After 7 months of divorce, his ex-wife gave birth to a child that looked exactly like him. When the husband came to claim the child, he discovered an unexpected secret.
People often say that when one door closes, another path opens. However, for Marco, the broken marriage with his ex-wife – Isabel – was like a scar that never healed. He did not expect that, just 7 months after signing the divorce papers, Isabel gave birth to a child – and the child looked exactly like him. The day Marco decided to come to claim the child, thinking it would be a new beginning, he unexpectedly “revealed” a secret that he would never forget for the rest of his life.
Marco and Isabel were once admired by everyone as a beautiful couple. They knew each other since college in Manila, loved each other for 5 years before getting married. Their marriage was initially peaceful, but then conflicts began to arise.
The reason was not too big: Marco was busy with work, often came home late, and spent little time with his family. Isabel, on the other hand, wanted a simple home, with a husband, children, and meals full of laughter. The difference in expectations grew bigger and bigger.
In addition, economic pressure and the fact that Isabel had not had any good news after 2 years of marriage made the two even more distant. The family also began to gossip. Many nights, Marco came home late from work and saw Isabel sitting alone in the kitchen crying. But instead of coming over to comfort her, he just sighed and went upstairs to sleep. The indifference gradually killed their love.
Then one day, Isabel filed for divorce. She said she was tired of living in a house where her husband no longer looked at her with the same eyes as before. Marco initially objected, but after many arguments, he finally signed.
The day he left the court, it was pouring rain in Quezon City. Marco clearly remembered Isabel’s face at that time, her eyes red but determined. He didn’t know if it was a release or the biggest mistake of his life.
Surprise 7 months later
While struggling with his single life, Marco suddenly heard that Isabel had given birth. What shocked him was the image of the baby – through a photo sent by an acquaintance – that strangely resembled him. The eyes, the shape of the nose, even the smile were exactly like his childhood.
Marco’s heart was shaken, questions rushed through his head: “Is it my child? Why now? Why didn’t Isabel say anything?”
He decided to go to Isabel, to face the truth.
A fateful meeting
That day, Marco brought a basket of fruit and a box of milk to Isabel’s mother’s house – where she was confinement in Cebu. He felt both excited and worried. He was afraid that Isabel would chase him away, and also afraid of facing his former wife.
As soon as the door opened, Isabel’s mother paused a bit when she saw Marco. She didn’t say anything, just quietly led him into the room. In the small room, Isabel was holding the baby, sleeping soundly. When their eyes met, both of them stopped breathing for a few seconds.
The baby really looked like Marco. Looking at it, his heart ached. All the blame and anger seemed to disappear. He just wanted to reach out and touch the child he had missed since the very first days.
– “Isabel… the baby… is your child, right?” – Marco’s voice trembled.
Isabel was silent for a long time, then nodded slightly. Tears fell on her cheeks:
– “Yes. It is your child. But you signed the divorce papers, you chose to leave. Do you know how I suffered during the months I was pregnant?”
Marco was shocked. It turned out that when Isabel filed for divorce, she was pregnant without telling him.
The secret was revealed
Isabel took a thin file from the drawer and gave it to Marco:
– “This is the DNA test. I did it after giving birth. Please take a look.”
The result was clear: the baby was his own. An indescribable joy surged. But Isabel burst into tears:
– “You know… during the whole pregnancy, I hid it from everyone, even my parents. I was afraid that if I told you, you would reluctantly stay, not because of love. I wanted to keep my last bit of self-respect. But the price I had to pay was giving birth alone, amidst the gossip of the neighbors in Cebu, who thought I was promiscuous after the divorce…”
Marco was stunned. He never thought Isabel had to endure so much. During the days when he buried himself in work, thinking that he was also miserable because of the breakup, she had to shoulder all the pressure.
He hugged the baby, then looked up at Isabel:
– “I’m sorry… it’s all my fault. I missed the most important days for you and the baby. I will make it up, with everything I have.”
Isabel shook her head slightly:
– “I don’t need you to make amends. I just want you to be a proper father. The child needs both a father and a mother. As for you and me… maybe it’s too late to go back.”
Conclusion
In Marco’s heart, the joy of having his child acknowledged was mixed with the pain of losing his wife forever. He understood that there were mistakes that could not be reversed, the only way was to live better for the present and the future.
From that day on, Marco often visited his child, took care of him and made up for it. Even though they were no longer husband and wife, at least together they had become good fathers and mothers. And the secret that day – both painful and sweet – became the turning point for Marco to change himself.