AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Apparently, my mom had an affair with someone when they were engaged and she gave birth to me.”
“She told you that?”
“Yeah she did. After I confronted her with evidence.”
The shop goes silent as I turn my gaze to my hands, taking in what Ian is saying. I can’t even decide whether he’s telling the truth. Back when we were in high school, his family looked so normal – and so happy. Sometimes I got jealous because his mom was so nice. I never had much contact with his father, but once or twice, I’ve seen him playing catch with Ian and Dylan.
“I’m sorry that happened to you.”
He nods. “Thanks.”
“But how did you find out? How did you know he wasn’t your father.”
“Shortly after he died, I had the DNA test done.” I shrug. “I mean…I guess I’ve always had the feeling. Maybe he did too and that’s why he was like that, I don’t know.”
“Wow that’s…crazy.”
“Yes, it is.” He lets out a dry laugh. “I didn’t like talking about it because it’s too painful.”
“Oh, my God.” I reach out to hold his hand. “I’m really sorry I made you talk about it. I should have just let it go.”
“No it’s fine.” He waves his hand. “You’re right. I shouldn’t be hiding anything from you.”
“So.” I sit back. “Do you know who he is?”
“Who?”
“Your father.”
He shakes his head.
“Why don’t you ask your mom?”
“I did. Countless times. She wouldn’t tell me.”
“What?” I frown. “Well… why not?”
“She thinks it’s better if I don’t know. That’s the main reason why we’re not on talking terms.”
I stay silent. I like to think I know Melissa, and she’s not the type to do things without a reason. If she thinks Ian shouldn’t meet his father, there must be a reason behind it. But I can’t tell this to him, not without sounding like I support his mom.
“What’re you going to do now?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugs and says, “I’ve done everything I can. I’ve run background checks on all her friends and all her friend’s friends. I’ve interviewed some of them, I’ve made a list of all the people she hung out with during the year I got conceived, and I hit a dead end.” He pauses, stroking the side of his head. “I’m not going to find out who my father is if she doesn’t tell me.”
“Is that why you’re still in town? You’re trying to convince her to tell you who he is?”
“I tried a few days after I got to town. But Mom…” He scoffs, “I don’t know if she’s crazy or just loves to be in denial land, but she still calls her dead husband my father.”
“It must be hard for her.”
“It’s not a walk in the park for me, either.” He rakes his hand through his hair. “Having to find out that my whole childhood was a lie, and the person who I looked up to is not my father. It really hurts, Kaylee.”
He clenches his fist staring into the distance. I want to reach out to him, and hold him till he feels better, but for some reason, I’m not fully convinced.
He hasn’t been in much contact with his mom since he got back. Then what has he been doing all these past few days? We don’t spend that much time together, and Dylan’s with Jessie most of the time.
“How about work?”
