That was the point I knew something was not right. The look on Dad’s face changed in an instant. His eyes widened, and all the color drained from his cheeks.

“Where did you hear that name?” he asked, looking around to ensure Mom wasn’t around.

I told him about the test results. As I spoke, I watched his expressions change. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then said something I wasn’t expecting.

“Listen,” he said in a low voice, “don’t tell your mom about this, alright? She doesn’t know. I had an affair years ago. If she finds out, she’ll leave.”

I nodded, promising not to say anything. But as I returned to my room, something didn’t sit right.

Dad’s reaction seemed off. It was like there was more to the story than he was letting on.

I couldn’t sleep that night. I kept staring at the test results, wondering what to do next.

Should I… should I text him? I thought.

Texting him meant I’d be going against my dad. But I couldn’t think of another way to find out the truth.

So, I immediately clicked on his profile and reached out to him.

To my surprise, he responded within half an hour.

Billy? Is it really you? I can’t believe it!

We exchanged a few messages, and before I knew it, we’d agreed to meet at a café the next day.

Was I doing the right thing by going behind my dad’s back?

The next morning, I told Mom I was going out with my best friend and walked to the café. I didn’t have to do much to recognize Daniel. I immediately spotted him, and it felt like I was looking in a mirror.

He looked SO MUCH like me.

“Billy?” he asked, standing up.

I nodded, unable to speak. We sat down, and neither of us knew what to say.

Finally, Daniel broke the silence.

“You remember the lake by our old house?” he asked, smiling. “We’d swing on that old, rusty swing set and throw rocks into the water.”

“No, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I shook my head. “We never lived together.”

Daniel’s smile faded. “What do you mean? We lived together until we were five or six. Don’t you remember? And Scruffy, the dog, he’d follow us everywhere.”

I felt defensive. This guy was talking nonsense.

“My dad says you’re the affair child. I only found out about you days ago.”

“Wait… you think I’m the affair child?” He asked. “So, you don’t remember that day? The fire?”

“Fire?”

He nodded. “Yeah, our house burned down when we were little. Our parents didn’t make it.”

“What?” I was shocked.

“Yeah, and I remember how you saved me. Afterward, you were adopted, and I was sent to some other family. The adoption process required me never reaching out.”

“That… that can’t be right,” I shook my head. “I’m not adopted. I would know if I was.”

“This is the truth, Billy,” he said. “I don’t know why your parents never told you anything.”