At the funeral of my husband, I spot a strange elderly woman cradling a tiny infant. Odd, isnt it?
Nancys world flips upsidedown during Patricks burial when she notices a greyhaired lady holding a baby. The woman claims the child is Patricks daughter. Could it be true, or will even more shocking revelations await Nancy?
She stands beside the fresh grave, still unable to accept that Patrick is gone. He died in a car crash. A week has passed, yet hope clings to her like a nightmare she cant wake from. How could this happen?
With a heavy heart she heads toward the cemetery exit, trying to convince herself she must keep living. Suddenly a silverhaired woman with a baby blocks her path.
Are you Nancy? the stranger asks, while the infant whimpers softly.
Nancy stares at her; the woman is a complete stranger.
Yes. And who are you? she replies cautiously.
The woman introduces herself as Amanda and calmly says the child she holds is Patricks daughter.
Only you can look after her now. Her mother cant, Amanda adds quietly.
A cold dread settles in Nancys chest. She looks at the baby and instinctively steps back.
No! This cant be! Patrick was a faithful husband. He would never do this! she exclaims, then turns sharply and walks away. In her mind Patrick remains perfectno betrayal.
Watch out! a voice calls. Its Mike, an old friend of Patricks. She is so lost in thought she barely notices him.
Mike offers condolences. Nancy isnt in the mood for conversation, but she stays polite. After a brief exchange she hurries to her car.
The baby wont leave her thoughts. She tries to shake them, but when she opens the car door she nearly screams: the infant is on the back seat, crying softly.
Nancy glances aroundAmanda has vanished.
How did it get here? she whispers, turning pale.
Outside the air is brisk; she removes her coat and wraps the child in it. Then she freezes: a birthmark sits on the babys neck, identical to the one Patrick had.
Could this be real? she murmurs.
She refuses to believe Patrick cheated, but she needs the truth. She must find out whether Patrick is the childs father.
Nancy drives home, grabs Patricks comb with his hair, and heads to the clinic.
Good afternoon, Id like a paternity test, she tells the receptionist.
Sure, the results will be ready in a few days, the woman replies.
Can it be faster? Im willing to pay extra.
Theres an express option. Ill checkhowever it will cost more.
Fine, Nancy nods, handing over the samples.
Sitting in the waiting area, she tries to soothe the baby, which starts crying again. The diaper is dry; perhaps its hungry, she thinks. While waiting, she detours to a supermarket, buying infant formula, a bottle and nappies.
Back at the clinic she feeds the child in the hallway. Time drags. Finally a nurse appears with an envelope.
Thank you, Nancy says, taking the results.
She thinks, I have to accept whatever the truth is. She opens the envelope.
Her eyes widen as she reads: Probability of paternity 99%.
Nancy looks at the sleeping baby in her arms. Tears well up. Patrick has been unfaithful, living a double life.
She decides not to leave it at that. She will find the childs mother and return the baby to her.
Returning home, she rummages through Patricks belongings. She finds nothing that points to a lover. She then drives to his office, searches drawers, folders, personal itemsnothing.
Disappointed, she goes back home. The infant sleeps peacefully in the lounge. She picks up a baby monitor and checks Patricks car, the glove compartment, under the seats, every nookstill no trace.
Nancys life turns upsidedown on the day of her husbands funeral when, at the graveside, she meets an unknown elderly woman with a baby. The woman claims the child is Patricks daughter. Is she lying, or is this just the beginning of an even more shocking truth?
Nancy stands on the cold cemetery ground, staring at the spot where she just buried her husband. She still cant believe Patrick is gonehis fatal accident ripped him away. A week later her heart still clings to the illusion that he might return.
Gathering her resolve, she heads for the exit, ready to start a new life, when the elderly woman appears again, baby trembling in her arms, the infants soft whimper filling the air.
Are you Nancy? the stranger asks.
Yes. And who are you? Nancy says, eyes narrowed.
My name is Amanda. This is Patricks child, she says. The mother cant raise her. Only you can care for her.
What are you saying? Nancys voice trembles with anger. Thats impossible! My husband would never betray me! She spins and walks away.
At the gate she almost collides with an old acquaintanceMike. He offers sympathy, but Nancy refuses to speak. She politely says goodbye and heads to her car. When she opens the door, shock hits herthe same baby sits on the back seat, crying. Amanda has disappeared.
Nancy instinctively removes her coat and wraps the child. As she leans closer she spots a birthmark on the babys neck, exactly like Patricks. Her world shatters.
At home she finds Patricks comb, gathers his hair, and heads to the hospital.
I need a paternity test, please. Fast. Ill pay whatever it costs, she tells the receptionist.
The staff arranges an express test for a higher fee. Nancy hands over the samples.
While waiting, she comforts the baby, buys formula and nappies, and finally receives an envelope.
She opens it, reads Probability of paternity 99%. Her hands shake. Patrick cheated. Determined, she vows to find the mother and return the baby.
She scours Patricks flat, finds nothing. She checks his office, drawers, filesnothing. The infant remains asleep in the lounge. She inspects his car, every compartmentno clues.
In the end, Nancy discovers that the woman she met was Amanda, who tells her the mothers name was Eleanor Warren. Eleanor died of a heart attack days after hearing about Patricks death. Nancy realizes the truth behind the betrayal and decides to raise the child, Kate, as her own, hoping to find some forgiveness.
