Our reader David wrote us an emotional letter full of anguish and sadness. His life was flipped upside down in an instant when he discovered something about his 18-year-old son, prompting him to even remove him from his will.
David shared his story with us.
David began his letter with the words, “Hello.” I never expected to find myself in this predicament, doubting all I thought I knew about my family. My wife, Linda, and I have been married for nearly two decades, and our son, Jake, has always been the light of our life. With him recently turning 18, we were thrilled to see him embrace adulthood, full of promise and possibility.
Linda and I have always had a great bond. Despite numerous problems over the years, we have always faced them together. So, when Linda approached me lately with a solemn expression, I was unprepared for what she was about to say. She informed me she needed to address something significant, which she had been holding to herself herself for a long time.”
His wife made an unexpected revelation.
David said, “Linda admitted that Jake is not biologically my. She admitted to having an ᴀғғᴀɪʀ with her ex before we got married, and she didn’t find out she was pregnant until after we were married. She was overwhelmed at the moment and chose to keep it a secret in the hopes that it would never be discovered.
Linda informed me she never saw her ex again after that. I was devastated and wondered, ‘Why are you telling me this now?’ She explained that she had no intention of telling me, but something had happened that drove her to do so.
She stated that his biological father had ᴅɪᴇᴅ. Linda received a letter from her ex’s lawyer many weeks ago. The letter explained that her ex had lately learnt about Jake and, prior to his ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜ, had prepared a substantial legacy for both Linda and Jake. The lawyer stated that her ex wanted to make sure Jake was taken care of, despite never having been a part of his life.
David was hurt and confused at the same time.
David stated, “When Linda shared this with me, it felt like the ground had been pulled out from under me.” I was sh0cked and couldn’t believe what I was hearing. For 18 years, I had been sure that Jake was my son in all ways. I’ve been there for all of his milestones, including his first steps, first day of school, and teaching him to drive. And now that I’ve discovered he’s not biologically mine, I’m devastated.
Linda stated that she could no longer keep this secret, especially since the inheritance was now on the table. She wanted us to face the facts together and plan our future moves. I was overcome with rage, hurt, and confusion. Part of me wanted to walk away, shut down, and leave everything behind. Yet another part of me realized Jake was still the same son I had loved and cherished for 18 years.”
David decided to remove Jake out of his will.
David went on, “In the days that followed, I found myself questioning everything.” Linda, how could you have withheld this from me? How does this affect my relationship with Jake? I know he’s not my biological kid, but in every other sense, he’s my son. The ʙᴇᴛʀᴀʏᴀʟ I felt, however, was real and difficult to ignore. I made the difficult choice to remove Jake from my will, believing that with the new fortune from his biological father, he would be financially secure.
Even as I made this decision, I realized it wasn’t all about money. It was about the broken trust and the questioning of the life I thought I knew. Linda says that she did what she felt was best at the time and sincerely regrets her actions. But now I’m left wondering if I’ll ever be able to move on from this and repair the trust that has been so seriously shattered.”
David now suffers mixed feelings towards his son.
David concluded, “Jake still doesn’t know the whole story, and I’m split about telling him. I don’t want to overwhelm him with this at a time when he’s just starting out in life. But I also believe that he deserves to know the truth, even if it is difficult.
I am at a lost as to how to proceed from here. Did I make the correct decision, or am I allowing my emotions cloud my judgment? “What should I do?
Here’s what our readers suggested.
No issues tell your son the truth, tell him that as far as you have always been concerned is that he is yours, you would protect him with your life if necessary. Your love for him will never waver. And let him take the money, win-win. © SarahTim Rootes / Facebook
He is your son. U raised him. U love him and he u. It’s not his fault what his mother did. Why destroy your relationship with him. Let this go, and see a councillor re the betrayal. Put him back in the will. It’s not his fault. This is sad for u. Don’t let it destroy a great relationship with your son. © Lesley Bowden / Facebook
You raise as your own you both love each father and son, why disown him he can’t help what his mother done or do the father son don’t have good relationships with each other. © Kde FLAMINGH / Facebook
And this is why paternity test at birth should just be the norm. If you know without the shadow of the doubt your man is the father, you should have no problem with a standard test. Too many women will say if he doesn’t trust me we shouldn’t be together, but are the same women going through his phone. Nope test should be the norm. © Christina R. Sanchez-Jiménez / Facebook
Leave the wife, and keep the son. He is your child, you raised him. © Ferenc Végh / Facebook
