My wife’s announcement that we were having a child made me feel absolutely ecstatic.

We had been trying for quite some time, and we couldn’t wait to become parents for the very first time. One day, however, while we were making preparations for the birth, Vera revealed a shocking revelation.

“I do not want you to be in the delivery room,” she continued, maintaining a calm and steady tone in her voice.

It was as if someone had punched me in the chest. “What is it? “Why?”

“Vera averted her gaze.” “All I did was… This is something that I have to do by myself. Please have faith in me.

Not entirely, I did not get it. On the other hand, Vera was the person I trusted the most, and I loved her more than anything else.

If she required this, I would be willing to comply with her request. In spite of this, a tense knot began to form in the center of my stomach.

The tension in that knot increased as the date of Vera’s due date drew closer.

I had a feeling that something significant was about to happen the night before her scheduled induction, and I was unable to sleep. I was tossing and turning, and I couldn’t get to sleep.

We made our way to the medical facility the following morning. After giving Vera a passionate kiss at the entrance of the maternity unit, I watched as they wheeled her away.

The hours seemed to drag on forever. I moved about the waiting room, drank an excessive amount of coffee that was bitter, and checked my phone on a regular basis.

All of a sudden, a physician showed up. His expression was so gloomy that it made my heart drop. The situation was not right.

His tone was strained as he asked, “Mr. Voss?” Say, “Come with me.”

Despite the fact that my head was racing with terrible choices, I followed. How was Vera doing? Is it the infant? Now that we had arrived at the delivery room, he opened the door for us. My desire to see Vera compelled me to rush in.

Although she was fatigued, she was still alive. After a brief moment of relief, I noticed that she was holding a bundle in her arms.

The infant, who was our infant, had skin as white as snow, strands of blonde hair, and eyes that were shockingly blue.

What exactly is this? I uttered the words, my tone being aloof and eccentric.

In her eyes, Vera saw a mixture of affection and dread as she gazed up. “Nico, I am able to tell you—”

However, I was deaf to her whispers. I was overcome with feelings of rage and betrayal. “What exactly is it? That you stole from me? Doesn’t this not belong to myself?

“No, no!” To Nico, I beg you—”

“Vera, never tell a lie!” I yelled, my voice cracking as I did so. “No, I am not blind. “That is not our little one!”

I was beyond reason, despite the fact that nurses moved about us in an attempt to settle things down. My chest felt as if it were being torn apart by a knife. In what way could she betray us in such a manner?

The word “Nico!” Vera’s piercing voice was able to penetrate. Take a look at the infant. Take a good look.”

Her tone halted my progress. During the time that she was turning the infant and pointing to its right ankle, I looked down.

A little birthmark in the shape of a crescent was present, and it was identical to mine and other birthmarks in my family.

I felt the fury leave me, and it was replaced with a sense of mystery. I hushed with a whisper, “I don’t get it.”

The breath that Vera took was unsteady. “There is something that I ought to have shared with you many years ago.”

As soon as the infant became calm, Vera explained.

She had undergone genetic testing while we were engaged to be married. The results demonstrated that she has a rare recessive gene that, regardless of our look, might result in facial features and skin that is light in color.

Despite the fact that her voice was shaking, she explained, “I didn’t tell you because it seemed so unlikely.” “And I believed that it wouldn’t make a difference. Each other was loved by us. This is what really mattered.”

While my head was whirling, I slumped into a chair. “However, how…”

Vera remarked, “You must also be a carrier of the gene.” It is possible for it to conceal itself in both of the parents, and then… She made a motion toward our infant.

Without being aware of the storm that was occurring around her, our young girl slept soundly.

I glanced at the birthmark, which was indisputable evidence, but my mind was having trouble keeping up with it.

While tears were streaming, Vera remarked, “I am so sorry that I did not tell you about it.” “I was terrified, and as time went on, I began to feel that it was less significant. It never occurred to me that something like this might take place.

It was a part of me that wanted to keep my anger, and I did. Nevertheless, upon witnessing Vera, exhausted and fragile, as well as our teeny-tiny, flawless infant, a more powerful emotion took over: a fierce, protective love.

From a standing position, I encircled each of them with my arms. I whispered into Vera’s hair, “We’ll figure out a way to get through this.” “In agreement.”

However, the difficulties we faced were only beginning.

The moment we brought our baby home ought to have been filled with unadulterated happiness. On the contrary, it was as if I were setting foot in a storm.

My family was quite excited to greet the new member of the family. On the other hand, when they saw our baby, who had light complexion and blonde hair, hysteria broke out.

“Is this supposed to be something else?” Talia, my mother, asked, her eyes narrowing as she stared from the infant to Vera. Vera was his companion.

I positioned myself in front of Vera, thereby discouraging their gazes. “Mom, this is your daughter’s grandchild.”

Sasha, my sister, laughed it off. “Nico, how about you? To expect us to purchase that is unreasonable.

The tone of my voice remained steady as I stated, “It is true.” Both Vera and I are carriers of a rare gene. Everything was explained by the physician.

However, they was not paying attention. The voice of my brother Kai was low when he took me aside. I know you love her, but Nico, you have to confront the truth. That’s not your child, is it?

As my rage grew, I gave him a firm shake. “Kai, it is my dear child. Note the birthmark that is located on her ankle. The same may be said for mine.

No matter how I proceeded to describe or demonstrate the birthmark, they continued to be skeptical.

Every visit turned into a questioning session, with Vera being the subject of the most intense suspicion.

After a week had passed since I had brought the baby home, I awoke one night to the sound of the nursery door creaking. Talia was bending over the crib when I crept down the corridor, and I was immediately alerted to her presence.

Do you know what you’re doing? I let out a hiss.

Her eyes were filled with shame as she jumped while holding a wet washcloth. When I found out that she had been attempting to remove the birthmark that she believed to be phony, my stomach churned.

My voice was quivering with anger as I responded, “That’s enough right now.” Please leave. Right now”

Nico, I was just about to—”

“Get out!” More loudly, I said.

Worried, Vera made her appearance in the hallway. “What exactly is going on?”

As I informed her what Talia had done, I watched as her expression became filled with hurt and rage. She had been patient with my family’s uncertainties, but this went beyond what was acceptable.

“In my opinion, it would be best for your family to depart,” Vera whispered.

I faced Talia and nodded my head. “Mom, I love you, but I can’t be with you anymore. If you do not welcome our child, you will not be a part of our lives. It is easy to understand.”

Talia’s expression became more resolute. You’re going to prioritize her over your family, right?

I firmly responded with “No.” Vera and our child are more important to me than your reservations and prejudices.

After she had left, I felt a mixture of relief and sadness as I shut the door behind her. Despite the fact that I loved my family, I could not allow their distrust to spoil our happiness.

We both collapsed into the couch, exhausted. Vera and I. While I was drawing her closer to me, I mumbled, “I am so sorry.” I ought to have brought them to a halt earlier.

With a sigh, she leaned very close to me. You are not to blame for this. I can see why they are having such a time. It is only that I wish…”

Then I kissed her on the forehead and said, “I know.” “I am as well.”

In the weeks that followed, there were a lot of restless nights, diaper changes, and stressful phone calls from family members.

Vera came up to me with a determined expression one afternoon as I was rocking the baby to sleep a few hours earlier.

In a low voice, she expressed her opinion that we ought to obtain a DNA test.

My chest became more taut. “Vera, there is no need for us to provide any evidence. In my opinion, she is ours.

My hand was taken by her as she sat next to me. “Nico, I am aware that you hold that belief. That is why I love you so much. However, your family will not allow this to go unnoticed. Perhaps the evidence will convince them to accept her.

She was absolutely correct. We were becoming exhausted as a result of the persistent uncertainty.

“Okay,” I responded. “Let’s get it done.”

On the day that the findings were announced, Vera was holding the baby while I was clutching her hand tightly. We were sitting in the doctor’s office. He entered the room carrying a document, his expression remaining unmoved.

It was him who delivered the results to Mr. and Mrs. Voss. “Here they are.”

I suddenly became afraid, and I held my breath. Suppose, by some awful twist of fate, the test turned out to be negative. What would I be able to do?

With a grin on his face, the physician opened the folder. “The results of the DNA test indicate that you, Mr. Voss, are the father.”

It was a torrent of relief. Vera wept in silence, her tears a mixture of happiness and vindication. There was a weight lifted off of me as I hugged both of them.

Due to the findings, I decided to hold a meeting of the family.

People gathered in our living room, including my mother, my siblings, and a few aunts and uncles, and they looked at the infant with a mixture of wonder and distrust.

As I stood in front of them, I produced the results. I spoke with a firm voice and said, “I know you’ve had doubts.” But it’s time to put an end to this. We carried out a DNA test.

The results were distributed to everyone, and I watched as they read the truth. Some appeared stunned, while others appeared embarrassed. While Talia was holding the paper, her hands began to shake.

She uttered in a feeble voice, “I… I don’t get it.” “Whoa, was that recessive gene thing actually true?”

I responded with a “yes.” At all times, it was genuine.

One by one, they expressed their regret. All of them seemed real, even though some of them were embarrassing and others were passionate. Last to speak was Talia.

Her eyes welled up with tears as she uttered, “I am so sorry.” “Are you able to forgive me?”

Vera stood up and gave her a hug, which was nicer than I could have been. “Of course,” she whispered in a low voice. That we are a family.

I felt a sense of calm wash over me as they clasped, our infant cooing in the space between them. The appearance of our family might not have been what they had anticipated, but it was ours. That was the most important thing.