I thought it was a cruel joke when my mother-in-law gave my husband a DNA test kit on our daughter’s first birthday. What followed altered everything by revealing a family secret that had been kept for decades.
Kayla is my name. Jason and I have a kid named Ava, and I am 28 years old. We threw her a birthday party last weekend as she just turned one.
It was meant to be a pleasant, joyful recollection that we could cherish with pictures and smiles. Rather, it concluded with shouting, broken glass, and the two of us leaving while everyone looked on in disbelief. And my mother-in-law’s gift was the catalyst for it all.
I’ve been married to Jason for three years. He’s 32, quiet, considerate, and always tries to maintain order. Even when it’s necessary, he dislikes conflict.
His mother, Sandra, comes next. She made it apparent to me right away that I wasn’t what she wanted for her son.
But I persisted in attempting. I didn’t have many family members of my own and lost my parents when I was young. I remained courteous because I wanted to be a member of his family. I allowed mom to refer to Ava as “my baby” despite my discomfort, smiled at her, helped clean up after dinners, and bit my tongue when she made remarks.
Peace, not distance, was what I want. I accepted her offer to throw Ava’s first birthday celebration.
She said, “I’ll handle decorations,” and I accepted. Fantastic. I am going to bring the cake. Jason promised to grill, so I made Ava’s smash cake, which is vanilla with a delicate pink icing that’s perfect for sloppy fingers. It was sunny and comfortable outside. With its “One-derland” flag and pink streamers, Sandra’s backyard looked lovely. For the children, she even had little paper crowns.
Jason’s family made up the majority of the thirty or so persons present. I didn’t know his aunts, relatives, or some of Sandra’s friends. Nevertheless, I tried to appreciate it and smiled.
As Jason took pictures, Ava sat in her tiny high chair and mashed frosting between her fingers. Everyone laughed and clapped. Sandra was across the yard, observing us. Her eyes were not smiling, but her face was.
Following cake and gifts, guests began congregating on the patio. Sandra got up and used a spoon to tap her wine glass. The yard became silent as she said, “May I have everyone’s attention?”
Jason looked at her, a little perplexed. With a smile that was always pleasant on the outside and piercing on the inside, she turned to face us.
“I just wanted to say how proud I am,” she stated. “What a light Ava is. A real boon to our household. I held Ava on my hip and nodded. “And I have a little gift in honor of this special day,” she continued. For the three of you. Curious, people peered around.
Jason scowled a little. “What is it?”
He was given a little red box by Sandra. “Open it,” she suggested in a gentle voice.
He blinked when he peeked inside after lifting the lid. A DNA test kit was involved.
I gazed, perplexed. Jason remained silent. “I mean,” she continued, chuckling briefly, “you can never be too cautious here. Check out Ava’s hair. Jason, you were blond as a newborn.
There was a laugh from someone in the crowd. Who was it? I couldn’t tell.
She then faced me. “And I didn’t forget about you, Kayla, my love. You haven’t lost the baby weight, I noticed. Thus, I also got you a small item.
She gave me a gym membership voucher. I just stood there, motionless. Jason also remained silent. Sandra appeared content, as though this was all a toast. And something started to shatter inside of me.
I glanced down at the gym coupon I was still holding. Like the weight of all the insults Sandra had ever wrapped in a grin, the paper seemed heavier than it should have.
Jason’s face was blank and his mouth was slightly open as he gazed at the DNA kit resting on his lap. Sandra remained upright, holding a glass, grinning as though she had just given us gold.
Lightly, “Just a little fun,” she said. “In the spirit of truth, you know. Clarity. These tests are now widely used. They’re being done by everyone.
An aunt, perhaps, laughed. I was unable to tell.
“She’s kidding, right?” At last, I turned to Jason and asked.
He blinked. “I… I don’t know.”
Sandra’s head cocked. “Why am I making this up? Jason, don’t you think it’s necessary to be certain? particularly in the present day.
Some others averted their gazes, obviously uneasy. I looked around at the guests, who were all watching me, some muttering, some shifting in their chairs. observing us.
Jason remained silent. Nothing. He continued to stare at the package.
Sandra looked back at me. “My dear, don’t take it personally. Simply put, Ava doesn’t resemble Jason at all. People have taken notice.
My chest began to heat up. Despite my ringing ears, I spoke steadily.
“You’re right,” I answered, placing the voucher on the table after folding it. “Truth is important.”
Astonished by my tone, Jason looked up. I carefully stood up, keeping Ava close. Her tiny head was resting on my shoulder as she fell asleep.
Sandra’s eyebrow went up. “Oh, let’s get started. Will you now cause a commotion?”
“No,” I quietly said. “That’s what you already did. I have one of my own, though, because we’re sharing truths.”
Her smile wavered.
I gave Jason a direct look. Before he died, your father told me something. He requested that I hold off on telling you until the appropriate moment.
Jason scowled. “What are you talking about?”
I looked back at Sandra. “He was aware. Sandra, he knew the truth. He simply remained silent in order to avoid upsetting the family.
“What truth?” Jason’s voice rose as he asked.
I continued to watch her. “He knew you were unfaithful. He was aware that your true partner was your brother-in-law, Robert. His son is not Jason. He belongs to Robert.
The patio fell silent. The birds appeared to pause as well.
In her hand, Sandra dropped her wine glass. “That’s a lie.”
Jason stepped back. “What?”
“I’m sorry,” I let him know. “This is not how I ever wanted to tell you. But she gave me no other option.
He gave a headshake. “No, no. That isn’t possible.
“It is,” I said. “Your father himself informed me. He didn’t want to ruin your life, but he found out through a test. Unless it ever came to this, he requested me to keep it between us.
Sandra’s complexion turned pallid.
Jason appeared as though the earth had moved beneath him. “Uncle Rob?”
My words were, “Think about it,” “Who attended your events? Who gave you your driving lessons? Who was present at all the significant events?
Jason opened his mouth, but remained silent. He sank into a chair and gazed at nothing in particular.
Sandra’s voice was sharp when she finally spoke. “You’re a repulsive girl. You’re inventing this.
I gave a headshake. “No, Sandra. For the sake of Jason and your husband, I have kept this a secret. However, I will no longer remain silent if you are going to stand here and accuse me of something so heinous.”
Aunt Marilyn let out a gasp. “Is that accurate? Do you believe it to be true, Jason?
Jason combed his hair with his hand. “I always thought I looked more like Uncle Rob.”
Sandra yelled, “He’s telling lies! He didn’t say that! He didn’t take any tests.
I answered, “He showed me the results,” “He simply never came up to you. However, he requested that I shield Jason from further deception.
Jason got back up, shaky. “Is this real?”
I gave a nod. “Yes. And if you’d like, you can take a test. Not the one she gave you, though.
Sandra fell back into her chair as if she had been ripped of her bones. For the remainder of the day, neither she nor Jason spoke to one other. His silence spoke louder than his inscrutable face.
We returned home. No farewells. No justifications. Without much fuss, we loaded Ava into the car and drove off. I didn’t turn around.
Jason pushed an envelope across the kitchen table two days later. His words were, “I mailed it,”
I took it open. There was no DNA kit left. There was a folded note in its place.
It was scrawled, “Keep this,” by him. “You’ll need it when your next lie blows up.”
At that moment, he gave me a serious look. Though exhausted, his eyes were unclouded. His words were, “I’m sorry,” “For failing to get to your feet. for freezing. for allowing it to continue for so long.”
I gave a nod. I didn’t require anything more. The work has been done by the truth.
Sandra hasn’t given a call. No message. There wasn’t even a chilly little phrase that was circulated. Nothing but quiet.
Uncle Robert did, however, call. When he mentioned my name, his voice trembled a little. He said, “Can we talk?” He didn’t specify anything. He was not required to.
I was aware of its meaning. and did not fear it.
I have stopped shrinking. I’m not biting my tongue or avoiding insults. This family didn’t deserve the years of grace I showed them. I’m not going to repeat it. Love and honesty will abound on Ava’s second birthday. No speeches, no decorations, and no “gifts.”
If you liked this story, you should read this one as well: Willa chooses peace over mayhem when her mother-in-law ruins her daughter’s first vacation in the most petty way possible. However, as Karma starts to exact its own retribution, Willa comes to the realization that the cosmos already has her back and that certain fights are unnecessary.
Although this work has been fictionalized for artistic reasons, it is based on actual individuals and events. To preserve privacy and improve the story, names, characters, and specifics have been altered. Any likeness to real people—living or dead—or real events is entirely accidental and not the author’s intention.
The publisher and author disclaim all liability for any misunderstanding and offer no guarantees regarding the veracity of events or character portrayals. The opinions contained in this narrative are those of the characters and do not represent the author’s or publisher’s perspectives. It is presented “as is.”
