Chapter 3

He was asking "Where's the child", not "Where's Christopher".

The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. Even he didn't believe Christopher was his son.

I took a deep breath. "Hanley, we've been married for four years and known each other for six. Don't you know who I am by now? Even if you don't believe me, you can't deny that Christopher is your son."

Hanley paused, his expression unreadable. "Four years? What does that prove? And besides, Christopher never looked like me from the moment he was born. Everyone around us says the same thing. How do you expect me to think?"

I was at a loss for words. I couldn't figure out how to reason with this family anymore.

"Fine. If you all refuse to believe Christopher is your son and your grandson, then let's go to the hospital and get another paternity test. Let's go now. I'll wake Christopher up," I said, determined.

As I turned to head for the bedroom, Hanley grabbed my arm, pulling me back with force. His voice was laced with anger. "Enough! Do you really want to drag this to the hospital? Are you not embarrassed enough? Do you want to make this public, let everyone know I've been raising someone else's son?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "What's so embarrassing about it? I have nothing to hide. If you don't believe me, then let's get another test!"

My voice rang out in the stillness of the night, firm and resolute.

Before Hanley could respond, Nicole cut in. "Why go to the hospital? The answer's right here in this report! Are you saying Kennard just falsely accused you? Or have you made arrangements with the hospital, waiting for us to fall for your lie?"

I stared at Nicole, shocked. Her words were harsh, full of accusations, and utterly ridiculous. This wasn't like her at all. She was usually patient and kind, never someone to cause such a scene. What happened to her?

Clenching my fists, I realized it didn't matter what I said anymore. No matter what, this family would never believe me.

The room fell into a heavy silence. After what felt like an eternity, Hanley finally picked up the paternity test results from the table, glancing at them briefly.

He tossed them at me. "It's all right here, in black and white. Christopher and my dad have no blood relation. If he was my son, why wouldn't he be related to my dad? What else do you have to say? Do you think the hospital faked this?"

I gritted my teeth, barely holding back my frustration. "I don't know what happened with that report, but I know something's wrong. If you trust me, then have Christopher take another test. The results will clear everything up."

Hanley let out a bitter laugh. "You really think I'd choose to believe you over my dad?"

His words hit me like a slap in the face, freezing me in place.

I had known he wouldn't believe me, but hearing him say it out loud… made my heart feel like it had been shattered.

I didn't want to argue anymore. Instead, I asked bluntly, "So what do you want to do now? Are you going to throw us out of this house?"

At the sound of my words, Kennard sprang to his feet, his anger palpable. "So you finally admit it! Can't hide it anymore, huh? I always said Hanley should never have married you! We've been taking care of you and raising another man's child for three years. What do you plan on giving us in return?"

Nicole chimed in, her voice just as accusatory. "Exactly. I work myself to the bone, treating you and your son like my own, and this is the result? Where's your conscience?"

I couldn't hold back my anger any longer. "When did I admit to anything? You all need to stop twisting my words! No matter what I say, you won't believe me, will you?"

Slap!

My cheek burned with pain as Hanley's hand hovered in the air, his eyes cold and distant.