Jakob

I fumble the car keys into the ignition, my mind still racing. The car turns on and I start driving. I see Ola watching me through the rear-view mirror as I drive away from the hospital. I feel really bad for leaving her there but right now I need to be on my own. She can handle herself. My thoughts soon turn away from Ola and to my… well, no longer my daughter Joy and Jean. How could she? Our relationship hasn't always been plain sailing, yet I always though there was enough mutual trust and respect in order for us to tell each other stuff like this. Apparently, she didn't feel the same way. The cold hand of injustice has struck me yet again. A premature death for my wife and now the snatching away of my chance to be a father again.

You'd forgive me for thinking if there is some kind of sick ploy against me. It's the hope that kills you. That's the saying. And it's one I believe is extremely apt for the way I feel right now. I don't even pay attention to where I'm driving, almost as if I'm on autopilot as I retreat into my own thoughts. I tried and tried with her. I really dd truly care about her. Ultimately it didn't matter, and with this revelation, I no longer had any ties, any affiliation to this woman and her family. There's no need for me to keep in contact anymore. And the fact that she had a paternity test done shows this. She knew there was a possibility that it wasn't mine. And that is the thing that hurts the most.

Jean

While the doctors and nurses retrieve baby Joy for me, I start to ask about my family. I'm told they're on their way to come and see me, all 3 of them. I brace myself for their arrival, as I'm sure there's going to be a lot of questions. Eventually, I see the outline of Otis through the frosted glass, followed by the figure of Eric and… is that Remi? They walk in and I'm immediately hugged by Otis.

'Mum' he says. 'Are you okay?'

I turn to my son. 'Yes, for now' I say. 'It's gonna take more than that to get rid of me.'

'Hi Jean' says Eric. 'I'm glad you're okay.'

'Thank you, Eric,' I say before turning to Remi.

'Remi' I say.

'Jean' he responds.

'What are you doing here, where's Jakob and Ola?' I ask.

'Well,' he begins. 'Someone phoned me and said the mother of my child was very sick, so I came down to be with Otis. I know it's not very in keeping with my fatherly record up to this point, but I thought I'd be here.'

'As for Jakob and Ola' Otis cuts in. 'I don't think they want to see you right now.'

'Why?' I ask, puzzled.

'Because' Otis says, looking equally as puzzled. 'The paternity test. Jakob's not Joy's father.'

'Oh my God' I say, realising what has happened. 'No, that's not it. It wasn't for Joy. Jakob is 100% Joy's father, there's no doubt about that. The doctor's must have assumed it was for Joy when I went unconscious. That test was for Ola.'