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...
Lily finally gathered herself and returned to John. With shaky steps and a heavy heart, she told him that Mekus had once again rejected her. She pleaded with John to fulfill his promise of going with her to speak to Mekus. John agreed, though he was disappointed at how everything had turned out. On the agreed day, they both went to Mekus’s house. Lily’s heart pounded all through the journey. She hoped this would be her last chance to make things right. Mekus welcomed them politely, but he was not smiling. John began speaking slowly, his voice steady and clear. He said, “Mekus, I know this may feel strange, but I came here to tell you the truth. I have nothing to gain by standing here today. I only want peace. Lily has made many mistakes, and I do not support what she did, but I must tell you the truth as a man. This pregnancy belongs to you.” He looked directly into Mekus’s eyes. Lily kept her head low, ashamed of everything that had happened. Mekus folded his arms and listened, saying...