The disclosure that Zeryn’s mother makes at the birthday party for his daughter, who is seven years old, causes the entire celebration to be derailed and threatens to destroy everything that he has constructed. There is a blurring of family boundaries and a testing of loyalties, and Zeryn is forced to decide if love or biology is the true defining characteristic of a parent.
We had just about reached the midway point of singing “Happy Birthday” when my mother cleared her throat, her voice as harsh as a branch that had been broken. Even though she was still beaming in front of her cake, Vesper looked at her with her nose covered in frosting.
It was almost as if she was my wife’s twin. The same delicate cheeks that flushed in the light, the same dimples, and the same wavy dark hair that Auren had were all there in her.
Additionally, Vesper cocked her head in the same direction.
While I was holding Kaelix on my hip, I gently swayed him in time with the rhythm of the song. The cowlick, my eyes, and my hair were all in his possession. My ownership of him was never called into question by anyone.
On the other hand, Vesper was constantly questioned. My mother, Sylvara, is the greatest.
A piercing ping that sliced through the laughing like a blade was produced by Sylvara as she tapped her wineglass with a spoon during this moment. There was complete silence in the room.
while she stood proudly in her birthday crown, her hands clasped together, while she waited for the next surprise, Vesper’s smile remained, and her cheeks were pink from the excitement and cake she had consumed.
Sylvara stood straight and delivered the following statement: “I have something important to share.” Her tone was unduly sharp and deliberate in its delivery. Especially when it comes to Zeryn.
With me, Auren froze in place. It was as if she had extinguished a flame with her smile. She made an attempt to extend her hand to me, but I had already clinched mine.
When I said “Mom,” I moved Kaelix to a higher position on my hip. “Not at this time. There is no place for this. After my kid has finished eating her cake, we may discuss.
No attempt was made to look at me. Another time, she cleared her throat off.
When Zeryn and Auren were out of town a few months ago, the children stayed with me. Their parents were not there. My issues were something that needed to be addressed. As a result, I made the most of the opportunity to get answers. Authentic responses”
When Auren opened his mouth, he did not make any sound. Her eyes met mine, and they were wide, begging, and scared. As I attempted to settle her, I gave her a tiny shake of the head.
However, Sylvara was not finished. After retrieving a folded piece of paper from her handbag, she displayed it as if it were a trophy.
“A DNA test was sent in by me. As the grandmother, I assumed it would be appropriate to use my own sample, but I was wrong. Utilizing a strand from Vesper’s hairbrush, I made a comparison between it and hers. It was sufficient for the laboratory. On top of that, the findings validated my preconceived notions.
Breaths were held, awkward glances were exchanged, and the room was completely silent.
The expression on Vesper’s face was one of bewilderment as she turned to face her grandmother. After that, she glanced at me with her brows furrowed.
She asked in a hushed voice, “Daddy?”
The voice of Auren was strained and shaking as he addressed Sylvara. It’s enough that you’ve stated. Put an end to it now.”
She had not, however.
It was Sylvara who informed Zeryn that she was not biologically yours. Vesper is not your daughter, and I am at a loss to comprehend how Auren has managed to deceive you for such a long time. Now, however, we are all aware of the truth.
My gaze was drawn to my daughter. Her eyes blinked once, and then once more. Her lips moved apart, but she did not make any sound. Even before she became aware that she was crying, she felt a tremor begin to develop in her shoulders.
Her knuckles were pallid as she clenched her diminutive hands into fists. Her lower lip trembled, and she pulled her chin in as she attempted to contain the tears that were already running down her face.
After carefully placing Kaelix on the ground, I hurried up to her and knelt down to look her in the eyes, but it was too late. It ruptured the dam. The shaking of Vesper’s frail body was caused by her hiccuping, silent sobs.
While looking at Sylvara, I responded, “You had no right to do that.” This is inexcusable behavior on your part. What about during her birthday party?
“She had a need to be informed. Sylvara responded as if she were presenting a present, saying, “You needed to know.” It was necessary for everyone to be aware that Auren had been lying for years.
I drew Vesper into my arms and held her. Instantaneously, she arrived, her arms tightening around my neck in such a way that it was almost painful. From behind me, Kaelix began to scream, terrified by the tension and the sudden change in his sister’s expression from happiness to sadness.
Despite the fact that I was standing with one hand still on Vesper’s back, I said, “You are not doing this to her.” I am not here. By no means.”
“She’s not even an offspring of yours!” He yelled out, Sylvara. You are not furious with Auren, so why is that?
Simply put, “Get out,” I told them.
As Sylvara was taken aback, her jaw gaped open. She then laughed, her voice icy. Should I be excused, Zeryn?
I stood up and said, “You heard me,” while holding Vesper in my arms, but she was shaking. “Get out of my house as quickly as you can.”
“When it comes to being honest?”
The answer is no, since you humiliated a youngster on her birthday. for attempting to torment this family into pieces. In addition, Mom, for believing that blood is more important than love.
She looked around, prepared to receive assistance. Nobody offered to take it. Auren was holding Kaelix and rubbing circles on his back when I shifted my attention to him. Although her eyes were clear, she did not shed any tears.
Not at this time.
Sylvara walked away in a huff. It was so forceful that the door slammed that the cake knife shook.
I hugged Vesper and muttered, “Hey,” as I brought her closer to me. It makes no difference at all. Nothing can be altered by a single word.
During her hiccups, she sniffled.
I claim you as my own, Vesper. At all times. My possession has always been you.
Over my shoulder, she gave me a slight nod. So that was sufficient.
It was Auren who instructed the guests to “help yourselves to food.” “However, this party is now over.”
Following the tucking of the children into bed, Auren and I sat on the couch in silence. This occurred after the cake had become softer and the decorations had become droopy.
I am very sorry,” she mumbled in a low voice.
“Don’t,” I murmured in a soft voice. “You have nothing to repent of,” the speaker said.
“However, she… she caused it to sound like…” Auren had a sigh. “I am at a loss for words, Zeryn,” the speaker said.
“I am aware of how she made it convey the message. And it makes no difference to me what she thinks,” I stated.
“Are you…?” The sound of Auren’s voice was imperceptible. Would you like to discuss it right now? What is the truth?
My head slowly nodded. It’s true, Auren. Time has come.”
For years, I had misgivings, but these suspicions were never taken seriously. As a child, Vesper was mine.
When we first met, Auren and I were both young and reckless, and we were confident that our love could escape everything. Six months after we had moved in together, we got engaged eight months after that. And then, after two years, we went down.
After a breakup that lasted for three months, we both moved on in a chaotic and transient manner. Then, just as we had never intended to, we were able to find our way back.
The news that Auren was expecting a child came to her two months later.
It was close enough to the dates that there was room for doubt. From the very beginning, Auren shared everything with me. I told her that I did not want to take the DNA test that she offered. Not because of fear, but because I was aware of what was most important: biology was not the issue.
“You are my love. I am in love with our life. I had stated that I desired to have this baby, Auren. No matter what happens, this infant is ours to keep.
I said it now with the peaceful conviction of a parent who had experienced every instant of fatherhood since Vesper first opened her eyes. “She is mine,” I murmured.
Auren murmured, “I know,” as her hand found mine and she held it. “You have never spoken to her in an other manner. Also, Zeryn, who is the other guy? He is not qualified. Poor habitudes and poor decisions. Vesper is not someone I would ever want to raise with him.
It was with full intention that I said, “You don’t have to explain.” “I am the owner of Vesper. And that’s it. Nobody in my family is a member of my mother’s family.
Auren predicted that she would continue to attempt to poison this. You are aware that she will.
“She has already done so,” I acknowledged with a nod.
I was in the middle of preparing stir-fried noodles for dinner the following day when I received a notification from Facebook on my laptop system.
It was a post shared with the public by Sylvara.
“My son is raising another man’s daughter and doesn’t care!” she put there, for everyone to see, including but not limited to family, friends, coworkers, and strangers. Over the course of several years, his wife has lied… And he is quite content to cohabit with a liar! He is obviously being brainwashed.
She referred to it as a “wake-up call,” which was a warning to men about the fact that love might blind them to be treachery.
She did not only assault Auren; rather, she ripped into her, accusing her of being unethical and manipulative, and claiming that she had ensnared me with a kid that was not mine.
It was then that she incorporated a photograph of Vesper.
carrying a balloon from the celebration, with frosting on her chin and a crown on her head, she was in the middle of laughing. That tender and naive moment was transformed into a means of spreading shame. A flood of comments came in, with some defending Sylvara and others echoing her nasty behavior.
“How are you able to accomplish this?”
“Why would you want to show that adorable child’s face?”
It is my opinion, Sylvara! “Men need to be more discerning in their selection of partners!”
Strangers argued about who the father of my daughter was.
Yes, that was it. I failed to send Sylvara a message. Neither of us argued. I gave her a call.
She remarked with a smug tone, “I figured you’d see it.”
I spoke in a firm voice and said, “I want to be clear.” We no longer consider you to be a part of our lives.
My rage had been expended; I had just finished, and I felt empty in a final sense.
“Because I have been honest with you? To have stood up for you when you refused to do so?” she snarled. “Zeryn, you must wait till I locate her biological father. Auren is going to have to deal with this.
In a composed manner, I stated, “A lawyer will be involved in the case if you contact me, Auren, or the children once more.”
She yelled at him, “You are committing a lie in order to get rid of your real family.”
It was my wife and my children who I referred to as my “real family.”
I hung up the phone. I did not allow her to access.
That night, Auren and I sat together in the light of Vesper’s nightlight, but we were too exhausted to say much to one another. However, she raised her head and inquired, “Do you believe Vesper witnessed it?” The tablet is always in her possession.
To tell you the truth, I said, “I don’t know.” Her age is seven. I don’t believe that she would comprehend… But if she has any inquiries, we will discuss them with her. The same as usual”
During the conversation, Auren touched the spine of a storybook and stated, “She keeps asking if she did something wrong.”
“No, she did not. When I uttered it, my throat was tight. “We’ll keep telling her until it sinks in,” I added.
On the following morning, we did it.
We assured Vesper that she is secure. There has been no change at all. That love is not a test or a result on a piece of paper. It’s not usually blood that makes up that family; it’s the individuals that be there for you and comfort you when you’re in tears.
It’s only seven years old, so she doesn’t really understand it. It is my belief that she is aware of the truth.
At some point in the future, when she is older and looking back, she will remember how I held her that night and how tightly I did not let go of her.
They will understand that I meant it.
mostly due to the fact that love like this is not innate.
My kisses on scraped knees, the science fair posters we drew together, and the feverish evenings when she needed nothing but me are all things that come to mind. It’s the way that she quickly runs to me when she’s terrified.
She is the one who is calling me in the night when my nightmares get loud. In addition, I would walk through fire in order to prevent her from crying in such a manner once more.
Vesper was already mine, and I didn’t need a test to prove it. I only needed to take a look at her in order to see the most wonderful aspects of the life that Auren and I have chosen to create.
