My SIL asked if my baby was “really” my husband’s at dinner.

The Paternity Scandal Erupts

My sister-in-law Clare has hated me since the day I married her brother. But last night at family dinner, she went nuclear.

We were celebrating my daughter Jenna’s first birthday. My seal asked if my baby was really my husband’s at dinner. I asked if hers was really her husband’s.

The whole family gathered, my parents, my husband Tom’s parents, his sister Clare with her husband Mark, and their two kids.

Jenna has gorgeous red hair. It’s striking copper curls that catch the light.

Neither Tom nor I have red hair, but my grandmother did. Genetics are funny that way. Claire’s been making comments since Jenna was born.

Interesting hair color. Where did that come from? So unique in your family. Last night she escalated.

During dinner, while Jenna sat in her high chair covered in mashed potatoes, Clare clinkedked her glass.

I have something to say, she announced. As family, I feel it’s my duty to address the elephant in the room.

Tom tensed beside me. His mother said, Clare, not now. When then? We’re all thinking it.

She turned to Tom. Have you considered a paternity test? The table went silent.

Excuse me. Tom’s voice was deadly quiet. Red hair, Tom.

Neither of you have red hair. And the timing. She smiled sweetly.

Jenna was born exactly 9 months after your Vegas conference. The one where you said Jennifer stayed home sick.

I had been sick. Food poisoning from bad sushi. Tom went alone.

Are you suggesting I started? I’m just saying what everyone’s thinking. That baby doesn’t look like Tom.

And we all know about Jenny’s college boyfriend, Ryan, the redhead. Ryan, who I dated for three months freshman year, 12 years ago, Tom’s mother gasped.

Claire, apologize immediately. I’m just concerned about my brother. If Jennifer trapped him with another man’s baby.

Enough. Tom slammed his hand on the table, but I stayed calm.

Deadly calm. I’d been preparing for this moment since Clare started her comments months ago.

You’re absolutely right, Clare. Paternity matters. In fact, I completely agree that family should verify these things.

She looked triumphant. So, you’ll do a test? Sure. Right after you.

What? I pulled out my phone. See, when you started making comments about Jenna, I got curious about your kids.

Your son Jake has brown eyes. You have blue. Mark has blue. Two blue-eyed parents can’t have a browneyed child.

Basic genetics. Clare went white. That’s not.

Genetics are complicated. They are. So, I did some digging.

Remember your husband’s best friend, Daniel? brown eyes. Spent a lot of time at your house eight years ago.

Right around when Jake was conceived. Mark looked at Clare. What is she talking about?

Nothing. She’s lying. Am I? I scrolled through my phone.

These are from your Instagram. You and Daniel. Lots of cozy photos from that summer.

This one’s interesting. You’re wearing Mark’s college shirt, but he was deployed then.

Who took this photo? Clare. Stop it. Clare hissed.

Oh, and Sarah, your daughter. She has that adorable cleft chin.

Neither you nor Mark have cleft chins, but your personal trainer Josh does. You trained with him a lot six years ago.

Mark stood up. Clareire, what the hell? She’s making things up. She’s deflecting.

Tom’s dad intervened. Everyone calm down. No, I said.

Clare wanted to discuss paternity at a family dinner. Let’s discuss it. I looked at Mark.

Did you know Clare had Josh’s number saved under pizza delivery in her phone?

Found that out from her friend Monica. They had a falling out last year. Monica’s very chatty after wine.

Clare was crying now. You investigated me. You accused me of cheating and trapping your brother.

You’ve been implying my daughter isn’t his for a year. So, yes, I looked into you.

Want to know what else I found? Please stop. She whispered.

The credit card statements showing hotel charges during your book club meetings. The second phone you keep at your office.

Mark grabbed his keys. Kids, we’re leaving.

Mark, wait. 8 years. 8 years I’ve been raising another man’s son.

Tom finally spoke. Actually, Mark, that’s not true. Everyone turned to him.

Jake is yours. I had a DNA test done months ago when Clare started this nonsense about Jenna.

Figured if she was projecting this hard about infidelity, maybe she had reason. Jake’s your biological son.

Then why does he have brown eyes? I asked, genuinely confused. Tom pulled out his phone.

Because Mark’s father has brown eyes. It can skip a generation. I asked your mom, Mark.

Your dad has brown eyes, right? Mark’s mother nodded. Yes, Harold has brown eyes.

So Jake wasn’t Daniel’s. But Clare didn’t know Tom had tested him.

Which meant? You thought Jake wasn’t Mark’s? I said to Clare.

For 8 years, you believed you were hiding another man’s child. Clare sobbed harder.

Mark looked destroyed. Even if Jake’s mine and Sarah, I asked. Want to explain Josh?