Chapter 7
1850 Words
Troy continued his search for his parents. After weeks of following different clues, he finally arrived at the address he had been given. According to his investigation, the man living there could be his biological father. Troy stopped at the entrance of the large compound and looked at the beautiful building before him. The house was impressive. A carefully maintained garden surrounded it, while several expensive cars were parked neatly in front of the building. He checked the address on his phone again.
“This should be the place,” he whispered.
He looked at the house for a few more seconds. His heart was beating faster than usual. After Thirty years of wondering where he came from, he was finally standing in front of a house that might contain the answer. He placed a hand over his chest.
“Why am I so nervous?” he asked himself quietly. “I’ve faced bigger problems than this.”
He took a deep breath.
“I only want the truth.”
Troy walked toward the entrance and knocked. A few moments later, the door opened. An elderly man stood before him. He looked about sixty-five years old. His appearance was that of a man who had lived comfortably for many years.
“Good afternoon, young man,” he said.
“Good afternoon, sir.”
The old man smiled politely.
“Please, come in.”
Troy stepped inside. The man studied his face for a moment.
“Have we met before?”
Troy shook his head.
“No, sir. I don’t think so.”
The old man smiled again.
“You look familiar, though.”
Troy’s heart skipped.
“Maybe that is why I came, sir.”
The man’s smile disappeared slightly.
“What do you mean?”
Troy hesitated.
“I came because I am looking for my father.”
The old man became more attentive.
“Your father?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Who is your father?”
Troy looked at him.
“I was told that you might be the person I’m looking for.”
The old man’s eyes widened.
“Me?”
“Yes, sir.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke. They sat in the living room. The man introduced himself as Mr. Charles and offered Troy something to drink and Troy accepted. After a few moments of silence, he began explaining why he had come. He told Charles about his childhood and everything he had discovered during his search for his biological parents. Mr. Charles listened carefully. When Troy finished, the old man slowly placed his glass on the table.
“I’m sorry, young man,” he said. “But I believe there has been a mistake.”
Troy’s heart sank.
“A mistake?”
“Yes.”
“Why do you say that?”
Mr. Charles lowered his eyes.
“My son died Thirty two years ago.”
Troy stared at him.
“Your son?”
“Yes.”
Mr. Charles took a slow breath.
“My first wife was pregnant with our child. We were expecting a baby boy.”
“What happened?”
“She went into labor one night. I drove her to the hospital myself.”
The old man’s voice became quieter.
“When I returned home, I received the worst news of my life.”
Troy leaned forward.
“What news?”
“My wife was dead.”
He paused.
“And so was my son.”
Troy remained silent.
“My son died immediately after birth,” Charles continued. “At least, that was what I was told.”
Troy’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Were you certain?”
Mr. Charles looked at him.
“How could I forget the death of my own child?”
“I understand, sir.”
Troy hesitated before asking his next question.
“Did you see him?”
The old man became quiet.
“I saw my wife.”
“And your son?”
Mr. Charles looked away.
“I was told that he had already been buried.”
“Who told you?”
“The hospital staff.”
He paused.
“And my second wife.”
Troy noticed the sadness in his expression.
“What about your wife? Your first wife?”
“She was buried here.”
Mr. Charles pointed toward the compound.
“Under that mango tree.”
Troy slowly turned his head toward the window. He could see the mango tree outside. For a moment, he couldn’t speak.
“I’m sorry, sir.”
Mr. Charles nodded.
“Thank you.”
Troy looked back at him.
“I was also told that my mother died after giving birth to me.”
Mr. Charles frowned.
“What?”
“My mother died shortly after I was born.”
The old man’s expression changed.
“And you were separated from your father?”
“Yes.”
Charles stared at him.
“If that is true, then there are questions I cannot answer.”
Troy nodded.
“That is exactly why I’m here.”
Before Charles could say anything else, a woman entered the room. She was elegantly dressed and carried herself with a calm, welcoming manner. She smiled when she saw Troy.
“Charles, who is our guest?”
Charles turned toward her.
“Jane, come and meet him.”
The woman approached.
“This is my wife, Jane.”
Jane smiled warmly.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Troy stood.
“Nice to meet you too, ma.”
Jane laughed softly.
“Oh, please. Don’t call me ma. Just call me Jane.”
Troy smiled politely. Jane turned toward her husband.
“What brings him here?”
Charles explained everything and Jane listened quietly. Unlike what Troy expected, she did not become angry. Instead, she looked at him with sympathy.
“So you’ve spent all these years searching for your parents?”
“Yes.”
Jane’s expression softened.
“That must have been difficult.”
Troy nodded.
“It hasn’t been easy.”
Jane sat down.
“I’m sorry you’ve had to live with so many unanswered questions.”
Troy looked at her.
“Thank you.”
Jane glanced at Charles.
“If there is even a possibility that this young man could be your son, shouldn’t we help him find out?”
Charles looked surprised.
“You think so?”
“Of course.”
Jane smiled at Troy.
“You came here looking for answers. You shouldn’t leave without getting one.”
Troy felt a little relieved. For the first time since beginning his investigation, he felt that perhaps he had come to the right place. Jane stood.
“You must have travelled a long way. Let me get you something to eat.”
“Thank you, but you don’t have to.”
“Nonsense,” Jane replied warmly. “You are our guest.”
She called the house help and asked her to prepare something for Troy. Then Jane turned back to him.
“You should stay for lunch.”
Troy smiled.
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
At that moment, a young woman entered the room. Jane looked at her.
“Chizzy, come here.”
The young woman walked toward them.
“This is Troy. He has come to speak with your father.”
Chizzy looked at Troy.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too.”
There was something about her that immediately caught Troy’s attention. It wasn’t only her beauty. There was a calmness about her. The way she spoke. The way she carried herself. For a brief moment, she reminded him of Vanessa. But Troy quickly pushed the thought away. He hadn’t come to this house looking for love. He had come looking for his parents. As they ate, Charles continued asking Troy questions about his life.
“Where had he grown up? Who had raised him? Where had he been born?”
Troy answered honestly. Jane listened to everything. She occasionally asked questions of her own.
“You must have a strong heart to keep searching for so many years,” she said.
“I just want to know the truth.”
“And you deserve to know it,” Jane replied.
She smiled at him.
“If I were in your position, I would want answers too.”
Troy nodded.
“Exactly.”
Jane looked at her husband.
“Charles, I think you should take the DNA test.”
Charles looked at her.
“You agree?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
She smiled.
“If the test proves that he is your son, then we will welcome him into this family. And if it proves otherwise, at least the young man will finally know that he has to continue looking elsewhere.”
Troy looked at Jane gratefully.
“Thank you.”
Jane smiled.
“You don’t need to thank me. Everyone deserves to know where they come from.”
Chizzy nodded.
“I agree with Mom.”
Charles remained thoughtful.
“I suppose you’re right.”
Troy felt a sense of hope he hadn’t experienced in a long time.
“Thank you, sir.”
Charles nodded.
“We will arrange the test.”
Jane smiled.
“Of course.”
When Troy eventually stood to leave, Jane walked him toward the door.
“Please take care of yourself,” she said warmly.
“I will.”
“And don’t worry too much. Whatever the result is, you will find your answers.”
Troy smiled.
“I hope so.”
Jane smiled back.
“You will.”
Troy thanked her and walked toward his car. Jane remained at the doorway, watching him leave. She waved when Troy looked back. He waved in return before getting into his car. A few moments later, the gates opened, and Troy’s car disappeared down the road. Jane slowly lowered her hand. Her smile remained on her face for another second before she turned and walked back inside. Charles was still sitting in the living room.
“I can’t believe this,” he said quietly.
Jane looked at him.
“Neither can I.”
Charles sighed.
“After thirty years plus, someone comes here claiming to be my son.”
Jane sat beside him.
“That’s why we need the DNA test.”
Charles nodded.
“Yes. We need the truth.”
Jane reached for his hand.
“And whatever the result is, we’ll face it together.”
Charles looked at her and smiled faintly.
“You’re right.”
Upstairs, Chizzy stood by the window, watching the road. She couldn’t explain why, but something about Troy’s arrival had left her curious. Meanwhile, Troy drove home with a strange feeling in his heart. For the first time, his search seemed to be moving somewhere. He had found a man who might be his father. The man had agreed to a DNA test. And, unexpectedly, the family had welcomed him. But there was still one question he couldn’t answer.
“What would the DNA test reveal?”
The answer was only days away.
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