Lalakute 💯

PART 5: THE MAN I CALLED MY FATHER WAS HIDING THE TRUTH 😭 I stood in the sitting room, holding the old photograph my mother had given me. My hands were shaking. On the back of the photograph were three things: a hospital name, a date, and the signature of Vanessa's father. I looked at my mother. “Mum, what does this mean? Why is Vanessa's father's signature on a photograph connected to my birth?” She burst into tears. My father immediately stepped forward. “Daniel, give me that photograph.” For the first time in my life, I refused to obey him. “No, Dad. Not this time. I've spent my entire life believing that you two were the most honest people I knew. Today, I discovered that everyone has been lying to me.” My mother wiped her tears and sat down. “Daniel, before you were born, your father and I went through a very difficult period in our marriage. We had problems, and for a while, we separated.” I stared at her. “Where does Vanessa's father come into this?” She looked at my father before answering. “Your father had travelled for business. During that period, Vanessa's father helped me when I was struggling. He was a family friend, and he knew what I was going through.” My father shouted, “That's enough!” But my mother continued. “When you were born, there was a serious complication at the hospital. Your father wasn't there when you arrived. Vanessa's father was the person who helped me get the medical attention I needed.” I frowned. “So he helped you give birth to me. Is that why he signed the photograph?” My mother shook her head. “No, Daniel. There's more.” She took a deep breath. “Your father returned several days later. We reconciled, and we decided to keep the details of what happened during our separation private. But Vanessa's father knew everything.” I turned toward my father. “Everything about what?” He remained silent. My mother lowered her voice. “Daniel, the reason Vanessa's father wanted our families to become close again was not only because of the missing money. He believed that your father had taken something from him that money could never replace.” I felt a chill run down my spine. “What did he take?” My mother looked directly into my eyes. “He believed your father had stolen his chance to be your father.” The room went completely silent. I looked at my father. Then at my mother. Then back at the photograph. I couldn't understand what I was hearing. “Are you telling me Vanessa's father believes he is my biological father?” My mother began crying harder. My father slammed his hand against the table. “He has no right to make that accusation!” I stepped toward him. “Then tell me the truth! Am I your biological son?” He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. That silence hurt more than any answer could have. I turned toward my mother. “Please. I need the truth.” She covered her face. “I don't know how to explain everything, Daniel. I was young, confused, and afraid. Your father raised you as his own, and he has loved you throughout your life.” I shook my head. “That's not what I asked you. Is he my biological father?” Before she could answer, someone knocked at the door. My older brother opened it. Standing outside was Vanessa's father. He walked into the sitting room carrying a thick brown envelope. My father immediately stood up. “You have caused enough trouble in this family. Leave my house!” Vanessa's father ignored him and looked at me. “Daniel, I know you have questions. I also know that your wedding was destroyed today. But you deserve to hear the truth from me.” I stared at him. “Are you my biological father?” He looked at my mother. Then he looked at my father. Finally, he answered. “I cannot tell you that without showing you the evidence.” He opened the envelope and placed several documents on the table. Among them was a hospital record from the day I was born. My heart was pounding. I picked up the first document and began reading.