GABRIELThe first thing I did when Kira walked out of the office, was call the only friend I had at the most discreet genetics lab in London. “Hi Christian, how are you? This is Gabriel,” I said.“Hi Gabe. I’m good, thanks. How about you? Is everything ok?” he asked in surprise because I hadn’t called him in a long time. “I’m doing okay, thanks. Listen, I was hoping I could ask you a favor,” I said getting straight to the point.“Sure, what do you need?”“Well, I need to get a DNA test done, but I want to be as discreet as possible” “I see. What kind of DNA test do you need?” “Just a simple paternity test. It’s a personal matter and I don’t want anyone else to know about it.” I told him with a heavy weight on my heart.“I understand. And you want me to help you with this?” he asked again just to be sure. “Yes, you work at a genetics laboratory, right? I was hoping you could do the test for me and keep it confidential.” I said on a slightly amusing note.“Yes, I do work at a genet
GABRIELI looked down at little Maddie, her big brown eyes staring up at me with a curious expression. She was the spitting image of her mother, Kira. I knew Kira would never agree to a DNA test for Maddie, even though I had my doubts about her true paternity. But I couldn’t let go of my need to know, to be sure that Maddie was really my daughter.I sighed,running a hand through my hair as I tried to come up with a plan. Maddie was too young to understand the complexities of DNA testing, and Kira was too protective to let me take her for a test without a fight. But I was determined to find a way to do it without causing a rift in our already fragile relationship.As Maddie played with her toys, I watched her, trying to come up with a plan. And then it hit me. I would do the DNA test without Kira or Maddie ever knowing.I played with Maddie almost all day and then I waited until she was asleep, then gently swabbed the inside of her cheek with a cotton swab. It was quick and easy, and s
KIRAFor several days, I had a restlessness that I could not explain. Since the day I called Gabriel to stay with Maddie, my anxiety has only increased.Luckily, Maddie was at school and couldn’t see the mood I was in. I took time off work and met Alana for lunch at Jubilee.“I am so worried, my friend…” I said to Alana, lowering my head. “I can’t take this anxiety anymore” “What is happening, Kira? You know you can always talk to me, right?” Alana asked, and took my hands in hers. Her touch soothed me instantly.“You know I called Gabriel to stay with Maddie for a few hours yesterday while I was visiting his friend with this business plan I have been working on, and now I’m worried that the truth will come out. You know, about Maddie being Gabriel’s daughter” “Oh, I see. And Maddie has taken a liking to Gabriel, right?” Alana asked right to the point. Even though I wanted to ignore that, I just couldn’t. This reality was shaking me to my core. “Yeah, exactly. She keeps talking
GABRIELUgh, I couldn’t believe that the DNA test results were still not here. I mean, I paid good money for this test and now it is taking forever. This was so frustrating!But wait, what if there was a good reason they’re late? Maybe something unexpected came up, or they backed the lab up with other tests. I shouldn’t jump to conclusions. It was best to call the clinic and see if Chris could give me an update.“Hello, this is Dr. Chris speaking. How may I assist you?” he said as soon as he picked up.“Hi, Chris. It’s me, Gabriel. I was just wondering if there’s any update on my DNA test results. They were supposed to be here by now.” I asked worriedly.“Ah, yes. I’m sorry to hear that you haven’t received your results yet. We actually had a bit of a delay at the lab, but I can assure you we’re doing everything we can to get your results to you as soon as possible. Most likely this evening at closing time.”“Oh, I see. Do you have any idea of the exact time?” I pushed more. “Well, I
KIRA“Alana, I can’t find Maddie anywhere. I am desperate!” I screamed at the top of my lungs. “She is missing again, and it is already late” “What do you mean, you can’t find her? Where did you last see her?” Alana asked in shock.“I took her to school when I went to work this morning. I expected her to be home when I got back. Mrs. Crane always picks her up from school. But when I came back, she wasn’t here.” I was hyperventilating. I knew we had been through this once before, but now it was well into the night, and Maddie was nowhere. “Oh my god, have you checked with any of her friends’ houses or with any of the neighbors?” she panicked.“Yes, I’ve already talked to everyone in the neighborhood, but no one has seen her. Mrs. Crane called to tell me she didn’t bring her home because she went to wait for her at school but Maddie didn’t show up. Oh my God! Where could she be?” “Okay, don’t panic. We’ll help you find her. Maybe we should call the police?” “You know how they ha
GABRIELI walked out of the office shocked and distraught. She was my daughter. My own flesh and blood. And the more I thought about it, the more my blood boiled in my veins. I took deep breaths, trying to come to terms with the news, but it was so damn hard. I couldn’t believe it. Little Maddie was my daughter. The more I said it the more I could hardly believe it. The DNA test results didn’t lie. It was like a bomb just went off in my head. I was in shock.How could Kira keep this from me? How could she deny me the chance to be a father to my own flesh and blood? It was not fair. It was not right. What was her reason for doing it?I couldn’t help but feel angry and betrayed. Kira and I were together, talked so many times, and she never once mentioned Maddie. I found out in the most horrific way. Why did she do that? Was she trying to punish me for something? And what about Maddie? She was an innocent child caught in the middle of all this. She deserved to have a father in her life
KIRAThe moment I saw Gabriel in the doorway with Maddie in his arms, being the early morning, I simply went crazy.“What do you mean?” Gabriel asked without a hint of agitation. “I’ve been looking for my daughter for half a day and she shows up in your arms practically the next day and you didn’t even bother to call me to let me know she’s okay?” I exploded. And as if he didn’t listen to me he put Maddie down and walked nonchalantly into the house.“Thank you for finding her, Gabriel, and bringing her home safe and sound,” he said as he walked past me.I was expecting a heated argument. What argument was I saying? A war in the genuine sense of the word.“I can’t believe you didn’t bring Maddie home as soon as you found her. It was after midnight, and I was so worried about her,” I yelled at the top of my lungs, watching Maddie already going upstairs.“I understand you were worried, Kira, but I didn’t feel comfortable bringing Maddie home by myself in the middle of the night. I thou
KIRA“My friend, I am here now,” Alana said and wrapped her warm arms around me. I needed that hug like I needed air to breathe. “Alana, I’m so glad you’re here. I need to talk to you about something really important,” I told her, holding her gaze. We eventually sat on the couch. It felt like the earth was shaking under my feet. “Ok, now you can tell me. What’s going on?” she said, grabbing my hands. “Gabriel brought Maddie home in the morning like nothing happened and I snapped. I yelled at him. He had no rights and that he is not the father to tell me what is best for Maddie and what is not. And that was when Gabriel made a threat. He said that my words will cost me dearly and that things won’t stay the way they are.” “What does that mean?” she asked.“I’m scared that he’s going to find out that Maddie is his daughter and file a paternity suit against me. He is capable of threatening me with a lawsuit,” I explained. “Wait, why would he do that? Maddie is five years old now. Wh