Daniel considered his life ideal. He celebrated with a lovely wife, a newborn daughter, and a family baptism. The priest cradled their infant and whispered, “This is impossible.” Everything changed. His remarks chilled the church, revealing secrets and upending Daniel’s life.
I saw the dawn light through the lace curtains from the nursery window. A gentle glow surrounded Brittany’s crib. This was my dream come true, so I smiled.
Daniel glanced down at his newborn daughter Brittany and felt lucky. She was perfect—peaceful and little. He had dreamed of marrying, having children, and living in a house he designed for years. He met Nadine in college and thought it was a dream.
She attracted his notice with her sketching outside the library. Daniel knew she was exceptional. After five years of marriage, they had Brittany, their four-month-old angel. They fell in love fast.
Daniel should have been pleased, but something seemed amiss lately. Nadine had been silent and distant, and he felt it was stress from becoming new parents and freelance work. But it wore him down. He saw her sometimes stare at Brittany with a tense expression, like she was carrying a load.
Brittany’s baptism was supposed to be happy today. Daniel thought Nadine would cheer up. He looked at her sleeping under a cover, hoping this particular day might help.
Daniel felt at home at the church. Old stone walls and incense smelled comforting. His family had come here for generations, and it was their tale. Nadine carrying Brittany went beside him, but she looked pale and said little. She seemed nervous, he thought.
As they approached the altar, Daniel questioned, “You okay?” With a tight smile, she said, “Yeah, just a little nervous.” So he squeezed her hand, thinking everything would be alright.
Father Gabriel welcomed them and began the ceremony with prayers and blessings. Daniel was happy to be with his family as everything was finally great.
Something changed when Father Gabriel held Brittany. The mood was heavy, and Daniel sensed trouble. The priest appeared nervous and has trembling hands.
“What’s wrong?” Daniel asked in a whisper.
Father Gabriel replied with a pale face, “This is impossible… this child… she’s my brother’s.”
Daniel froze, unable to comprehend what he heard. “What did you say?” he exclaimed, incredulous.
Father Gabriel said He, his brother, and Brittany have birthmarks behind their left ears. Daniel thought the ground had vanished. Brittany was his daughter! He turned to Nadine, but she was backing away, pale as a ghost, and ran out of the church without saying a word.
“Nadine!” Daniel shouted, but she didn’t stop or look. He could only hear his ears ringing in the silent church. Fear gripped him.
Father Gabriel explained that it wasn’t a coincidence, but Daniel didn’t comprehend. Brittany was his child. His panic grew as he chased Nadine.
Daniel returned home to find Nadine frantically packing a suitcase. “You’re not leaving,” he said coldly. “Not until you confess.”
Nadine trembled as she packed things into the bag. Daniel, I—”
“Is it true?” he raged. “Is Brittany not mine?”
She stopped, and the room fell silent. She turned to him slowly, crying. “I’m sorry,” she muttered. “I never intended for you to learn this.”
Find out here? Daniel repeated, feeling heartbroken. “How did you expect me to find out? At her graduation?”
Nadine looked down. I didn’t know how to tell you. A mistake. I was lonely, and Matthew happened.”
“A mistake?” His laughter was sour. “Our entire life! Was everything a lie?
Shaking her head, she cried. “I love you, Daniel. I never meant to hurt you.”
“You’ve already destroyed me,” he muttered, lost.
The truth stung, and nothing more could be spoken. His beloved Nadine betrayed him. She removed her wedding ring and put it on the nightstand.
“What about Brittany? You leaving her too? Shocked, he asked.
Nadine exhaled heavily. Unfortunately, I’m not a good mother. No idea where to go from here.”
Daniel couldn’t believe what he was hearing, but she left before he could answer.
Daniel felt hollow that night. While Brittany slept upstairs, he stared at nothing in the living room. He couldn’t comprehend how everything fell apart so fast. He was the happiest man alive one minute and the next his life felt fake.
He remembered Father Gabriel’s comments, “She’s my brother’s.” He felt sad about leaving Brittany. Though not his bloodline, she was his daughter. He had carried, fed, and comforted her since birth.
He silently entered her room upstairs. Brittany was calm, her tiny chest rising and falling with each breath. Tearful, he sat by her crib.
“You’re mine,” he whispered. “You’re mine always.”
Daniel learned love goes beyond blood and biology. Being there and giving your all is key. He would never leave Brittany because she needed him.
“This is what God decided,” he said, holding her. His determination to finish this was clear at that moment.