Second Chance : A Rare Opportunity

Chapter 16

Daniel

I am driving in the direction of Kevin’s school. I am really excited to spend my time with him. I told Matt to prepare gifts and toys for both Kevin and Ken.

Am I trying to bribe a kid?

I don’t know. I just want to start my relationship with my son on the good note. And I am sure he must like toys like every other kid.

I reached at the right time, in fact I am ten minutes early. I waited there until I saw Ken and Kevin came running out of school gate.

I went on my knees to hug my Ken who was running towards me. Kevin just stood there in front of me. I also pulled him into a hug and he showed his toothy smile, melting my heart.

I pulled away from the hug and said, “Let’s go have something delicious to eat”.

Kevin replied, “I am waiting for my Mommy. She will be here”. Right at that time a lady came towards us.

She works at Sophia’s house, I know. I have seen her photo in the file Matt gave me when I told him to find out about Sophia.

“Yes Miss….” I trailed.

“I am Layla, I am here to pick Kevin” she introduced.

“I am Daniel Knight, Ken’s uncle. I wanted to take Kevin with me for a lunch. You can come with us” I told her.

“I am sorry but I need to ask Sophia first. I can’t let him go with you without her permission. I am sorry, I hope you understand” she said making me a little angry.

But I controlled myself and went close to her. “No I don’t understand why can’t a father eat with his own son. Why do I need permission”.

I know I am being unreasonable and she is doing right thing for Kevin’s safety. But every time anyone tries to make me stay away from my son, it causes me to los

e my temper.

Her eyes widened upon hearing my words. “So call Sophia and tell her I am taking Kevin with me to the restaurant which is two blocks down from here. As I said earlier, you can come with us but I am taking him”.

Saying this I turned around to look at my son. I bent down to his level and said, “Mommy is coming Kevin. Let’s go wait at the restaurant for her”.

He looked towards Layla to confirm and when I gave her a look daring her to say no, she instantly nodded her head.

We settled inside the car and I started driving. In minutes we reached there. We made our way inside but Layla said she will come after informing Sophia.

I didn’t have any problem so I nodded my head and entered inside but not before telling her to ask for the room which is reserved by Mr. Knight, at reception.

Yes I booked a room because I want my privacy with my family.

As soon as we entered into the room both, Ken and Kevin gasped in surprise. The whole room is filled with toys and gifts.

I told them to choose whichever they want. They happily strode to check all the toys.

After few minutes we started eating. Layla told me Sophia is on her way. I know she is going to be angry but I came prepared. And I know how to melt her heart.

We were eating while Ken and Kevin were talking about the toys as if they were talking about some serious business stuff. I am happy that both of them get along well.

The door of the room opened and Sophia entered inside. She is angry, I can feel it. She said she wants to talk with me and we came into another room.

When she said I kidnapped her son, it angered me. Why would I kidnap my own son?

But I tried to control my anger and decided to leave the room when her next words caused me to stop in my tracks.

“You know what, I should be really happy to see you in this condition but I don’t know why I really feel pity for you” She said.

I turned around to look at her but didn’t say anything.

“Look how happy you are to find your son. Even my Kevin was so happy to get all those gifts from you” she said but I am not getting what exactly is she getting at.

“What are you trying to say?” I asked getting confused with her words.

“I don’t want you to play with my Kevin’s feelings. I don’t want you to give him any false hope. Because I know you are just going to throw him away once you find out the truth” she said.

This again angered me but for unknown reasons I was feeling fear in my heart.

“What rubbish are you talking? Why would I throw him, my own son awa…..”

“Because he is not your son” she screamed cutting me off and a lone tear left from her eye.

“So please I request you to stay away from him” she said wiping her tears and left the room.

I was standing there stunned on my place, not able to move. She said he is not my son.

And this time I felt like she wasn’t lying. She was telling me the truth. So who’s his father, if not me.

So many questions are flooding my mind. I made my way to the room where we were eating. Sophia has already left with Kevin and only Ken is sitting here.

She didn’t even take the toys and gifts. I decided to drop Ken at home first before going to office.

On my way home I called Matt and told him to run a DNA test for Kevin. I need to confirm it myself or else I will go crazy.

I reached home and made my way inside with Ken. Crystal was sitting on the couch in the living room. Once inside, Ken ran into his room but not before kissing me and his mom.

“What happened Dan? You look so down, did something happen with Sophia” Crystal asked me after looking at my face.

I sat beside her. “I don’t know Crystal. I don’t understand what to do”.

“Did Sophia say something?” she asked.

“She said that Kevin is not my son. And it didn’t look like she was lying” I said.

“You should do DNA but I am sure he is yours” she said.

“Why are you so sure that he is my son? Since the moment you first saw him, you strongly believe that he is mine. What makes you so sure?” I asked the question I wanted to ask her.

She gulped visibly and I knew there is something which she is hiding from me.

“I knew you were hiding something. Tell me Crystal, what is it?” I asked.

“It’s nothing….” I cut her off and said, “Don’t…. Don’t lie to me. I know that you know something which I don’t know about”.

“Okay, I will tell you once DNA report is out. But please wait patiently for a while and trust me on this, Kevin is yours and I will tell you how I am so sure about it” she said making me more confused.

But I will wait because it won’t take long for DNA report as I have connections in national forensic where it would be fastest to get the results.

I wanted to ask Crystal, what she is hiding but I stopped myself thinking I will find everything once results are out. Right now I don’t want to argue with her regarding this matter.

I changed my plan and didn’t go to office. I won’t be able to focus on work anyways.

It’s been four hours since I returned from school after picking Ken up. Matt called me earlier and said he is on the way and he has the results with him.

I haven’t moved from my place and still sitting on the couch. My mind has stopped working.

Door bell rang and maid opened the door for Matt. He entered inside and handed me the envelope with DNA report. I took it in my hand.

With hesitation I opened the envelope. Crystal scooted closer to me and squeezed my hand and said, “It’s okay Dan. Open it”.

I obeyed and took the report out of the envelope and scanned it with my eyes.

My eyes landed on the red line at the bottom of the report and the papers fell from my hands.

DNA does not match. It means he is not my son. She was not lying when she said Kevin is not mine.

I came out of my shocking state upon hearing Crystal’s surprise filled voice when she said, “How is this possible?”

I looked at her face and she was more shocked than me as if she was not expecting this result.

“What do you mean Crystal?” I asked.

“It should be your child Dan. It should be yours” she said.

“Why are you so sure that Kevin should be my child? She might have gotten pregnant after I left her” I said. But even the thought of someone else touching her is burning my insides.

But her next words made me freeze on my spot and my heart felt an emotion which I assume to be regret.

“No, She was pregnant at the time you left her”.