A House Built on Secrets

My son is three years old, but he looks nothing like my husband.

My father-in-law, suspicious from day one, secretly took my son for a DNA test. The results came back showing that the two of them shared no biological connection.

Furious, he started screaming at me, threatening to strangle us both.

My husband slapped me hard across the face. You shameless bitch! You actually made me raise some other mans bastard for three years!

Staring at their ugly, contorted faces, I threw down a different DNA reportone between my father-in-law and my husband. It stated they were not biologically related.

They both froze, their jaws slack. I just smiled. It looks like were not quite sure who the real bastard is in this family, are we?

I was buried in work, drowning in overtime at the office, when my father-in-laws call came through.

His voice was a raw, guttural roar on the other end. Elina, you shameless woman! You get your ass home right now! This instant! If you dont, I swear Ill tell everyone what youve done!

He hung up before I could say a word, leaving me stunned at my desk.

I had just wrapped up my project anyway, so I grabbed my bag and rushed home.

The moment I walked in, I saw him sitting stiffly on the sofa. Two pieces of paper lay on the coffee table in front of him, covered in dense text.

I didnt pay them much mind. I slipped off my shoes and looked at him. Dad, whats so urgent?

He let out a cold, bitter laugh, his eyes burning with contempt. You dont know what youve done? You really need me to spell it out for you?

My patience wore thin. I have no idea what youre talking about. If you have something to say, just say it.

The next second, he snatched the papers from the table and slammed them against my face. Here! See for yourself! The worst day of our lives was when we let a woman like you into this family!

I looked down at the paper that had fluttered to the floor. A single line was printed in bold: No biological relationship detected.

And at the top of the report were the names: George, my father-in-law, and Aiden, my son.

My head snapped up, the realization hitting me like a physical blow. He had actually taken Aiden for a paternity test behind my back.

I was furious. Dad, I shot back, my voice trembling with anger, ever since Aiden was born, youve been muttering about how he looks nothing like Mark. I always ignored it, I never made a big deal of it. Mark has never said a word, so how could you secretly take him for a test? Hes only three years old!

But he was beyond reason. So what if I did? he roared. If I hadnt, wed still be in the dark about your dirty little secrets! Now tell me! Whose bastard is he? You made our family raise him for three years! What a disgrace! Mark is too trusting, but not me. If it werent for me, who knows how long you would have kept up this charade!

I struggled to keep my composure. Dad, I am certain that Aiden is Marks son, which makes him your grandson. I have never done anything to betray Mark. There has to be a mistake with this report.

My denial only fueled his rage. He hurled his glass to the floor, where it shattered. He pointed a shaking finger at me. Still lying! I took Aiden to the hospital myself! I watched them draw his blood! What, you think I own the damn hospital? You think theyd fake a report for me? If you dont believe it, Ill take him for another one right now!

I said nothing, my mind racing, trying to figure out where things had gone wrong. How could Aiden not be related to his own grandfather?

Just then, my mother-in-law, Helen, walked in with a bag of groceries. Seeing the tense atmosphere, she hesitated. Whats going on? I was only gone for a few minutes. Why does it feel like a war zone in here? What are you two fighting about?

George spat, The perfect daughter-in-law you picked out has been playing us for fools! Weve been raising someone elses kid for three years! I dont know where your head was at when you chose her.

Helen froze, her eyes falling on the report scattered on the floor.

I saw a flicker of sheer panic flash across her face. Before I could process it, her hand flew up and she slapped me hard. Aiden isnt our grandson? How could you do something like this? Mark has been nothing but good to you! How could you be so cruel?

George piled on. Call your parents! I want to know how they raised a daughter like you! Arent you afraid of karma for pulling a stunt like this?

I held my ground, my voice tight with suppressed emotion. Ill say it one last time. Aiden is Marks son. If you dont believe me, then wait for Mark to get home. He can do a paternity test with Aiden himself!

George just glared at me.

Helen immediately jumped in, her voice shrill. Youve been caught in your lies and youre still acting so self-righteous? Even when Mark gets back, he wont forgive you! Another test? The truth is right here in black and white! If Aiden was Marks son, how could he not be related to his own grandfather? What, are you going to bribe someone at the hospital to keep lying to us?

I was about to argue when Aiden padded out of his room. Grandpa, Grandma, Mommy, why are you yelling? Is dinner ready?

Seeing him, George seemed to lose what little control he had left. Whos your grandpa? Dont you dare call me that! Youre just some bastard! Get out!

Aiden had never seen anything like this. He burst into tears and ran into my arms, completely bewildered as to why the grandparents who usually doted on him had turned into monsters.

His crying only agitated George further. He yanked Aiden away from me and threw him onto the sofa, his hands closing around Aidens small throat. You dare to cry? Weve been too soft on you! Get out! Go find your real father! Get out of our house!

Helen just stood there, stunned, her face a blank mask.

Aidens face was turning a terrifying shade of red. I lunged forward, prying Georges fingers from my sons neck and pulling Aiden behind me.

Tears streamed down my face. Whatever this is, we can wait until Mark gets home! He can decide for himself whether Aiden is his son.

George finally backed off, shooting me one last venomous look before storming into his room.

I carried Aiden back to our bedroom and, with trembling hands, texted my husband, telling him everything that had just happened.

To my surprise, he didn't ask any questions. His only reply was four cold words.

On my way.

Staring at that message, a knot of dread tightened in my stomach.

It was nearly midnight when Mark finally walked through the door. Hearing the noise, I gently tucked Aiden in and slipped out of the room, closing the door behind me.

The moment I saw him, all the fear and injustice of the day came pouring out. Do you have any idea what your father did to Aiden today? Before we even know whats going on, he nearly strangled him! He wants to throw us out! Arent you going to do something? If I hadnt been there

Will you just shut up? I just walked in. Can you give me a second to breathe?

The cold indifference in his eyes made my heart freeze.

The DNA report was still on the coffee table, but he didn't even glance at it. It was as if he had already accepted the result as fact.

His parents emerged from their room, drawn by our voices.

Mark, youre finally home, Helen began, her voice dripping with drama. This family is falling apart! You need to ask her whose child shes been hiding all this time!

George stood beside her, his face a thundercloud, his glare fixed on me.

After a long, heavy silence, Mark finally spoke. Wheres the child?

He said the child, not Aiden.

In that instant, I knew. Even he didnt believe our son was his.

I took a deep breath. Mark, weve been married for four years. Weve known each other for six. Dont you know what kind of person I am? Even if you dont trust me, how can you not trust your own son?

He paused. Four years? What does that prove? Besides, everyone has said it since the day he was bornhe looks nothing like me. What am I supposed to think?

I was speechless. There was no reasoning with these people.

Fine, I said, my voice hardening. Since none of you believe hes your son, lets go to the hospital and do another test. Right now. Ill go wake Aiden.

I turned to go to the bedroom, but Mark grabbed my arm. He shoved me aside, his voice laced with fury. Havent you had enough? You want to drag this out at the hospital? Isnt this humiliating enough already? Do you want to announce to the whole world that Ive been raising another mans kid?

I laughed, a humorless sound. Whats so humiliating? My conscience is clear! Youre the ones with doubts, so lets get another test!

In the dead of night, my voice was sharp and unwavering.

Just as Mark was about to respond, Helen cut in. Whats the point of going to the hospital? The answer is right here! Are you saying your father is lying? Or have you already paid someone off at the hospital, just waiting for us to fall into your trap? Havent you deceived us for long enough?

Her words were so nonsensical, so completely illogical, I stared at her in disbelief. She was normally so gentle and reasonable. This wasnt like her at all.

What was going on?

I clenched my fists. I knew that no matter what I said now, they wouldnt believe me.

The silence stretched on, thick and suffocating. Finally, Mark picked up the report and gave it a cursory glance.

He threw it at me. Its right here in black and white. Aiden and Dad have no biological connection. If he were my son, how could that be possible? What else do you have to say? Or do you think the hospital faked it?

I gritted my teeth. I dont know whats going on with that report, but something is wrong. If you trust me, just do one more test with Aiden. The results will clear everything up.

Mark sneered. You dont really think Id believe you over my own father, do you?

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I knew he wouldnt believe me, but hearing him say it out loud was a new level of cold.

I was done arguing. So what do you want to do now? I asked flatly. Kick us out?

At that, George shot to his feet, his face purple with rage. So you finally admit it! The act is over, is it? I told Mark he never should have married you! Wasted three years raising another mans child! How are you going to compensate us for that?

Helen chimed in, Thats right! I worked my fingers to the bone for you two, treated you like my own flesh and blood, and this is how you repay us? Do you have a conscience?

I couldn't hold it in any longer. When did I admit anything? I yelled back. Stop twisting my words! Youre just looking for an excuse to blame me! No matter what I say, you wont believe it, will you?

Smack!

A sharp sting exploded on my cheek. My husbands hand was still in the air.