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The arrival of their dark-skinned kid sends shockwaves through the delivery room and brings Brent’s world crashing down. With their family on the brink of disintegration due to mistrust and treachery, Brent must make a choice that will forever challenge their love and trust.
It had taken Stephanie and I five years of trying, but we were finally going to have a family. Her demeanor stayed calm and focused as Stephanie’s fingers clamped down on my in anticipation of another contraction.
Our loved ones waited patiently at the door, giving us space to be ready but also being near enough to let them in as soon as the baby was born.
Squeezing Stephanie’s hand was my response to the doctor’s reassuring nod.
I said, “You’re doing fantastic, darling.”
Then, after a quick grin, the moment came. All of our hard work and aspirations will finally pay off now.
When I heard the first cry, a whirlwind of emotions swirled around me: pride, love, and relief. I didn’t know I was holding my breath until I let a trembling exhale.
As Stephanie took hold of our little, wiggling bundle, the nurse lowered it into her arms, and it seemed like the whole room shook. In her eagerness to touch our infant, Stephanie had extended her hand.
Stephanie stared at the baby, her face pale and her eyes wide with amazement.
Saying, “That’s not my baby,” she choked with a gulp. “That is not my offspring!”
Not knowing what to make of it, I blinked. “I don’t understand what you’re saying. Steph, what on earth are you talking about?
She still wouldn’t accept that this was really our kid, even after the nurse made it clear that they hadn’t cut the umbilical chord yet. She seemed to be trying to ignore it.
Brent, take a look! With each rising sentence, her voice betrayed her growing anxiety. “She isn’t doing it because… Not at all It was never me.
As I looked down at our kid, my whole life turned upside down. Silky locks and a deep complexion. It seemed as if the ground had abruptly separated from under my feet.
“What on earth, Stephanie?” It caught me off guard as my accusatory, ear-piercing voice echoed across the room.
As I peered over the corner of my eye, I saw our families, completely taken aback, staring at the nurse’s grimace.
“That is not my belonging!” Stephanie glanced at me, her voice quivering as tears welled up in her eyes. “That just isn’t feasible. There was no one else with whom I slept. Brent, you must have faith in me since I have never—
As everyone silently departed, leaving only the three of us, the air was heavy with stifling tension. Even if I ought to have remained, the treachery was too much for me to bear.
“Brent, please, wait!” From behind me, in a weak and frantic voice, Stephanie yelled out as I marched toward the door. “I beg you, stay with me. I assure you, I have never been in a relationship with anybody else. I’ve always liked you, dude.
The raw honesty in her speech stopped me in my tracks. I glanced in her direction. She was the one who had loved me for a long time and been there for me when I was down and out. At this point, is she being truthful?
I managed to speak out and say, “Steph,” despite my inner turmoil. I don’t get this. What precisely is the best way to describe this?
“Brent, you must believe me even though you don’t comprehend.”
As I faced her once again, I gazed at the baby in her arms with genuine interest. I was still taken aback by the hair and skin. My eyes were her tool, I understood at that moment. Additionally, her left cheek had a dimple similar to mine.
I leaned in closer to Steph and reached up to kiss her on the cheek. “I am here, indeed. I will not abandon you, even if I do not understand what is happening. We will collaborate to find a solution to this.
She collapsed against me, her eyes watering, and I clung to my wife and kid. After what seemed like an eternity of us going back and forth like that, Stephanie finally slept out. The lengthy hours of labor and the stress of our baby’s sudden arrival had taken their toll on her.
I said to myself, “I just need a minute,” as I gently freed myself from their grasp. I will be right back.
Stephanie turned to face me, nodding, her red and swollen eyes betraying her expression. I knew she was scared I wouldn’t come back, but I still had to get out of there. Not with my mind running like that.
I went out into the hallway, taking a big breath, and the door clicked gently behind me, but it didn’t help. I need more than just air. My life had just been torn apart, and I needed answers, explanation, and a method to make sense of it all.
“Brent,” a voice that was both familiar and piercing cried out to me, slashing through my thoughts like a scalpel.
At the end of the corridor, I glanced up and saw my mother standing by the window, arms crossed over her chest. Her harsh, condemning words used to give me the willies whenever I felt bad about my childhood mistakes.
I called out to my mother, but my voice was cold and artificial. No amount of lecturing from her would have been bearable for me at that point in time.
Very little time was spent on her. “Brent, you won’t be able to remain with her after this. It was the baby that you watched. Those aren’t your children. Doing so is impossible.
Surely she is my offspring. My voice dipped because, to be quite honest, I was uncertain. Not at this time. I felt like I was being eaten alive by that uncertainty, God.
With her pupils becoming more narrow, Mom inched closer. Hey Brent, you can’t act that naive. It is imperative that you recognize Stephanie’s deceitful behavior. No matter how much you try to hide it, I can tell you adore her.
The words she chose to use hit like a ton of bricks. had an affair with. I wanted to scold my mom so badly, but I couldn’t bring myself to speak. Reason being, a little, vicious voice inside me hinted that maybe she had a point.
“Mom, I…” “I don’t know,” I said as I felt the floor give way under me. “I don’t know what to think right now.”
As her face softened a little, she extended her hand to stroke my arm. “Brent, you need to separate yourself from her. You are not deserving of this. She clearly isn’t who you thought she was.
With a shake of my head, I moved away from her. My bad, you just don’t understand it. In this, it’s not just about me. You can see my wife and daughter in that image. I can’t just up and go.
My mother gave me the weak-kneed look. “Brent, making bad decisions is sometimes necessary for your own good. You should be informed of the truth.
I shifted my gaze away from her. It is true that the truth is due to me. But until I receive it, I will not make any decisions. I will look into this carefully, Mom. And I’ll handle whatever I find out. But I’m not giving up on Stephanie until then.
She let out a sigh, obviously not pleased with my answer, but she didn’t press the issue. Brent, just exercise caution. Remember not to let your feelings for her cloud your judgment.
I turned and left after that. Considering how many doubts I already had, I was unable to sit there and listen to any more of hers. I walked down to the genetics department of the hospital, each step feeling more taxing than the last.
My heart was thumping in my chest by the time I got to the office, a constant reminder of what was at risk.
The physician explained the DNA test procedure in a cool, collected manner, treating it like any other standard examination. However, it was anything but ordinary for me.
They swabbed the inside of my cheek, took my blood, and assured me that they would have the results as soon as possible.
I paced the cramped waiting area for hours on end, mentally going over everything. I couldn’t stop picturing Stephanie’s face and the way she was staring at me, pleading with me to believe her.
And the child with my dimples and eyes. Those details were like a lifeline to my heart. However, I would hear my mother’s voice in my mind telling me that I was foolish for not realizing the situation.
At last, there was a call. The sound of blood roaring in my ears was so loud that I could hardly hear the doctor. Then, though, the words “The test confirms that you are the biological father” broke through the background chatter.
First, relief washed over me like a wave, and then I felt a sharp guilt that made my breath catch. How was I ever to doubt her? How could I have allowed those doubtful thoughts to germinate in my mind?
However, the doctor wasn’t done.
She gave an explanation of recessive genes and how a child could exhibit features that have been passed down through generations. Scientifically speaking, it made sense, but it didn’t make my guilt about not believing Stephanie go away.
Even though the truth was now obvious, it didn’t lessen my sense of foolishness. I had allowed uncertainty to seep in and ruin the day that ought to have been the happiest of our lives.
With the results clutched in my hand like a lifeline, I headed back to the room.
Stephanie looked up at me when I opened the door, hope shining in her eyes that I didn’t deserve. In three swift steps, I crossed the room and extended the paper to her.
She read with trembling hands, and then broke down, tears of relief running down her cheeks.
I muttered, “I’m sorry,” my voice full of emotion. I apologize for my doubts about you.
With a dismissive gesture, she drew me in and tucked our daughter in between us. “Now we’ll be alright,” she muttered.
I silently vowed to protect my family no matter what happened to us or who tried to break us up as I held them both. I would never again allow doubt or judgment to stand between my wife and my child.
