Determined to know the truth, I visited a pharmacy for a pregnancy test the following morning. “I’d like a pregnancy kit,” I said, hoping for a quick transaction.

Yet, the pharmacist’s inquiry and a helpful suggestion from another customer delayed me.

“It doesn’t matter. I’ll take any brand,” I quickly responded, eager to leave. Once back in my room, anxiety overwhelmed me as I awaited the test result. The appearance of two lines confirmed my fears—I was pregnant.

The reality of my situation, coupled with David’s constant calls, left me feeling trapped and alone. Running out of money and options, I decided to return home, confront David and Fiona, and retrieve my belongings.

Fiona greeted me at the door. “Carmen, I’m glad you’re back. There are so many things we—”

But I brushed past her, indifferent to her attempts at explanation. I refused to listen. My mind was made up; I needed to leave. As I packed, David shouted, “Listen to me, Fiona is my sister!” But I barely registered it.

I shrugged. “Even if she is. It’s not unheard of,” I commented, focusing on my clothes.

“I swear to you, Fiona is my sister, and Sofia is my niece. Trust me!” he continued. “I don’t know why you would think Sofia is mine, but I can assure you she isn’t. I would never cheat on you.”

“If it looks like a rat and smells like one, what the hell am I supposed to call it?” I retorted, already finished with my bags, ready to leave this web of lies behind.

David blocked my path. His desperation was evident. “If you don’t believe me, how about a DNA Test?” he suggested.

But I coldly revealed, “I already took one in secret.”

Fiona’s appearance at our bedroom doorway only made me angrier. “Don’t even bother saying anything. I always wondered who Sofia’s father was,” I accused. “I saw the birthmark! I KNOW THE TRUTH!”

My frustration and pain spilled over into more tears. I hated that I was crying in front of them again.

But then, Fiona did something unexpected. She showed me her back, revealing the same birthmark. “I have the same birthmark,” she said, a revelation that stunned me. It was a family trait.

“I’m sorry for not explaining that Sofia’s father is a commissioned officer who was deployed to another country but died there,” Fiona added, her eyes turning somber. “He died just before Sofia was born, and I can’t help but hate him a little for leaving. And it makes me feel guilty.”

“I only treat Sofia like my own because Fiona wanted Sofia to have a close male figure in her life,” David explained.

My doubts persisted, though, as Fiona hadn’t attended David and I’s wedding.

“Sofia was sick around our wedding, but I later asked Fiona to move closer to prevent her from being alone,” he continued. “It took a while, but we finally made it happen.”

They also said the rest of their family lived abroad, and those still in the country hated traveling unless it was a very special occasion. I looked at Fiona in shame and told her about the secret DNA test.

She calmly accepted it, “I don’t mind. As long as this misunderstanding is resolved.”

I decided we needed to go to the institution to get the results. I couldn’t wait for the delivery anymore. Leaving behind my luggage, I made us all get into my car and drive away.

A doctor led us to a room and showed us the results. Shockingly, the samples were a 100% match for paternity.

“That’s impossible!” David exclaimed, gaping as I was. I quickly grabbed the documents, wanting to confirm it with my own eyes… and exhaled loudly, relieved.

There were two different names on the sheets. I think I heard everyone sighing as well. The doctor apologized and produced the correct sheets.

Relief washed over my husband as the accurate test confirmed he was not Sofia’s father. “It’s good to know that the first test was wrong,” he said, his laughter easing the tension.

“Even if the second test said that David was the father, I would have insisted that we do another one,” Fiona said, getting on her feet and showing her intention to leave.

Back home, my apologies poured out.

“It’s my fault. I made you have doubts and didn’t clear all your suspicions even when you kept complaining about not meeting my family,” David said, shaking his head.

“We are family. I should have also told you about Sofia’s father,” Fiona added, moving closer to hug me tightly.

We stayed in that position for a while until we heard loud baby noises from Sofia, who was still in Fiona’s arms. I was beyond happy at realizing that my family was still intact, and they were even more pleased when I told them I was pregnant.

Months later, after delivering a baby boy named Zack, I was shocked to see the number of cars parked in front of our house as many people trooped in.

“I didn’t know your family members were this excited about a new baby,” I whispered in David’s ears as I held Zack, who was fast asleep in my arms.

David laughed and wrapped his arms around me, and with Fiona standing behind us holding Sofia, we got ready to meet the rest of the family.

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