My son isnt mine, I announced after fifteen years of marriage, sliding the DNA report across the kitchen table.
Youre defending him again! Always, every time, as if he cant be held to his own actions! I slammed my mug onto the table; tea spilled over the linen.
Dont raise your voice, Olivia said softly, though steel rang in her tone. Aarons only fifteen, hes still a child. They were all together, got a bit carried away. Yes, the window broke, but its not the end of the world.
A child? I sneered. I was earning my own money by the age of fifteen, helping my dad during summers. And what does yours do? Hang about with mates, smash glass! This isnt the first time hes landed in trouble.
Listen, Olivia drew a deep breath, battling irritation. Aaron does well at school, he swims. Yes, today they were foolish, but
But again! You always have an excuse for his mischief. And you know whats odd? I leaned in, lowering my voice. His behaviour isnt at all like the way people behaved in my family. We respected our elders, we never acted like that.
What does your family have to do with it? Olivia shook her head. Times have changed, David.
It isnt about the times, I turned toward the window. Its in the blood.
She froze, unsure what I meant. Before she could press further, the front door slammed and Aaron stalked intall, lanky, with tousled chestnut hair and grey eyes that mirrored his mothers.
Hey, he muttered, hurling his backpack onto the floor.
Dont ever toss your things at me again, I snapped.
Aaron rolled his eyes. Come off it, dad, its just a backpack.
Its not just a backpack, its your attitude. To things, to this house, to the rules, I clenched my fists. We just got a call from Kevins parents about a broken window at school.
Aaron glanced at Olivia. We were only playing ball in the yard. The glass got hit by accident.
Accidentally? I scoffed. And it was the headteachers office window, was it?
How would I know it was the headteachers office?
And if youd known, would you have aimed elsewhere? Bitterness crept into my voice.
David, enough, Olivia interjected. Aaron, dinners on the stove. Eat and then get on with your homework.
Aaron nodded gratefully, picked up his backpack and headed to the kitchen. I watched him go with a hard stare.
Dont you think youre a bit too harsh? Olivia asked as he disappeared behind the door.
And dont you think youre spoiling him too much? I retorted. No surprise there.
What do you mean?
Nothing. Forget it, I waved my hand and left the room.
Olivia stood in the middle of the living room, feeling a cold shiver run down her spine. Lately Id been more irritable than usual, picking at Aaron over the smallest things. Our marriage had always been rockyshe thought I was too strict, I thought she was too lenientbut in the past few months a new edge had appeared in my complaints, as if some buried resentment or doubt had surfaced.
The evening stretched in a tense silence. Aaron locked himself in his bedroom, I lingered in the study, Olivia tried to read but her thoughts kept looping back to my cryptic remark about blood.
Later, lying beside me in the dark, Olivia whispered, Whats going on between you and Aaron? Why are you reacting so sharply to his mistakes?
I stayed silent long enough for her to think Id fallen asleep, then turned and said quietly, I just want him to grow into a real manresponsible, not like
Like who?
It doesnt matter. Sleep, I turned my back to the wall.
Morning brought no relief. Over breakfast everyone sat in silence. Aaron ate quickly and rushed off to school, skipping the usual fatherly lecture. I stared at my phone, not lifting my eyes.
Ill be late today, I said, finishing my coffee. Meeting with a client.
Alright, Olivia replied. Ill sort dinner.
No need, I got up. I dont know when Ill be back.
The day crawled on. Olivia worked from home, translating articles for a scientific journal. Normally she could dive into the work, but today her mind kept circling my blood comment, my strange behaviour, the widening gulf between me and Aaron.
Aaron returned from school in good spirits, saying hed patched things up with the headteacher and apologized for the window.
Weve decided to take a weekend job to pay for the glass, he told us while helping Olivia chop vegetables for a salad.
Thats a good idea, Olivia smiled. Dad will be pleased.
Aaron snorted, I doubt it. Hes been disapproving of everything I do lately.
Dont say that, Olivia patted his back. He just worries about you, wants you to grow into a decent person.
A decent person like what? Aarons voice held hurt. Like a man who comes home and starts criticizing everyone?
Aaron, dont talk about your father like that, Olivia warned.
Sorry, he lowered his head. It just feels like he never loved me.
Olivias heart ached. She gathered him into a hug. Thats not true. He loves you, he just isnt always good at showing it.
Aaron shrugged, If you say so
I didnt show up for dinner, nor did I return by ten. Olivia tried calling several times, the line dead. It was oddusually Id let her know if I was running late.
Aaron went to bed while Olivia sat in the kitchen with a cold cup of tea, waiting for the lock to click. When it finally did, I trudged back in, the smell of alcohol on me.
Where have you been? I was worried, she rose to meet me.
I gave her a strange, assessing look. Worried? Really?
Of course I was. You didnt answer my calls, you didnt tell me
Fifteen years, I interrupted, swaying a bit. Fifteen years Ive been the good family man. Worked, provided, never asked questions. And you
What? What am I supposed to be? Olivias voice trembled.
You know, I moved to the kitchen chair, sinking heavily onto it. I always thought we had a solid family. Not perfect, but real. I trusted you.
You can still trust me, she whispered. I never lied to you.
I gave a bitter grin, pulling a folded sheet of paper from my pocket. Truth? Whats this?
Its the DNA test results, I spread the paper on the table. Your son isnt mine, Olivia. Fifteen years youve been leading me on.
Olivias world tilted. She clutched the edge of the table to keep from falling.
What? Which test? When did
A week ago, I said, smirking. I told Aaron we needed a precautionary test. He agreed. I got the results today.
She took the document with shaking hands. The medical jargon blurred, but the headline was clear: Paternity excluded.
This cant be right, she whispered. There must be a mistake.
A mistake? I laughed, though there was no humor. Who is he, Olivia? Whos Aarons father?
Youre him, she said firmly. Youre his father, David. I never
I thought I knew, I shook my head. Fifteen years. And now it turns out Ive been raising someone elses child.
Olivia stared, horror and confusion in her eyes. David, this must be a lab error. Maybe they mixed up samples, or
Or what? I pressed forward. Or you had a fling before we married? Or during? When you cheated on me, Olivia?
Never! she shouted, tears welling. Ive only ever loved you, from the start.
Then explain this result! I slammed my hand on the paper. Explain why the DNA says Im not Aarons dad!
A sudden movement at the kitchen doorway caught us both. Aaron, still in his school uniform, hair rumpled from sleep, stared at us.
Nothing, son, Olivia said quickly. Just an adult conversation. Go back to bed.
This is, Aaron repeated, looking from one parent to the other.
David, dont, Olivia begged. Not with him here.
Why not? I asked, standing unsteadily. He has a right to know. You have a right to know, Aaron. You should understand why Ive always been so strictbecause, deep down, I sensed you werent my blood.
Dad, youre drunk, Aaron whispered, edging toward the door.
Im not your father! I shouted, sweeping my cup off the table. Look I thrust the DNA sheet into Aarons hands. Science proves Ive been living a lie for fifteen years.
Aaron skimmed the lines, his face paling. Is this true? he asked his mother. Im
No! Olivia lunged, hugging him. Its a huge mistake, love. Well sort it out.
Do you work in a lab? I snapped, sarcasm dripping. So youre sure its not a mistake?
Because I know, Olivia said firmly. I never cheated. I never had another man before you. You know that.
Aaron broke free. I dont get it. Whos my real father?
Silence settled like a weight. I slumped back into the chair, the anger draining from me. Olivia pressed her hands to her mouth, fighting back sobs.
I want the whole truth, Aaron said quietly. Everything.
Olivia nodded slowly. Youre right. You deserve to know. Its justcomplicated.
Whats complicated? I asked, a bitter smile playing on my lips. Just name the real dad.
Its not about that, Olivia sighed. Remember I told you about my sister, Natalie?
The one who died before I was born? Aaron replied. In the car crash?
Yes, Olivia said, sitting down. Natalie was my twin. Same looks, opposite temperaments. She was bold, lived for the moment. I was quieter, homebound.
I frowned. What does that have to do with this?
Because, Olivia met my gaze, Natalie was pregnant when the accident happened. She was seven months along. The doctors saved the babya little boy.
Aarons eyes widened. You mean
Nathan is Aarons real name, she whispered. We were just starting to see each other when the crash occurred. Natalies partner vanished after learning she was carrying his child. Her parents, elderly and grieving, left me to raise the boy.
So thats why you rushed into marriage, I muttered. I thought you were mad about me.
I was mad about you, Olivia said, pleading. I loved you and hoped youd accept the child as yours.
You never told me he wasnt yours! I exploded, pounding the table. You made me believe he was mine!
I wanted to tell you, tears streamed down my cheeks. I was terrified youd leave. Then I feared youd hate me. And thenit was too late. Id already grown attached to Aaron.
Loved him, I echoed.
Yes, Olivia whispered. I loved him every day of his life.
Aarons voice trembled. So youre not my mother?
No, Aaron, she said gently. Technically Im your aunt. But I raised you, loved you as my own.
What about my real mother? Natalie?
She was beautiful, brave, talented. You have her eyes and laugh.
And my real dad? Aaron asked.
I dont know, Olivia admitted. Natalie never said. He ran away when she told him about the baby.
I buried my face in my hands. Fifteen years why didnt you tell me?
I was scared, she said. Scared of losing you. Then terrified that the truth would destroy everything. You were my husband, my anchor. I thought keeping the secret would protect us.
The difference is trust, I said, lifting my head. You chose for me. I wasnt given a choice.
Olivia knelt before me. Im guilty. I still love you. I still love Aaron more than anything.
I stared at her, then at Aaron, who stood silent, trying to digest the revelation.
What do you feel? I asked him.
He shrugged. I dont know. Its all strange. Like Im suddenly someone else.
Youre still you, Olivia said firmly. Just with a bit more of your history.
Do you have photos of my real mother? Aaron asked suddenly.
Yes, Olivia nodded. A whole album. Ill show you everything I remember.
I rose from the chair. I need some time alone to think.
David, Olivia rose as well, I understand what youre feeling. Please dont make any rash decisions. Weve been a family for fifteen years.
A family built on lies, I said. You deceived me all this time.
Yes, I deceived, she agreed. And Im sorry. But I loved Aaron as my own. And you loved him as your own. Isnt that real?
I looked at Aaron, then at Olivia. The irony is, I ordered that test because I kept noticing Aaron didnt look like me, didnt act like me. I was angry at him, thinking he was refusing to be like me. Turns out
Turns out I could never be like you, Aaron finished softly. Genetics.
It isnt about genetics, I said, surprising myself with honesty. I was wrong too. Fifteen years I taught you to ride a bike, helped with homework, drove you to training. I loved you. My anger lately was really at myself, because I sensed something was off but didnt know what.
What now? Aaron asked. What happens next?
I dont know, I admitted. I need time to sort this out.
Olivia stepped forward. Im responsible for this mess. Please dont walk away. Lets talk when the heat has passed. Were still a family.
I nodded. Well talk. Not now.
I headed for the door, then stopped. Aaron, whatever happens between me and your Olivia know this: those fifteen years were real. I was your father then, and in some sense I always will be.
The door shut behind me. Olivia and Aaron remained in the kitchen, hesitant to meet each others eyes.
Do you hate me? Olivia asked quietly.
Aaron looked up, his grey eyes reflecting both his aunts and his mothers likeness. No. Im confused. Everythings a tangled mess.
Yes, a mess, Olivia agreed. But Im certain of one thing: I love you, Aaron. From the moment I saw you in the hospital, tiny and helpless. You were my sisters son, but to me youve always been my son. That will never change.
Will dad come back? Aaron asked.
I dont know. I hope so. Hes a good man, Aaron. Hes hurting now.
It hurts me too, Aaron admitted. I feel like Ive become someone else.
Youre still you, Olivia said, gently touching his shoulder. Just with a bit more of your story. It doesnt change who you are.
Aaron smiled weakly and hugged her. Thank you for not sending me away, for raising me as yours.
She held him close, tears threatening again. You are my son. Always have been.
That night none of us slept. We sat in the kitchen, leafing through old photo albums. Olivia showed pictures of two girls who looked like twinsher and Natalie. She was a brilliant artist, Olivia said, running a finger over a faded image. Dreamed of moving to the city, making a name for herself. I was the homebody, dreaming of a family.
And she got both? Aaron murmured.
Yes, she smiled through tears. She got the love of a child and the love of a mother.
The next morning, exhausted from a sleepless night, a knock sounded at the door. David stood there, unshaven, eyes still red but sober.
May I come in? he asked.
Olivia stepped aside. He entered, finding Aaron still poring over the photographs.
Looks like youve had a long night, he said, sitting opposite them.
Seems so, Olivia replied.
He nodded. Ive been walking around the city until dawn, thinking, stewing. I was angrynot because you arent my biological sonbut because I felt cheated, robbed of a choice. Then I realised the choice I made fifteen years ago, when I fell in love with you as a baby, was real. Changing it now would betray everything we built.
He turned to Olivia. Im still angry at you. I dont know if I can ever fully forgive. But I want to tryfor Aarons sake, for the fifteen years that were genuine.
Olivia covered her face with her hands, unable to hold back sobs. Thank you. I dont deserve this.
Its not about you, David said firmly. Its about our family. About Aaron.
Aaron looked between them, unsure what to say. Then softly, Im glad youre my dad, even if not by blood.
David smiled, a genuine smile that hadnt appeared in ages. And youre my son. Forget the DNA. Family isnt about blood. ItsAnd as they gathered around the kitchen table, sharing memories and forgiveness, they finally understood that love, not genetics, was the true foundation of their family.
