Vanessa appeared more aged and worn out. She said, “James, thank you for coming.” “Why now?” I insisted. “Why after all this time?” She said, “I couldn’t bear the guilt.” “At the time Aiden was conceived, I had an affair. James, he’s not your son.” It was as though I had taken a punch to the gut. “What?” “I apologize. I have to be honest with you.” I was in chaos. We must have a DNA test. I need to know!” It was agony to wait. I was unable to concentrate and eat. I was terrified and doubtful, despite Brian and Lucy’s best efforts to divert my attention. At last, the outcomes were revealed. I cautiously opened the packet with shaky hands. “Not the biological father.” The weight of the words crushed me and caused me to fall to the ground. However, something clicked when I noticed Aiden playing with his bricks. No matter what, he was still my son. Vanessa called, excited in her tone. “Did you get the results?” “Yeah,” I responded firmly. “He’s not my boy. But nothing changes as a result of that. I call him my son.” James, I would like to be involved in his life. And I need the federal funding you get to take care of him.” I was shocked by her boldness. “Not at all. You departed. You’re not allowed to march back in and make demands.”“James, please. I’ve grown.” “Goodbye, Vanessa.” I hung up feeling both relieved and angry. I put Aiden to bed that night, his little fingers clasped around mine. “Dada, story?” I grinned. Yes, my friend. There once was a time…” Reading made me realize that we weren’t defined by Vanessa’s betrayal. When it came down to it, Aiden was my son. No one could take away our unity as a team. Though I couldn’t predict the future, I was convinced of one thing. Combined, we would be stronger than before.There was an odd quiet in the weeks following Vanessa’s call. It seemed as though a burden had been removed. It hurt to know the truth, but it also freed me. I carried on with Aiden’s routine, finding happiness in the small things. The phone rang one morning when I was preparing breakfast. Once more, it was Vanessa. She said, “James, we need to talk.” “I told you, Vanessa, there’s nothing left to say.” “You must hear this, though. Come over to the café with me.” I reluctantly gave in. Vanessa appeared much more desperate at the café. “James, I want to be involved in Aiden’s life. I’m his mother, even though I made mistakes.” “And you think you can just come back and fix everything?” I lost my temper. “I might try it. I’d want to give it a shot. Aiden deserves to know his mother, even if I know I don’t deserve it.” Vanessa, he deserves stability. He’