The one week James had given Emily passed quickly. Each day he watched her, waiting to see if she would change her mind. But Emily held her ground. She fed the baby, cleaned the house, and went about her duties, but she never once mentioned the hospital. On the seventh day, James sat in the living room while Emily bathed the baby. When she came out, holding the child wrapped in a soft towel, James cleared his throat. “Emily,” he began quietly, “I gave you one week. That week has ended. Are you ready now to take this child to the hospital?” Emily did not answer immediately. She carried the baby to the bedroom, dressed him, and then returned to the sitting room. James was still waiting. “Emily, I am talking to you,” he said firmly. She sighed. “James, how many times will I say it? I am not going anywhere. Stop pressing me. I will not do any DNA test. I will not do any hospital test. You are the father of this child, and that is final.” James leaned forward, trying to remain calm. “If I a...
James woke up early on Monday morning. He had been thinking all night. Emily’s refusal to do a DNA test had left him restless. He could not focus at work, and every time he looked at the baby, the doubt grew stronger.
By 9am, he drove to the hospital alone. He didn’t take the baby with him because he wanted to first ask some questions before deciding on the next step. When he arrived, he went to the reception and asked to speak with a doctor. A few minutes later, he was shown into a small office. The doctor, a middle-aged man with glasses, greeted him warmly.
“Good morning, Mr. James. How can I help you today?”
James sat down and leaned forward. “Doctor, I have an unusual question. Is it possible for two white parents to give birth to a black baby?”
The doctor looked thoughtful. “It is possible, but it is very rare. In some cases, the child may have inherited certain genes from past generations. In other rare cases, it could be a medical condition affecting the skin.”
James nodded slowly. “I see. Doctor, my wife recently gave birth to a baby boy. We are both white, but the baby is clearly black. I suspect she may have cheated on me.”
The doctor’s expression was calm. “Mr. James, the only way to know for sure if it is a medical condition is to run some tests on the child. These tests will show whether the skin color is caused by a condition like hyperpigmentation or other rare genetic factors.”
James asked, “And if it’s not a medical condition?”
The doctor said, “Then the skin color is most likely due to genetics passed down from the parents or… from one of the biological parents being black. That is why, in situations like this, I also recommend a DNA test. A DNA test will tell you if you are the biological father. That way, your mind can rest.”
James sat back in his chair. “So you’re saying I need to test the baby?”
“Yes,” the doctor replied. “Either for skin conditions or for paternity. Without the tests, you will keep living in doubt.”
James thanked the doctor and left the hospital. As he drove home, his mind was made up — if Emily would not do the DNA test, he would take the baby himself for testing.
When he got home, Emily was in the kitchen preparing lunch.
“Emily,” he called from the doorway.
She turned. “What is it?”
“I went to the hospital today,” James said. “I spoke to a doctor. I told him about the baby’s skin color. He said white parents can have a black child, but it is very rare. He also said it could be a medical condition.”
Emily looked at him suspiciously. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because,” James continued, “he said the only way to know if it’s a medical condition is to do tests on the baby. And if it’s not a medical condition, then a DNA test will tell the truth.”
Emily dropped the spoon she was holding. “I am not going to any hospital. I already told you.”
James stepped closer. “If you won’t go for a DNA test, then I will take the baby to the hospital myself for the skin condition test. That way, we will know what we are dealing with.”
Emily shook her head firmly. “No. You are not taking my baby anywhere.”
James’s tone changed. “Our baby, Emily. If he is really mine, then I have the right to take him to the hospital. And if he’s not mine, I have the right to know.”
“I said no,” Emily replied. “You will not take him anywhere.”
James’s voice rose. “Why are you so afraid of a simple test? If you are telling the truth, then let’s just get it over with.”
“I am not afraid,” Emily snapped. “I am angry. Angry that my own husband will not trust me after all we’ve been through. You are supposed to protect me, not accuse me.”
James pointed toward the baby’s room. “Emily, that child’s future depends on knowing the truth. If it is a medical condition, we can treat it. But if you keep blocking this, then I will believe you are hiding something.”
Emily crossed her arms. “Say whatever you want. I will not go. And you will not take him either.”
James stared at her for a long moment. “You are really pushing me, Emily. I pay the rent for this house. I put food on this table. I am the one making sure the lights are on. If you think you can sit here and block me from knowing the truth, then you are mistaken.”
Emily’s voice was quiet but steady. “So now you are threatening me?”
James stepped even closer. “I am giving you one week. If by then you still refuse to take the baby to the hospital for the test, I will send both of you out of this house. I mean it.”
Why is Emily behaving like a stubborn mule?
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