I never imagined the man I lovedthe father of my childwould ever look me in the eye and question whether our son was really his. And yet there I was, sitting on our cream sofa, holding our little boy while my husband and his parents hurled accusations like arrows.
It all started with a glance. When my mother-in-law, Margaret, first laid eyes on Oliver in the hospital, she frowned. Whispering to my husband, James, while she thought I was asleep, she muttered, He doesnt look like a Bennett. I pretended not to hear, but her words stung worse than the stitches from my C-section.
At first, James brushed it off. We joked about how newborns change so fast, how Oliver had my lips and Jamess brow. But that seed of doubt had been planted, and Margaret watered it every chance she got.
Funny, James had green eyes as a baby, shed say pointedly, holding Oliver up to the window. Odd that Olivers are so brown, isnt it?
One evening, when Oliver was three months old, James came home late. I was on the sofa feeding him, my hair a mess, exhaustion clinging to me like a damp coat. He didnt even kiss me hellojust stood there, arms folded.
We need to talk, he said.
I already knew.
Mum and Dad think we should do a DNA test. Just to be sure.
To be sure? My voice cracked. You think Ive been unfaithful?
James shifted awkwardly. No, Lily. But theyre worried. I just want to put this to restfor everyone.
My stomach dropped. *For everyone*. Not for me. Not for Oliver. For *them*.
Fine, I said after a long pause, swallowing my tears. You want a test? Youll get one. But I want something in return.
James frowned. Like what?
If I agree to this insult, then you promiseright now, in front of your parentsthat anyone who still doubts me after this is cut off for good.
He hesitated. Behind him, Margaret stiffened, arms crossed, lips pressed tight.
And if I say no?
I met his eyes, feeling Olivers soft breaths against my chest. Then you can all leave. Dont bother coming back.
The silence was thick. Margaret opened her mouth to argue, but James shot her a look. He knew I wasnt bluffing. He *knew* Id never betrayed him. Oliver was his sonhis spitting image, if only hed stop seeing him through his mothers poison.
Alright, James finally said, running a hand through his hair. Well do the test. And if it proves what you say, thats the end of it. No more nonsense.
Margaret looked like shed bitten into a sour apple. This is absurd, she hissed. If youve got nothing to hide
Ive got *nothing* to hide, I snapped. But you doyour spite, your constant interference. It ends the second those results come back. Or youll never see your son or grandson again.
James winced but stayed quiet.
Two days later, the test was done. A nurse swabbed Olivers tiny mouth while he fussed in my arms. James did his, face tight. That night, I held Oliver close, rocking him gently, whispering sorrys he couldnt understand.
I barely slept. James dozed on the sofa. I couldnt stand having him in our bed while he doubted meand our baby.
When the results arrived, James read them first. He dropped to his knees in front of me, hands shaking. Lily Christ, Im so sorry. I never shouldve
Dont apologise to me, I said coldly, lifting Oliver from his cot and settling him on my lap. Apologise to your son. And to yourself. Because you lost something you cant get back.
But the fight wasnt over. The test was just the start.
James stayed on his knees, clutching the proof of what he shouldve always known. His eyes were red, but I felt nothingno warmth, no sympathy. Just hollow where trust used to be.
Behind him, Margaret and my father-in-law, Henry, stood frozen. Margarets lips were pressed so thin theyd gone white. She couldnt even look at me. *Good*.
You promised, I said calmly, rocking Oliver, who cooed happily, oblivious to the storm. You said if the test cleared things up, youd cut out anyone who still doubted me.
James swallowed hard. Lily, come on. Shes my mum. She was just concerned
Concerned? I laughed sharply, making Oliver blink. I kissed his downy head. She poisoned you against your own wife and child. Called me a liarall because she cant stand not controlling your life.
Margaret stepped forward, voice trembling. Lily, dont be ridiculous. We only did what any decent family would. We had to be certain
No, I cut in. Decent families trust each other. Decent husbands dont make their wives prove their children are theirs. You wanted proof? Youve got it. Now youll get something else.
James stared at me, confused. Lily, what are you on about?
I took a deep breath, feeling Olivers heartbeat against my chest. I want all of you out. Now.
Margaret gasped. Henry spluttered. Jamess jaw dropped. *What?* Lily, you cantthis is *our* home
No, I said firmly. Its Olivers home. Mine and his. And you three shattered it. You humiliated me. You will *not* raise my son where his mothers called a liar.
James stood, anger replacing guilt. Lily, be reasonable
I *was* reasonable, I snapped. When I agreed to that vile test. When I bit my tongue as your mum criticised my cooking, my hair, my family. I was reasonable letting her into our lives at all.
I stood, holding Oliver tighter. But Im done. You want to stay? Fine. Your parents leave. Today. Or you *all* leave.
Margarets voice turned shrill. James! Youre really letting her do this? To your own *mother*
James looked at me, then at Oliver, then at the floor. For the first time in years, he looked like a lost boy in his own house. He turned to Margaret and Henry. Mum. Dad. Maybe you should go.
The silence shattered Margarets composure. Her face twisted with fury. Henry put a hand on her shoulder, but she shook him off.
This is *her* doing, she spat at James. Dont expect forgiveness.
She turned to me, eyes sharp as glass. Youll regret this. You think youve won, but youll regret it when he comes crawling back.
I smiled. Goodbye, Margaret.
Minutes later, Henry grabbed their coats, muttering apologies James couldnt answer. Margaret left without a backward glance. When the door shut, the house felt biggeremptier, but lighter.
James sank onto the sofa, staring at his hands. He looked up at me, voice barely a whisper. Lily Im sorry. I shouldve defended youdefended *us*.
I nodded. Yeah. You shouldve.
He reached for my hand. I let him hold it for a secondjust a secondthen pulled away. James, I dont know if I can forgive this. You broke my trust. In you, in them.
Tears filled his eyes. Tell me what to do. Ill do anything.
I looked down at Oliver, who yawned and curled his tiny fingers around my jumper. Start by earning it back. Be the father he deserves. Be the husband I deserveif you want that chance. And if you *ever* let them near me or Oliver without my say-so, youll lose us for good. Understood?
James nodded, shoulders slumping. Understood.
In the weeks that followed, things shifted. Margaret called, begged, ragedI ignored her. James did too. He came home early, took Oliver for walks so I could nap, cooked dinners. He looked at our son like he was seeing him properly for the first timebecause maybe he was.
Trust isnt rebuilt overnight. Some nights I lie awake wondering if Ill ever see James the same way. But every morning, watching him feed Oliver toast or make him giggle, I thinkmaybe, just maybewell be alright.
Were not perfect. But were ours. And thats enough.
