Chapter 6 - THE DNA TEST DANIEL DIDN'T WANT
Daniel's carefully maintained story began falling apart when Chloe sought legal advice.
Her former husband had questions about the timing of her pregnancy.
Daniel had made promises about financial support.
And the child deserved clarity about parentage without being dragged into unnecessary conflict.
A formal process was arranged.
I wasn't involved.
I didn't attend appointments or request private medical information.
The only reason I learned about the result was that Chloe later chose to tell me.
Daniel was not the baby's biological father.
I sat quietly for a long time after the call.
The child was Chloe's former husband's son.
Daniel had spent thousands of dollars supporting a baby he believed was his, while concealing that spending from the wife and daughter who depended on him.
I expected to feel triumphant.
Instead, I felt exhausted.
Because the result didn't change what he'd done to me.
He had still lied.
Still betrayed our marriage.
Still taken money from Lily's savings.
Still tried to make me pay for his lavish celebration.
Biology couldn't erase any of that.
When Daniel learned the result, he called me repeatedly.
I finally answered after speaking with Rebecca.
“Jennifer, you won't believe what Chloe did.”
I stood beside Lily's crib.
“What happened?”
“She lied to me.”
I closed my eyes.
“About paternity?”
“Yes!”
He sounded furious.
“Can you imagine finding out somebody kept something that important from you?”
I stared at the phone.
For one extraordinary second, I wondered whether he could hear himself.
Then I said quietly, “Yes, Daniel. I can.”
He stopped talking.
I continued.
“You kept an entire relationship, missing savings, and a business account from me.”
“That's different.”
“How?”
He hesitated.
“Because I thought I was doing the right thing.”
I looked down at Lily.
“You thought helping Chloe justified deceiving your pregnant wife.”
He said nothing.
“Did you ever stop to ask what Lily needed?”
His voice changed.
“Of course I love my daughter.”
“Then show that through your actions. Follow the parenting arrangements. Contribute to her care. Stop using her as an excuse for your image.”
Daniel went quiet.
Then whispered, “Jennifer, everything's falling apart.”
I took a slow breath.
“I'm sorry you're hurting.”
For a moment, I heard hope in his silence.
Then I finished.
“But I cannot be the person who fixes this for you.”
I ended the call.
That night, Lily had trouble settling.
She fussed through two feedings.
The laundry remained unfolded.
My work email filled with messages I was too tired to answer.
At one in the morning, I sat in the rocking chair with my daughter against my chest.
I began crying.
Not because I missed Daniel.
Because single parenthood was hard.
Because betrayal didn't magically make the practical work easier.
Because I was frightened about rent, childcare, and whether I could give Lily the kind of childhood she deserved.
Then she lifted her tiny hand and touched my chin.
I laughed through my tears.
“Hey, little girl.”
She blinked at me.
“You and me, okay?”
Her fingers curled around mine.
I held her close.
May you like
And for the first time, I realized I didn't need to be invincible to be a good mother.
I only needed to keep showing up.
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