Certain About The Situation
He was certain those children weren?t his. Throughout the night, he questioned her about them. The triplets one girl and two boys were the joy of their marriage, and he couldn?t help but feel that they were the best thing to happen to them as a couple.
Despite his wife?s reassurances, claiming the children were his, he decided to take a DNA test for clarity. When the results came back, he didn?t hesitate to pack his bags. He never doubted the outcome for a second.
Walking Away
Sixteen years had come and gone since he signed the divorce papers and walked away. Not a day passed without him thinking of her, the kids, and the life they had lost, yet he never imagined he'd cross paths with her again.
Then, one Sunday afternoon, a familiar scent on the warm breeze stopped him in his tracks. He looked around, memories rushing back, when his eyes landed on her. But this time, she wasn?t alone.
Envisioned A Perfect Life
Joseph Woods had always envisioned a perfect life after marrying his high school sweetheart. He had it all a loving wife, a dream job, loyal friends, and a beautiful home. It seemed like everything was falling into place just as he?d hoped.
However, life had other plans. In an instant, everything he cherished began to unravel, and Joseph found himself struggling to hold on. The once confident man was now a shadow of his former self, facing challenges he never saw coming.
After Nine Long Months
After nine long months, the day had finally arrived. Joe and his wife, Sandra, rushed to the hospital, eager to meet their triplets. The excitement of welcoming three babies at once was beyond anything they had imagined, as they'd always dreamed of having a big family.
But little did Joe know, this joyful moment would soon take a drastic turn. While the couple had hoped for a bustling household, Joe's life was about to be turned upside down in ways he never expected. The arrival of their triplets marked the beginning of a new chapter, but also the start of unforeseen challenges.
Couldn't Help But Smile
Joe couldn?t help but smile as he drove his wife and three children home. After months of tireless effort, he had finally created the life he dreamed of for them. From pushing for a promotion at work to finding a larger home, he made sure every detail was covered to provide the best for his family.
He was determined to show them just how much they meant to him. However, what he soon realized was that life wasn?t always as fair as he had hoped, and the challenges ahead would test his resolve in ways he hadn?t imagined.
A Week After The Birth
A week after the birth, Joe began to notice some things that raised concerns. As a devoted husband and father, he was fully involved in caring for the babies, from changing diapers to soothing them to sleep.
Despite his joy in fatherhood, the closer he got to the children, the more he felt something was amiss. He couldn?t quite put his finger on it, but the feeling lingered, leaving him with questions he wasn?t sure how to address.
A Nagging Thought
All week, Joe couldn't shake a nagging thought. Every time he glanced at his newborns, he was struck by how different they looked from him nothing about their features, from their noses to the spacing of their eyes, seemed familiar.
But the babies were just a month old. Joe reminded himself it was too soon to make any judgments. They still had plenty of time to grow and change. Maybe, he thought, they'd eventually take on more of his resemblance as they got older.
The Joys Of Parenthood
Pushing away these dark thoughts, Joe gave himself to the joys of parenthood. He embraced the long sleepless nights and the little peace he and Sandra were getting as new parents.
But as the weeks continued counting, and the babies grew, the thoughts that had taken Joe hostage before returned. It was slowly becoming clear that the babies bore no resemblance to him.
The Differences Cannot Be Ignored
The dad started looking into the matter whenever he was in the triplet's presence. He noted that their noses were more slender than his, their eyes too far apart.
While he had full lips, theirs were thinned out drastically. But that wasn't the half of it. Though just as dark as his and Sandra's, their hair had a reddish tone. Was he reading too much into this, or was something else at play here?
He Is Worried
Joe's worry grew with each passing day. It didn't help that the physical differences between him and the triplets were increasing with each of these days.
Feeling like the world was backing him up into a corner, the dad decided to do the only thing he could. With sweaty hands and a thundering heart, he confronted Sandra.
3 A.M.
It was a dark Friday night when he did so. The bedside clock read 3 a.m., and the triplets were fast asleep. He and Sandra had been caring for them since midnight and couldn't wait to get some shut-eye.
But Joe's question was eating him up inside. He sat on the side of the bed, one hand on Sandra's lap and the other on his forehead. "Sandy," he began. "I need to ask you something."
A Necessary Risk
"Anything," Sandra smiled. Even tired, she was the most beautiful being Joe had ever seen. "Make it quick, though," she chuckled. "I might drift off any time soon."
Joe squared his shoulders. He hated what he was about to do. Every bit of this experience was all he wanted it to be ? well, that's if you didn't count the possibility of the triplets not being his. He knew such a question was a nuke that would do irreparable damage to his marriage. But it felt necessary.
The Question
"Are the triplets mine?" Joe asked, his voice shaky. "I've noticed a few things that have me worried." He detailed everything that had taken his interest and was surprised at how calm Sandra was.
But the moment he stopped talking, she erupted. "Are you serious?" she asked, suddenly fully awake. "You can't be serious right now!"
Leave!
With flared nostrils, wide eyes, and balled fists, she reached for the covers. "Leave!" she roared. Joe spent that night alone on the couch, wondering if he'd made a mistake. He knew he?d hit a nerve but was surprised when he discovered Sandra had snuck downstairs to cover him with a blanket while he slept.
But he also noted that she neither denied nor confirmed his question. He thought she'd forget about his question when she returned in the morning. But she was still white hot with anger.
She Doesn't Address It
She barely spoke to him. Instead, she took care of the triplets, bathing and dressing them. Afterward, she fed them, put them in the stroller, and headed for the park.
Joe let out a soft curse. Although he was worried about what he'd done, his heart pounded even faster when he considered the thought that the triplets weren't his. That could only mean one thing.
A Promiscuous Woman
In the many years that Joe had been with Sandra, he'd never known her as the promiscuous type. But like many men, he'd had a few jealous moments when seeing her with friends, although those never led to anything.
But today, for the first time, he considered the possibility of Sandra being unfaithful to him. But this thought gave birth to something that would land him in the hospital.
One Year Back
About a year back, Joe confronted Sandra about one of her workmates ? a lawyer named Henry. The man had been too close for comfort, and Joe didn't like it.
Sandra had assured him that she would never betray him like that. Of course, Joe had believed her. But now, he raced to Sandra's laptop and opened her company?s page, finding Henry's picture. His breath hitched as he noted something heartbreaking.
The Appearance Match!
Henry's physical appearance matched those of the triplets. Or was Joe imagining it out of anger? He stepped back, his eyes smarting with tears. He turned around, reaching for his phone. There was only one way of resolving this matter now.
The dad called his doctor, asking for a DNA test. "Is Sandra okay with this?" the doctor asked, and Joe told him what was happening. "Please," he begged. "I need to know."
At The Doctor?s
The next hour saw him at the doctor's. The test was brief, and after three grueling days, the test results were available. Joe paced around the doctor's office as he opened the envelope. He didn't know what to do if the triplets weren't his. He loved them with every fiber of his being.
He also loved Sandra and would give her the world over and over again. He'd never been a religious man before, but today, he prayed vehemently for those kids to be his.
The Test Results
The doctor rubbed a hand down his face and handed him the results, and Joe's heart sank even further. He wobbled on his feet briefly before the doctor caught his fall. "I'm sorry, man," he said.
Joe's eyes flooded with tears, and his limbs turned into jelly. The triplets, those kids who were his world, weren't his. "You're not the father," the doctor said, hammering the point home.
He Confronts Her
Joe drove home as fast as he could. He dropped the test results before Sandra, demanding an explanation. But she didn't even look at them. Instead, she stared at him, her eyes big and wet with stemmed tears.
Joe turned around, heading upstairs. He started packing, and Sandra came after him, crying and pleading. "Take another test," she begged. "Those results are wrong!
He Took Several Tests
But she had no idea that Joe had taken several tests. The results were the same. He wasn't the triplets? dad. How could Sandra do this to him? Seeing that she wasn't getting through to him, she changed tactics. She begged Joe to stay. "Let's figure this out together," she cried. "Please, Joe. I need you. Our kids need you."
"Not my kids," Joe whispered, the weight of everything finally crashing on him. He stood there immobile for a minute, remembering how perfect life had been. With one last look, he left.
What Else Could He Do?
But that?s when Joe felt the weight of responsibility overtake him. Even if they weren?t his by blood, the kids still looked to him as their father. He couldn?t abandon his kids, but what about his wife? If the DNA results were correct, he could never be with her.
He felt like he was in a terrible dilemma. He was brought to tears at the thought of leaving the kids who looked up to him, but what else could he do?
A Terrible Dilemma
It was a terrible dilemma to be in. No father would ever want to discover that his wife was unfaithful and that his kids weren?t even his. If he chose not to stay with his wife, there was also a host of problems.
He trembled as he thought about everything that he would have to go through because of her. It was too much for him. He found a hotel to stay at while he made up his mind.
Making Up His Mind
Joe couldn?t sleep. He just stayed awake, thinking of the life that he had made with his wife and how it was all just a life. He was more angry than he had ever been before. He just couldn?t forgive Sandra for what she had done to him and his family.
It didn?t take long for him to finally make up his mind. But he had no idea what kind of mistake he would be making. He?d only find that out sixteen years later.
Going Back
After just a day away from his family, he came back to the front door. Sandra thought it was to rekindle their marriage, but she was about to be sorely mistaken. He stared daggers at her as soon as she opened the front door.
He walked past her and up the stairs. He made it to their bedroom and found the suitcase they normally kept for their vacations. He started packing his clothing and other essentials into the container. Sandra ran up the stairs and caught him.
Making It Difficult
Sandra begged him not to go. She promised that she had never been unfaithful and that the test was some kind of fluke. But Joe couldn?t let himself become vulnerable. If he looked into her eyes, then he would start believing her lies.
He told her that he was moving out. But things wouldn?t be that simple, as divorce tends to be a long and messy process.
A Long Battle
After months of court dates, they were finally close to being divorced. The complicating factor was that Joe wanted to get more than half of everything because of Sandra?s infidelity. He felt like he needed to be compensated.
But Sandra was fighting tooth and nail. She wouldn?t admit that she did anything wrong, and the DNA results didn?t count as evidence. This meant that Sandra ended up winning custody of the kids as their mother, and she even kept the house.
Couldn?t Forgive Her
Joe couldn?t find it in his heart to forgive her. She was the one who had upset the balance in his life, and now she was taking the house, too. She needed it to raise her kids, but what about him? He became a drifter.
He never let love in again after her. He just stayed a loner and kept to himself. But more than a quarter century later, he would find out the truth behind everything. He was misled, and everything he did was for nothing. It would be more painful than anything he?d ever endured.
Ripped Away
What do you do when everything you held dear is one day ripped away from you? Well, the only thing Joe could do was give his all to his job.
Focusing on his work was the only thing that seemed to numb the pain?that and alcohol. Joe couldn?t remember a time when his fingers weren't gripping a bottle. It was better this way.
Gin Or Whiskey
If he weren?t at work, he?d be staring down the bottom of a gin or whiskey bottle. It got so bad that his local bar had to ban him because of how much he frequented the place.
?You need to get it together,? the bouncer had told him, care and worry etched into his face. He?d just pulled Joe from a fight that could have easily been avoided. But things would only get worse for him.
Who Is He?
Joe couldn?t keep the faces of his wife and kids out of his mind. Yes, he?d divorced Sandra. And yes, he?d denounced the triplets, swearing he didn?t want anything to do with them.
But who was he kidding? Deep down, he knew he?d always be theirs. Who was he, if not the one meant to protect and care for them? So why didn?t he return if he felt this way?
We All Have Flaws
Well, the pain of Sandra?s betrayal was so great to overlook. It was a physical pain that worsened the more Joe thought about it.
Why did she choose to do this to him? He had his flaws ? everyone has their flaws ? but that wasn?t reason enough to warrant this level of betrayal. A sauced Joe would pass out every night, dunked in alcohol, sadness, and regret. If only he knew how big of a mistake he?d made.
Keep Busy
?Never let it get too quiet,? one of his close friends had told him once. ?When it gets too quiet, that?s when things get loud.?
Joe had laughed. But he understood the analogy. He saw how much he?d destroyed himself for months, grieving over his loss. His wake-up call was his boss informing him that he?d fire him if he continued showing up to work half-drunk and shabbily dressed. Joe knew he needed to do better.
Do Better
All the energy he?d poured into alcohol and lonely nights at the bar he pumped into his work. ?Never let it get too quiet,? he?d repeat every now and then. It had become his mantra, a lifeline to this overwhelmingly dark sea that had engulfed him.
The months turned into years, and Joe started doing great again. He got promotion after promotion, overworking because that was the only way to keep himself busy. He couldn?t take the alternative.
Finding A Way
Joe had decided to find his own way away from his family. He couldn?t bear to even look for the triplets to see how they were. He imagined their sad faces as the dad they had known abandoned them. He felt guilt for every day that passed.
A shell of a man, he kept moving one foot in front of the other and stayed on autopilot for the next few years. But he never forgot the children and the wife that had been ripped away from him.
Sixteen Years
The years passed, sixteen, to be exact, and Joe, who had divorced Sandra and relocated to a different town, continued with life. Although he progressed in his career, reaching the peak and making a name for himself, he never really bounced back in his romantic life.
What Sandra had done to him was enough to end his interest in romance. He still loved her, still had vivid dreams about her and the kids she'd sworn were his. He never thought he'd see them again until that fateful day.
Much Older
Even though only sixteen years had passed, time hadn?t been kind to Joe. The stress and depression had aged him rapidly. He was a lonely man who didn?t ever hang out with anybody. He just didn?t have it in him anymore.
His heart had been shattered, and no one had managed to pick up the pieces. But that?s when nostalgia came to him. He smelled something he had many times before. But it couldn?t be, could it?
Years Ago
The last time Joe had smelt the familiar scent was over a decade ago. Fond memories came flooding back, which softened the stone that the man had built around himself for so many years. He was now vulnerable again, at just the wrong time.
He knew what was coming, but he wouldn?t be able to stop it. It was almost like fate had decided to play a cruel trick on him one final time.
Orange Blossoms And Peach
The scent that had called to him was a fusion of orange blossoms and peach. It had always been Sandra's favorite. She'd worn it on their first date and on the last day he saw her. Today, it wafted into Joe's nose, pulling his gaze to the side.
He could never forget her signature scent. He sniffed out who was wearing it. There was a woman across the room - it must have been from her.
It Was Sandra
But then he noticed that she looked a little too familiar. There, nestled among two teenage boys and a girl, was Sandra.
She went through a few documents with a worried look. Joe watched silently, speechless that he'd run into her after so long. He had no idea that his life was about to take another turn. Did she come here on purpose?
Something Wrong
Dozens of thoughts raced through Joe?s head as he wondered what she could be doing there. He thought his eyes were deceiving him, but it had to be her. Then they fell on the teenagers next to her, and he felt that familiar pang of guilt.
Were they there just to remind him of what happened all those years ago? Or was she here because she wanted something from him.
Making Up His Mind
Joe had protected his heart so well over the last decade and a half that he didn?t normally have sympathy anymore. But Sandra was an exception. He had always fallen for her games. Would today be the same?
His heart hurt as he wanted to cry out to her. But he knew he had to stay steadfast and watch the scene for now. Something was wrong, and it didn?t take a psychologist to see that. Sandra was upset about something.
Tears
Watching from the side, a regretful Joe noticed that Sandra was crying. He remembered all the times that he had consoled her while they were still husband and wife. Whatever she had gotten herself into, it was no coincidence she had suddenly turned up.
Her kids looked sad, too, and were talking to her soothingly. Joe could see now that they truly weren't his. Despite that, he was surprised to discover how much he still cared.
Wanting To Help
He wanted to know why their mom was crying and wanted to help. He wanted to assure those kids everything would be alright. But he had been hurt before and needed to be careful not to get wrapped up in anything that would hurt him again.
But as he was still deep in thought, one of the kids, the girl, turned to him, saying something to her mom before pointing.
Found Out
The girl had seen him and must have recognized him as the man who had briefly raised her before bailing. His face went red, but he didn?t turn to run or hide. He was a man, and he would face this head-on, no matter what the consequences were.
But he still had no idea how things were going to turn out. He could end up slapped, kissed, or anything in between. What did Sandra need?
Caught
Joe was caught red-handed. He expected Sandra to stomp out of her seat and tear him a new one. But she looked at him with hopeful eyes, although her tears doubled. Joe found himself rushing to her aid. "Long time," he said before introducing himself to the kids.
He expected hostility but only found kindness and respect. It was then that his ex-wife slid a file to him, leaning into her seat.
Reading The Report
Joe took the file, finding several photos and documents inside. He started with the pictures, noting that each was of three teenagers, two boys and a girl. But what was interesting was that they each resembled Sandra and him! He looked at her and the triplets and turned to the documents.
"Police reports," he whispered. His brows rose as he started reading, and suddenly, everything fell into place. "Oh God," he said. "Oh, my God."
How Is It Possible?
What Joe read left him speechless. How was this possible? How did it happen? He?d only seen and read these kinds of things in movies and novels.
He?d never once stopped to think it could happen to him. He suddenly understood why Sandra had been crying earlier. He understood why the kids seemed sad. This kind of news was enough to shatter any person.
The Truth
"Switched at birth," one of the boys said, and Joe had to find a seat before he collapsed. Someone had switched his kids at birth! That's why they looked nothing like him!
This meant Sandra had been faithful. Joe almost threw up, remembering how terrible he'd been to her. He'd called her names, insisting she?d been unfaithful. He?d called off their marriage!
I Did Everything Right
"Sandra, I," he began. But she cut him off, smiling a sad smile. "I did everything right, Joe,? she said. ?But It's okay. We cannot dwell on the past now. We have far more important matters to take care of."
She reached into her purse, took out a few dollar bills, and handed them to the kids. ?Give us a few minutes,? she told them. ?Your fath? this man? this man and I need to have a quick chat.?
Brooke, Ben
The teenagers, led by the girl, came to their feet in unison. ?Should we bring you anything, mom?? the girl, Brooke, asked, and Sandra shook her head. ?I?m fine, honey.?
One of the boys, Ben, folded his hands over his chest. He was bigger than his siblings, rippling with muscles. Locking eyes with Joe, he said, ?Sure you want us to leave, momma?? Sandra?s smile widened.
And Brandon
?Yes,? she said. ?Now go before I change my mind and pocket the cash.? Ben grinned before grimacing at Joe and walking off. Brooke followed him, and after her walked Brandon, the last triplet. He was the only one to calmly tell Joe, ?It was nice seeing you,? before kissing his mom on the head and hurrying off.
?They are so much like you. It's crazy,? Sandra intoned, watching them leave. ?Ben has your fire, and Brandon cares just as much as you used to. Brooke is just as logical as you. I still can?t believe the news?that they aren?t mine.?
Questions
?I don?t even know what to say,? Joe began, his gaze following the triplets. ?I know,? Sandra said. ?They?re my babies. No piece of paper will ever change that.? Joe swallowed a hard lump.
?How did you find out?? he asked after apologizing a hundred times over for how badly he?d acted. Sandra ordered him a latte before she talked. This story would need a beverage.
A Bad Joke
?I thought it was a bad joke at first,? she started as soon as Joe?s latte came. ?A detective showed up at the house about two weeks ago. We had a long chat, and he informed me that another couple in a different city had gone through exactly what we had.?
Those words alone made Joe almost choke on his drink. Guilt flared within him, pushing the hot liquid up his throat. But Sandra was only beginning.
Joe?s Favorite Test
?The kids' dad took a DNA test about a year ago,? she said. ?Paternity tests, your favorite from what I remember,? she chuckled. ?The dad discovered he wasn?t the father to the kids he?d spent fifteen years bringing up. Knowing she?d been faithful, his wife also took the test. That?s when they discovered their kids weren?t really theirs.
She leaned forward, her eyes connecting with Joe?s. She was just as beautiful as the last day he?d seen her ? so beautiful it pained him. But he couldn?t focus on beauty now.
Hiring A Detective
?The couple hired a detective afterward, and his work had brought him to my doorstep,? Sandra said nonchalantly as if this wasn?t news meant to drive anyone mad. Joe had expected her voice to carry odium. But it was gentle and caring.
?The parents have our kids, Joe,? she said. ?We have theirs. A painful switch.? After a spell, she added, ?You know, I am glad you showed up today of all days. At least you know that I never lied.?
Flabbergasted
Joe sat flabbergasted. The triplets returned to find him still speechless. Seemingly noticing his distress, they started talking to him, asking all sorts of questions that made him feel like he?d never left. In this way, they were like Sandra, always wanting to make someone feel better even if the situation was at its worst.
At the end of their meeting, the triplets even asked if he?d be willing to drive with them and their mom to see the parents and the other kids. Joe agreed to the trip, even offering to pay for a flight instead?years of hard work afforded him such luxuries.
A Short Flight
This was the least he could do after the horrors he'd let Sandra endure. The flight was short, and before he knew it, he sat across the table from three teenagers who looked just like him and Sandra. He'd never cried as much as he did that day.
It was a teary moment for everyone, with the families hugging tightly. The moment was also wholesome, as no fingers were pointed.
A Sound Understanding
The four parents came to a sound understanding. The kids would be taking trips between each household every now and then so they could get to know their natural parents.
Sitting in his house with all six of his kids: Ben, Brandon, Brooke, Henry, Carla, and Dean, Joe told them about his past with Sandra. They listened carefully, gushing about their relationship. They revealed that from what they'd gathered, he still loved her. A content and equally proud dad, Joe grinned. They weren't wrong.