphanage. For raising me as your own.
Emma held him close, tears spilling again. You are mine. Always have been.
That night none of them slept. They sat at the kitchen table, thumbing through old photo albums. Emma showed pictures of two girls who could have been twinsherself and Nora. She was a talented painter, Emma said, running a finger over a faded image. She dreamed of moving to London, of fame. I was the homebody, dreaming of a family.
Did she get both? Jack asked softly.
Yes, she smiled through tears. She got the one thing I never couldher son. And I got the one thing I always wantedhim.
When morning light filtered in, a knock sounded at the door. David stood there, unshaven, eyes raw but clear.
May I come in? he asked.
Emma stepped aside. David entered, finding Jack still leafing through photographs.
Looks like you both had a long night, he said, sitting opposite them.
Seems so, Emma replied.
David nodded. Ive thought a lot. Walked the streets until dawn. I was angry, trying to figure out what to do.
And? Emma waited, heart pounding.
And I realised, David looked at Jack, that nothing changed for me. You were my son for fifteen years, and youll stay my son, DNA test or not.
Jack looked at him, skeptical. Really?
Really, David smiled faintly. I was angry not because you arent my biological son, but because I was deceived, because my choices were taken away. Then I realized my choice was made fifteen years ago, when I fell in love with youtiny, helpless, needing a dad. Changing that now would betray everything we built.
He turned to Emma. Im still angry at you. I dont know if I can ever fully forgive. But I want to try. For Jack. For the fifteen years that were real, despite everything.
Emma covered her face with her hands, sobbing. Thank you. I dont deserve this.
Its not for you, David said firmly. Its for our family. For Jack. For everything weve created, even if it started oddly.
JackAnd as the sunrise painted the kitchen gold, they all quietly agreed that love, not lineage, would be the foundation of the family they chose to keep.
