“He’s not my son,” James Radford coldly remarked, echoing through the granite foyer.
Gather your belongings and leave. Both of you.” He pointed to the door stiffly. His wife, holding their baby, glanced at him with tears in her eyes. If only he knew the truth…
Storm outside mirrored mansion chaos. Kate was frozen with Liam in her arms. In their years together, her husband, James Radford, CEO of Radford Enterprises and heir to a family fortune, had never looked so angry at her.
“James, please,” Kate whispered. You don’t mean that.”
“I mean every word,” he replied. “That boy—not mine. I tested for paternity. Results speak for themselves.”
Words hit harder than blows. Kate could feel her legs shaking.
Did you conduct a DNA test without my knowledge?
He snapped, “I had to.” “He’s unlike me. Not my guy. I know the rumors.”
“He’s a baby, James! He’s yours. I swear by life.”
James was determined. “Your belongings will go to your father. Never return.”
Kate waited, hoping this was just a rant. However, his chilly voice dashed hopes. She left into the rain, heels clicking on the marble as thunder roared.
Kate was humble before marrying James, but she became a powerful and lavish woman. She was graceful, articulate, and courteous, admired by the media and discreetly loathed by high society. Nothing mattered now.
Her mind raced as the chauffeur drove her and Liam to her father’s rural property. She was loyal. She supported James through scandals, financial downturns, and his mother’s judgment. Now, ignored.
Daniel Monroe, her father, was astonished to see her at the front door. “Katie? What happened?
She fell into his arms. “He claimed Liam is not his… He ordered us out.”
Daniel’s face hardened. Come in.”
Kate adjusted to life without luxury during the next few days. Her childhood bedroom had few changes. Liam, blissfully oblivious, giggled and gurgled, bringing her small joy.
But she wondered: How could the test be wrong?
Kate drove into town and visited James’ private clinic to find answers. Some of her pals owed her favors. What she found chilled her.
The paternity report was altered.
James paced the mansion’s calm halls. He attempted to convince himself he did well. Nobody else’s child could be raised by him. But guilt persisted. He avoided Liam’s old nursery until one night, curiosity drove him there. Seeing the empty crib, soft plush bear, and little socks hit him like a tsunami.
No comfort came from his mother, Margaret Radford.
“I warned you,” she replied calmly over tea. The Monroe girl never fit in.
Even she was astonished when James didn’t respond.
Days moved slowly. One week.
A letter arrived.
Absent return address. Single sheet of paper with vintage photo.
James opened it with trembling hands.
James,
You erred.
Original paternity results modified. Unaltered version here. Additionally, this portrait in your mother’s study says everything.
—Kate
James examined the image. Aged, black and white. A young man resembling infant Liam stood by Margaret Radford.
It wasn’t him.
Yes, his father.
The likeness was obvious.
The combination of his mother’s hostility towards Kate, her subtle critiques, and the layoff of home help led to the false test.
She planned everything.
He leaped up, knocking over a chair. Fists tightened. He feared his transformation for the first time in years, not embarrassment or notoriety.
Driving his wife away. His son.
Because of a falsehood.
He broke into his mother’s parlor. Margaret scarcely looked up while reading by the fire.
“You manipulated the test,” he remarked coldly.
She raised an eyebrow. “Did I?”
I saw the initial report. Also, the photo. Liam looks like Granddad. And yours.”
She quietly closed her book and stood. Sometimes we must make tough decisions to protect our family legacy. That woman would have ruined everything.”
”You had no right,” he growled. “You ruined my family.”
“She never fit our name.”
He approached in rage. “You hurt Kate and Liam. You transformed me into someone I don’t recognize.”
Margaret faced him without flinching. “The world sees what I show.”
James bolted, slamming the door. He no longer cared about looks. Fixing what he broke was crucial.
Kate waited in Daniel’s garden as Liam crawled toward a butterfly. Though her eyes were still hurting, her lips smiled gently. She repeated James’s most powerful statements.
Her father served chamomile tea. “He’ll come around,” he whispered.
“I’m not sure I’d take him back,” she said.
I heard a car door close.
Kate turned and saw James at the gate, unkempt and remorseful.
“Katie…” Cracked voice.
She rose, heart racing.
“I was wrong,” he said. Extremely wrong. My mother interfered with the test. I discovered the truth after pushing you away.”
“You told me Liam wasn’t yours,” she shakily stated. “You meant it.”
“I did. And I’ll regret it daily.”
Carefully, he moved forward. “I wasn’t just a bad husband—I failed as a father.”
Liam lighted up and crawled toward him joyfully. James kneeled with arms open. The child stumbled and fell into his grasp. James hugged him, crying.
“I don’t deserve your forgiveness,” he muttered. “I’ll work my whole life for it.”
James was serious in the weeks that followed. He quit the company, left the family estate, and spent every moment with Kate and Liam. Though awkward, he learned to bottle-feed, change diapers, and calm tantrums.
Kate watched warily. Her wounds remained. Now things were different. He was there. Humble. Real.
James grabbed her hand as the sun set behind the trees one sunny evening. I know I can’t change history. But if you allow… I want to be here every tomorrow.”
She watched him warily.
I’m not asking you to forget, he said. Just trust me when I say I love you. As always, I loved Liam. Despite not knowing how to express it.”
Her eyes filled with tears. James, you broke my heart. But you’re attempting to fix it. Slowly.”
She approached. Stay for more than the good times. Stay for everything.”
“I will,” he promised.
Months later, Margaret Radford sat alone in her luxurious sitting room at the estate. Her influence declined. Truth about the faked test spread. Once devoted friends had gone frigid.
James, Kate, and Liam ran through the gardens laughing. A reunited family.
Not even Margaret could separate them this time.