David handed me an envelope at the front door, his voice low. I did a DNA test. She isnt my daughter, he said.
Mrs. Harris, youve gone too far! shouted Helen Parker, the pharmacy manager, her face flushed. This is the third time this month youve broken the rules!
Mrs. Parker, I explainedI have a sick granddaughter, I cant leave her! Linda Harris pleaded, almost sobbing.
And what am I supposed to do? I cant keep finding a replacement every week! Helen snapped. We run a pharmacy, not a nursery!
Sarah Thompson lingered in the back room, pretending to sort boxes of medication. Helen scolded Linda for yet another unauthorized break. Linda tried to explain, tears brimming.
Give me one more chance! I wont do it again! she begged.
Thats exactly why its your last, Helen warned, pursing her lips. One more slip and youre out, no questions asked.
Linda nodded and hurried back to the dispensing counter. Sarah sighed. Working in a busy pharmacy was a grindconstant turnover, irate customers, a strict boss. But she needed the wages; there was no other option.
That evening she returned home, exhausted. The flat was empty. David hadnt yet come home from work, and their daughter Emily was staying with a friend to finish homework. Sarah changed into something comfortable, set the kettle on, and collapsed onto the sofa.
She was fortytwo, and lately she felt much olderpersistent fatigue, headaches, sleepless nights. Doctors blamed stress and handed out vitamins, but nothing helped.
Her phone buzzed. Emily texted that shed be staying with Lucy for dinner and would be back by nine. Sarah replied briefly, Okay, dont be late.
Emily, fifteen, took after her father: dark hair, brown eyes, a straight nose. David always boasted that Emily resembled him, not her mother. Sarah was fairhaired, greyeyed, with delicate features.
The front door opened and David slipped in, dropping his bag in the hallway, heading straight for the kitchen without a greeting.
Hey, Sarah said. How was your day?
Fine, he muttered, pouring water and gulping it down. Sarah watched him, trying to read his mood. He seemed unusually tense, his usual cheerful chatter missing.
Everything alright? she asked.
Yeah, he grunted, disappearing into the bedroom.
Sarahs brow furrowed. Something was definitely wrongperhaps trouble at work? David was a sales manager at a retail firm, and the industry could be merciless.
She walked toward him. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at a point on the wall.
David, whats going on? Youre acting strange, she pressed.
He lifted his eyes to hers, a cold distance there hed never shown before.
We need to talk, he said.
About what?
About Emily.
Sarah sat beside him.
Whats happened? Is something wrong with her?
Its fine with her. Its me whos not fine, he replied.
I dont understand.
David rose, opened a cupboard, and pulled out an envelope, sliding it across.
Read this.
Sarah unfolded the envelope, noticing a laboratorys seal. Inside was a sheet of numbers and tables.
What is this? she asked.
A DNA test, David said, crossing his arms over his chest. I did it a month ago.
A chill ran down Sarahs spine.
What test? Why?
Paternity. I wanted to be sure Emily was my daughter.
Are you out of your mind? Sarah snapped, rising. Of course shes my daughter!
No, David said calmly. She isnt. Look at the bottom. The conclusion: paternity excluded.
Sarah stared at the line. In stark black ink it read: Probability of paternity 0%.
This must be a mistake, she whispered. It cant be true.
Why cant it? Davids voice hardened. Maybe you have something to tell me?
What am I supposed to tell you? I dont understand whats happening!
Dont pretend. Youve been unfaithful. Emily isnt mine.
Sarah sank back onto the bed, her legs trembling, her mind a whirl.
I never cheated you. Never! she cried.
Then explain why the test says Im not her father.
I dont know! Perhaps the lab mixed up the samples?
David smirked. Everyone says that. The labs one of the best in the city. They dont make mistakes.
David, listen to me, Sarah pleaded, grabbing his hand. I swear I never cheated. Emily is your daughter, Im certain of it!
He jerked his hand away. So youd keep lying to my face?
No, Im not lying!
Fine, he said, pulling on his coat. I need to think. Im leaving for a few days. Ill stay with my mother.
You cant just go! We have to sort this out! she shouted.
Sort it out yourself. Im tired of lies.
He slammed the door as he left. Sarah remained on the bed, the envelope clenched in her fingers. It felt impossibleshe remembered every moment of her pregnancy, every night Emily was born. The love theyd shared felt real.
Tears streamed down her cheeks. What was happening? Why did the tests say otherwise?
Emily returned at nine, brighteyed and cheerful. Mum, hi! Lucy and I talked about the biology projectshe has a brilliant idea!
Sarah wiped her tears and forced a smile. Thats wonderful, love.
Are you crying? Emily asked, noticing her mothers face. Whats wrong?
Nothing, just tired. Go have dinner.
Wheres Dad?
Hes gone to his mothers. Shes got some things to sort out.
Emily shrugged and headed to the kitchen. Sarah sat, trying to gather her thoughts. She needed to act, but how?
She dialed her friend Rachel. After a few rings, Rachel answered.
Hey, Sue, how are you?
Sue, I need help. Can I come over?
Of course. Whats happened?
Its too messy to explain over the phone. Ill be there soon.
Sarah begged Emily not to leave and drove to Rachels modest flat in the next neighbourhood. Theyd been school friends for years, confidantes.
Rachel opened the door, worry etched on her face. Sue, you look pale! Sit down, tell me everything.
Sarah recounted the DNA test, Davids accusations, his sudden departure. Rachel listened, eyes wide.
He did a test? Why?
I dont know. Maybe he doubted us.
But you were happy, werent you?
I thought we were.
Rachel thought a moment. Did the test really say zero percent?
Yes. Zero.
Thats impossible! she exclaimed.
Sarah sank her head onto her hands. I dont understand. I never cheated David.
Rachel nodded. Maybe its an error. Labs arent infallible. You should do a second test at a different lab.
A second test! Sarahs eyes brightened. Yes, that could prove him wrong.
She searched online for reputable medical centres, found one with top reviews, and booked an appointment.
David ignored her messages. Emily asked about her father; Sarah brushed it off, saying grandma was busy and hed be back soon.
On Saturday Sarah and Emily drove to the clinic. Emily didnt understand why they needed a swab, but Sarah said it was just a health check.
A quick mouth swab took five minutes. Results would be ready in a week.
Why are we doing this? Emily asked on the way home.
Just a precaution, Sarah replied. Its good to keep an eye on health.
The week dragged on painfully. Sarah worked at the pharmacy, prepared meals, cleaned the flat, but the test haunted her thoughts.
On the fifth day David called. Hey. How are you both?
Fine, Sarah answered curtly. Emily asks about you.
Tell her Ill be back soon. I need to think.
David, I had a second DNA test done elsewhere.
Silence.
Why?
To verify. Im sure the first result is wrong.
Enough fooling yourself, Sue.
Im not! The result should be in two days. Come and well look at it together.
He hesitated, then agreed.
On Monday the email arrived. Sarahs hands trembled as she opened the attachment. The same line stared back: Probability of paternity 0%. She read it several times. Two independent tests, two different labs, identical verdicts.
That night David returned. Sarah showed him the second report. He examined it, nodded.
See? Same result.
But I dont get it, Sarahs voice cracked. I swear I never cheated!
Facts are facts. Emily isnt yours. So you must have been unfaithful.
No! Maybe theres something wrong with you? Some genetic quirk?
Dont be ridiculous.
David sat opposite her. Alright, lets think back. When Emily was conceivedautumn, right? We werent even married yet, wed only been dating for six months.
Yes, September.
Did you see anyone else during that time?
No! Only you!
Are you sure?
Absolutely!
David sighed. Then I have no idea what to think.
Sarahs mind raced. David, are you even my husband?
He stared as if shed lost her mind. What?
Maybe the hospital swapped babies? Could they have mixed us up?
Youre hearing things, he said. Kids get switched, but that was fifteen years ago. We brought Emily home from the maternity ward ourselves.
From where? he asked.
From the records I dont know! Could it have happened in the first days?
David shook his head. Youre making up crazy theories just to avoid the truth.
Which truth? That I cheated? Thats false!
Emily burst into the room. Dad, youre home!
David hugged her, his face tight. Hey, Em. Hows school?
Fine. Are you staying?
No, Im not going anywhere.
Sarah watched them, feeling the love between David and Emily despite the cold facts.
When Emily left, they were alone again.
David, lets see a specialist. Someone who can interpret these results, Sarah pleaded.
Thats pointless.
It isnt. Please. If a doctor says the tests are correct, then Ill… I wont know what to do.
He sighed. Fine. Find someone. But this is the last time.
Sarah booked an appointment with a renowned geneticist, a fiftyyearold man with a silver beard. He examined both reports.
So two independent tests, identical outcome? he asked.
Yes. I dont understand.
He studied the papers. There is a rare condition called chimerism. It occurs when an embryo incorporates cells from a twin, resulting in two distinct DNA lines in the same body. If a sample is taken from the tissue that carries the nonpaternal line, the test could show a negative result even if the father is biologically related.
Sarahs heart raced. So David could be my husband, but the test shows zero because they sampled the other cells?
Theoretically, yes. To confirm, youd need samples from multiple body sitesblood, saliva, hair, skin. If the DNA varies, chimerism is present.
Sarah left the clinic buoyed by a possible explanation. She called David, her voice urgent.
Chimerism? he repeated, bewildered. Ive never heard of it.
Its rare, but it fits. We need to take samples from several places and retest.
It sounds insane, David said.
Its the only thing that makes sense. Please, lets do it.
After a moment, he agreed. Alright. If it will calm you, well try.
They returned to the clinic. David provided a blood sample, a cheek swab, a few strands of hair, and a tiny skin scrape. The doctor promised results in two weeks.
Those two weeks were the longest of Sarahs life. She barely slept, ate poorly, and made mistakes at work. Helen Parker, the pharmacy manager, snapped at her repeatedly.
Thompson, youre making errors! This is the third mistake today! Helen barked.
Sarah whispered an apology, eyes glazed over.
The day the results arrived, Sarah and David sat in the clinics waiting room. The doctor entered, expression unreadable.
Sit down, he said. The samples all show identical DNA. No evidence of chimerism.
Sarah felt the floor drop out from under her. What does that mean?
It means there is only one genetic profile. No hidden twin cells.
The father isnt biologically related, the doctor concluded. The earlier tests were accurate.
David rose, a grim smile forming. I told you, Sue. The truth is out.
They left the clinic into a windy evening, leaves swirling across the pavement. Sarah walked beside David, words failing her.
David, I cant I dont understand how this happened. I swear I never cheated, she whispered.
He stopped, turning to face her. Enough, Sue. The facts speak for themselves.
What facts? she asked, tears welling. I remember every moment of my pregnancy. We were together. How can the tests be wrong?
It isnt about memory, David said. Its about DNA.
She stared at him, recalling the autumn of fifteen years ago, the hospital visits, the consultations. Then a vague memory surfacedan appointment with a specialist who mentioned a fertility treatment.
Wait, she said suddenly. Did we ever talk about assisted reproduction?
David frowned. What are you getting at?
I found an old medical record. It says I was advised to undergo artificial insemination because of infertility. It lists a donor, but the donors details are missing.
Dont tell me you used a donor? Davids voice cracked.
I thought it was your sperm. The doctor said it would help us conceive. I signed papers without reading them fully, Sarah confessed.
David stared at the floor. So Emily isnt my blood, but shes still our child. Shes ours in every way that matters.
Sarah fell into his arms, sobbing. I never wanted to hide this. I trusted the doctor. I never wanted to betray you.
David held her tightly. Weve built a life together. Emily loves us, and we love her. Blood doesnt change that.
They returned home, the envelope still on the kitchen table, a silent reminder of a truth that could never be erased.
Weeks later, Emily came home from school, eyes bright. Mum, Dad, the school is offering a genetics test for all pupils! We can discover our ancestry!
David looked at Sarah. Do you think we should?
Maybe not, Sarah replied. Those tests arent very accurate anyway.
Emily persisted. Please! Lucy already did hers and found Scandinavian roots!
David sighed. If you want to, go ahead. Well stay out of it.
Emily beamed, grateful for the freedom. The family settled back into routine. Sarah worked the pharmacy, David kept his managerial job, and Emily thrived at school.
Sometimes Sarah caught Davids gazewarm, forgiving, steady. He had forgiven her without a fight, preserving the family he loved. She realized that a family is forged not by genes but by shared moments, love, and commitment.
The memory of the donor remained a distant, unanswered question, but it no longer mattered. What mattered was that Emily was happy, that they were together, and that love had endured every test.
