Nancy’s world fell apart at her husband’s funeral when an unfamiliar older woman appeared, holding a baby—and claiming the child was Patrick’s. Was this true—or was an even darker secret about to surface?
As Nancy stood quietly, watching the final moments of Patrick’s funeral, the reality hadn’t sunk in. A car accident had taken him from her, but a week later, it still felt like he was somehow near. How could he really be gone?
Heavy with grief, she turned toward the cemetery’s exit, telling herself it was time to rebuild her life.
Then, suddenly, an older woman holding a baby stepped in front of her.
“Are you Nancy?” the woman asked softly, as the baby in her arms fussed.
Nancy stared, confused. She didn’t know this woman.
“I am. Who are you?” Nancy replied.
What came next stunned her. The woman, Amanda, said the baby was Patrick’s—and that Nancy was the only one who could care for her. The baby’s mother couldn’t provide.
A cold shiver ran through Nancy. She looked at the infant, then took a step back.
“No. This can’t be. Patrick loved me. He wouldn’t have done this.”
Refusing to accept it, Nancy turned away.
“Watch out!” someone called.
She nearly bumped into Mike, a close friend of Patrick’s. Overwhelmed, Nancy hadn’t noticed him. He offered condolences and polite conversation, which she barely returned before heading to her car.
But when she opened the door, shock hit her—the same baby Amanda had held was now in her back seat, crying.
Panicked, Nancy looked around—Amanda was gone. How did the baby get here?
It was cold, so Nancy wrapped the baby in her jacket to keep her warm.
Then she noticed a small birthmark on the baby’s neck.
“No way,” she whispered.
The birthmark was identical to Patrick’s. The resemblance was impossible to ignore. Though Nancy didn’t want to believe he’d been unfaithful, she needed answers.
Determined, Nancy took the baby home, found Patrick’s old hairbrush, and pulled out some strands. She drove straight to the hospital.
“I need a paternity test,” she told the receptionist.
“Results take a few days,” the woman said.
“Can it be faster? I’m willing to pay extra,” Nancy said firmly.
They agreed to expedite it—for a fee.
Sitting in the hospital with the baby, Nancy waited anxiously. When the baby cried, she checked her diaper—clean.
“She must be hungry,” Nancy thought.
She ran to a nearby store, bought formula and diapers, then fed the baby while waiting for the results.
Finally, a nurse came with an envelope.
Nancy took a deep breath. “Time to face the truth.”
Opening it, her heart sank. “Paternity—99%.”
Tears welled as she looked at the sleeping child in her arms. Patrick had betrayed her, hiding a secret life she never imagined.
But Nancy knew she couldn’t raise this baby as a symbol of betrayal. She had to find the mother.
Back home, she searched Patrick’s belongings—every drawer, every corner—finding nothing.
She checked his home office, but still no clues—no letters, no photos, no names.
The baby slept in the living room as Nancy grabbed the baby monitor and went to search Patrick’s car—glove box, under seats, hidden compartments—again, nothing.
Slumping into the driver’s seat, hopeless, her eyes caught the GPS.
Patrick was terrible with directions, so if he’d visited this woman, he’d have used it.
She checked “Recent Destinations.” Most were familiar—work, stores, restaurants—but one address appeared repeatedly, and she didn’t recognize it.
“This must be where he went.”
With the baby in tow, Nancy headed straight to the unknown address…
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