Father’s Day was supposed to be special. But my five-year-old daughter shattered my heart with a single sentence.
“Daddy,” she said from her booster seat, “can we invite my real dad to dinner? He comes when you’re at work.”
I froze. “Your… real dad?”
She nodded. “He brings me chocolate. We play tea party. Mommy makes him dinner. You know him. He said he’s my real daddy.”
My mind raced. Was she imagining it? I couldn’t risk blowing up—so I stayed calm.
“Wow, that’s a big surprise,” I said, smiling. “Hey, want to play a secret game? Invite him to Father’s Day dinner—but don’t tell Mommy. Or him. It’ll be our little secret.”
She giggled, thrilled. “Okay! I love games!”
I just nodded, heart pounding. Because this game? It would end in truth.
***
Sunday couldn’t come fast enough. Jess claimed she had an engagement shoot at the lake. I smiled and nodded, pretending to believe her. I told her Lily and I had a special day planned. Truth was, I called the sitter and waited.
At 6:07 p.m., a knock.
I opened the door—and nearly dropped the tray. Adam. That was my “so-called” best friend since college. He was my best man, my fishing buddy, and my daughter’s “Uncle Adam.”
“Hey… bro. Wow, didn’t know you’d be home. What a—what a surprise!”
Behind him, Jess was walking up the path. She stopped mid-step, her mouth parting in horror.
“Danny?!” she said. “What are you—?”
I opened the door wider with a smile I had to force through my teeth.
“Come on in, buddy! My best friend! We were just about to eat.”
His face drained of color. Jess looked like she was about to collapse. Adam sat down stiffly, obviously sweating. Jess avoided my gaze as she took her seat.
“So,” I began, sitting across from him. “Just heard you’ve been around. Brought chocolates. Had some dinners. Did some bonding.”
Jess jumped in, too fast. “He just stopped by once or twice. Lily loves visitors. You know how she is.”
I nodded, tapping my glass. “Right, right. No big deal. Just a guy stopping by to see his daughter.”
The air thickened. Jess’s fork froze halfway to her mouth. Adam set down his wine with a shaking hand.
“W-What are you talking about?” Jess whispered.
The silence afterward was total. Then Jess made a strangled sound. Adam turned white!
“We were going to tell you,” he said quickly. “Look, man, I just wanted to be there for her.”
I leaned back, still calm, too calm.
“For your daughter?” I asked. “Interesting. You mean the one I’ve been raising for five years? The one who has my name? My eyes? My routines?”
I stood and pushed my chair back. My heart pounded in my chest, but I kept my voice even. “You both have ten minutes. Get your things. Get out of my house.”
They left in stunned silence. Adam muttered something about being sorry. Jessica couldn’t meet my eyes. I didn’t watch them leave. I just held Lily.
The next day, I filed for divorce. Adam tried to call, text, and email. I blocked him everywhere.
We started paternity testing a few days later, but the truth is, I don’t care about the results. Whether or not she’s biologically mine doesn’t change a thing. She’s my daughter. I’ve raised her, held her through fevers, danced with her in the kitchen. I’ve wiped her tears, her nose, her face. She’s mine.