The Secret Heir of My Wife and Stepfather

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On the day of the baby's one-month celebration, the restaurant was crawling with security guards. My mother, Martha, was visibly on edge.

She wasn't worried about the baby's safety. She was terrified that I would show up and ruin everything.

She had every reason to be scared. That baby was the child my wife had conceived with my stepfather.

My wife, Roxy, looked anxious. "If Caleb comes here and makes a scene, the truth will come out," she whispered.

My stepfather, Jude Walker, puffed out his chest. "Don't worry. I'll protect this child with my life if I have to."

Martha rolled her eyes at them. "Oh, grow up. My son does whatever I tell him. If I tell him to raise this boy as his own, he'll do it."

Not a single person in that family felt a shred of guilt.

My mother believed she was doing something noble by giving her lover an heir.

Roxy actually convinced herself she was doing me a favor by taking care of my parents while I was away for work.

But I never showed up.

Instead, I took my savings and the deed to the house and went to stay with a friend.

I wanted to see how long these three could live in their twisted little paradise.

By the time I make it to the top, they'll be nothing but strangers to me.

I didn't get home until late after drinks with a friend. The moment I walked through the door, I saw them huddled on the sofa, playing with the baby.

It was a picture-perfect family scene that made my skin crawl.

"Look at those big eyes! He's so precious, he looks just like Jude," my mother cooed.

She held the baby close, showering his face with kisses.

"Well, his father is a handsome man. It's only natural the boy inherited his best features," Roxy added.

Jude's eyes were burning with a look that was far from fatherly. If my mother hadn't been in the room, I'm sure they would have started an R-rated movie right there on the rug.

But Martha didn't notice. She was too busy being proud.

"I've always had great taste in men. It's good the baby looks like Jude and not like my son's late father. That man had the face of a loser who was born to suffer."

My heart twisted. She hadn't always talked about my dad that way.

After he died, she used to cry over his photos, telling me how much I looked like him. She said seeing me was like keeping him alive.

But since I returned from my latest shipping contract, everything had changed.

I stood in the doorway for a long time before anyone noticed me.

"Oh, Caleb's back," Jude said, faking a warm greeting.

My mother immediately pinched her nose in disgust.

"You reek of booze. And why did you bring all those bags inside? They're filthy."

She scoffed, crossing her arms. "What happened? Did you get fired? You're useless. If you can't even keep a job, you'll never amount to anything."

I stayed silent. Roxy timidly brought the baby toward me.

"Caleb, don't be mad. Mom said we needed to carry on the family line for Jude. It's not a big deal since we're all family anyway."

She looked up at me with those manipulative eyes. "Once I'm recovered, I'll give you a child of your own, okay?"

I almost laughed at the sheer absurdity of their logic.

"Jude is only sixteen years older than you, Roxy. How do you even say the word 'Dad' without gagging?"

I looked at the baby. "If we're following the family tree, this kid is my brother. Why should he call me Dad?"

Jude was six years younger than my mother. They met a year ago while I was away.

Apparently, he had saved my mother and Roxy from a mugging. Martha fell for his face instantly and insisted on marrying him.

My mother suddenly grabbed an ashtray and hurled it at my feet.

"Have you no heart! When we were being robbed, Jude risked his life for us! Where were you?"

She was screaming now, her face contorted with rage. "You're never here! Why shouldn't your wife give him an heir?"

"If I could still have kids, I'd do it myself! You're ungrateful and selfish. I worked so hard to raise you, and this is the thanks I get?"

She looked like a complete lunatic. She ran over and started hitting me with her fists.

Jude stepped in, playing the peacemaker.

"Martha, honey, calm down. You're not well. Caleb just got back; he needs time to adjust."

He then turned to me with a smug, saintly smile. "You must be tired. Sit down. By the way, we're taking the baby to the family estate next month to put him in the registry. You have to come."

I did the math. Next month was exactly when my friend's company was going public.

"Fine," I said, nodding.

I started planning my next move. I was going to turn their little drama into a full-blown tragedy.

I moved my bags into my room and went to take a shower.

Outside the door, the three of them acted as if nothing had happened, laughing and playing with the baby.

"The little guy is hungry. I'm going to the bedroom to feed him," Roxy announced.

"Just do it here," Jude replied. "It's not like I haven't seen everything already."

I heard Roxy give a playful, suggestive giggle. "Oh, you're terrible."

It was clear that this wasn't just about providing an heir. They were having a full-blown affair right under my mother's nose.

The warm water hit my face, but I felt cold to the bone.

Later that night, Roxy came into my room and cried for an hour.

"I'm an orphan, Caleb. Your mom treats me better than her own blood. I couldn't let her down."

She grabbed my hand, her voice shaking. "She loves Jude so much. She wanted him to have a legacy. How could I say no?"

"You're always at sea. It's hard for two women alone. This baby keeps Jude here to take care of us so you can work without worrying."

She even had the nerve to try a final selling point. "Jude agreed the baby can take your last name. He'll call you Daddy. Just accept him for all the sacrifices Jude has made."

I blew out a slow puff of smoke. Her face was a blur through the grey haze.

But for the first time, I saw her clearly for what she was.

"I remember you used to hate being touched by people you didn't like," I said quietly.

"So... you've actually fallen for Jude, haven't you?"

She buried her face in her hands and sobbed harder. Her silence was all the answer I needed.

The two women I was closest to were both in love with the same man. I was the ghost in my own home.

Suddenly, the door swung open. My mother dragged me out toward the living room.

"Roxy's done with her postpartum recovery. Jude is sleeping with her tonight."

I stared at her, my jaw dropping. "Are you serious right now?"

"Dead serious. Jude is younger than me. He has needs. If I hadn't had my hysterectomy, I'd handle it myself."

She shrugged as if she were talking about the weather. "It's not the first time. They can look after the baby together so I don't have to get up in the middle of the night."

These people were repulsive.

I didn't argue. I grabbed my pillow and went to the couch.

In a month, none of this would matter anymore.

As I closed my eyes, I heard the unmistakable sounds of moaning coming from the bedroom.

Then, the sharp cry of the baby pierced the air.

I thought back to our wedding day. Roxy had looked into my eyes and promised to love me forever.

I guess every promise eventually turns into a lie.

The next morning, I packed my things and moved in with my friend, Luke Finch.

He spent the whole morning bragging about his company's IPO, the projected stocks, and the massive payouts. I couldn't focus on a word.

I decided to go for a drive to clear my head.

I found myself drifting toward the hotel where I had held my wedding reception years ago.

Across the street, the same old hot dog stand was still there.

Everything in this neighborhood was the same, yet my life had turned upside down.

I bought a snack and sat on the curb to eat.

"Well, look who it is. Caleb, what are you doing squatting there like a bum?"

I looked up. Jude was walking toward me, holding the baby. My mother and Roxy were right behind him, dressed in expensive clothes.

I stood up and leaned against my car, watching them coldly.

"Caleb, are you so broke you can't afford a real meal?" Roxy asked, feigning concern.

My mother chimed in. "If you're unemployed, you need to do something. Jude's friend is looking for a mall security guard. Why don't you try out?"

I let out a sharp laugh. "I don't need your charity. Mind your own business."

I reached for my car door, and Roxy gasped.

"Wait, is this your car?"

Before I could answer, my mother scoffed. "Him? He couldn't afford a hubcap on a car like this. He probably can't even afford a bike."

She actually reached out and pulled me away from the vehicle.

"Don't touch other people's property. You can't afford to pay for a scratch."

She glared at me. "Jude is trying to help you find work, and you're being a brat!"

Jude stepped in again with that fake kindness.

"Hey, we're family. Let's not fight. Caleb, we're heading into this restaurant for lunch. Why don't you join us?"

Martha snorted. "Look at the rags he's wearing. The waiter would throw him out. He's just like his pathetic fatherDno class."

Roxy whispered, "She's right. How about I order a burger and bring it out to you?"

I smiled and waved them off. "No thanks. I feel like I'm about to throw up. Enjoy yourselves."

I watched them walk into the restaurant like they owned the place. Then, I got in my car and drove away.

The car was mine. I had saved for years to buy it as a surprise for my family.

Now, they didn't deserve to even sit in it.

A month passed.

My mother called me home to discuss the trip to the family estate to register the baby.

As I walked toward the building, I spotted Jude whispering to a man in a dark alleyway.

I crept closer to listen.

"I'm short on cash, man. Give me fifty grand and I'll disappear for good," the stranger said.

Jude hissed back, "I paid you what we agreed years ago! You're extorting me!"

"Bullsh*t! If I hadn't run fast enough after that fake mugging, the cops would have nailed me. You owe me!"

My heart stopped. The truth was worse than I thought.

I ran upstairs immediately.

"Mom, that guy who robbed you years agoDwhat did he look like?"

"Why are you asking about that now?" she snapped.

I told them exactly what I had heard downstairs.

"I think the whole mugging was a setup. Jude played you both!"

Just then, Jude walked through the door.

He looked at my mother with a wounded expression and sat beside her.

"Martha, I know Caleb hates me, but these lies... I can't take it anymore."

My mother held his hand tenderly.

Then she turned to me with fire in her eyes. "How did you become so twisted? Making up stories to ruin a good man!"

"Fine. If I'm lying, Jude, tell me who that man was downstairs asking for fifty thousand dollars?"

Jude sighed and lowered his head. "That was an old friend. He wanted me to invest in his business. I wanted to make some extra money for you and Roxy. I never thought you'd use it against me, Caleb."

My mother glared at me and then spoke softly to Jude. "I believe you. I'll give you the money later today."

You truly can't save someone who wants to be fooled.

I spat out my last words. "Fine. You're a perfect little family."

"You wanted me to go to the estate for the registry tomorrow? Fine. I'll be there."

I slammed the door and left.

My mother had invited all the extended family elders. When we arrived at the family chapel, everyone was already there.

My young cousin pulled me aside.

"Caleb, weren't you gone for over a year? How do you have a son already?"

His father clipped him over the ear and dragged him away.

"Shut up! It's none of your business!"

People were whispering. They had done the math too, but no one wanted to speak up.

I walked to the center of the chapel with a cold smile.

My mother stood up first. "I'm honored you all could make it."

"Caleb's father passed early, leaving him as my only son. Now that he has a son of his own, the Vance legacy is secure."

A kind old elder smiled at me. "We haven't seen you in years, Caleb. Why don't you say a few words?"

My mother reluctantly pushed me forward, pinching my arm as a warning.

I bowed to the elders and spoke calmly. "Thank you for taking care of me all these years."

"I know our family tradition is strict. Only sons can be on the registry and inherit the family land and trust."

I looked around the room. "So, I have to ask. Can someone who isn't a Vance still get those benefits?"

the family patriarch slammed his hand on the table. "Of course not! No outsider enters the registry!"

I nodded and smiled. "Then we have a problem. This baby isn't a Vance. He's a Walker. Jude Walker's son, to be exact."

"Actually, if we go by my mother's marriage, he's technically my brother. But my wife gave birth to him."

"It's a bit of a mess. Maybe you elders can help me figure out the family tree?"