Wrong Injection

Chapter 66

I strolled out of my room, stretching my arms over my head after a lazy morning. It was Saturday, and I hadn't checked on Liam all day, but I assumed he was probably in the living room playing with Mom. A glance at the clock on my wall confirmed it was exactly 1 pm. I let out a yawn, feeling a bit sleepy, before heading into the washroom to take care of some business. After peeing, I walked out and made my way to the living room to check on Liam and Mom. But as I entered the room, I realized they weren't there. I frowned slightly, feeling a pang of concern. I quickly scanned the kitchen, but they weren't there either. My worry grew, and I reached for my phone to dial Mom's number. However, my call didn't go through. I tried again, but still, there was no answer. My mind began to wander, wondering where they could be.

"Where could she have gone to?" I muttered to myself, pacing back to the living room. Just then, the front door swung open, and Mom walked in with Liam perched on her hip.

"Hey Sultan," she greeted with a smile. My eyes narrowed slightly.

Where have you been?" I asked.

"Hospital," she replied nonchalantly, and I quickly took Liam from her, my anxiety spiking.

"What?" I asked, my voice tinged with panic. "What's wrong with my boy? Is he okay?" I examined Liam from head to toe, searching for any signs of distress. Mom's calm demeanor was starting to unnerve me.

"Nothing's wrong with Liam, he's perfectly fine," she assured me, rummaging through her purse. But I wasn't convinced.

"Then why were you at the hospital?" I pressed, feeling a mix of confusion and concern. But Her response left me stunned:

"I ran a DNA test." My jaw dropped, and I stared at her, incredulous.

"What?!" I exclaimed, my mind racing with questions.

"Yes, I did. I have the result right here, and it says Liam is not your son," Mom said, her voice steady. I let out a deep breath, shrugged, and chuckled.

"I already know that Mom." Her head tilted slightly to the side, a mixture of surprise and curiosity on her face.

"Oh, really? And you never bothered to tell me about it?" I winced slightly, feeling a twinge of guilt.

"I'm sorry," I apologized.

Mom's expression turned stern. "You've got some explaining to do, boy," she said, her voice firm but controlled.

"I ran a DNA test on him when he was three months old. I noticed he doesn't look like me or Veronica, so I did the test. And I found out that Liam isn't my son. But it's okay – I've grown to love him like my own." Mom nodded repeatedly, her eyes studying me intently. The silence that followed was palpable, the only sound being Liam's happy babbling in the background. Mom's eyes never left mine, as if searching for something more beneath the surface.
~~~
I am currently sitting in a coffee shop waiting for a business partner to come so we could discuss about our new project. Then all of a sudden, a weird feeling overcome me and I look up and catch the eye of a very pretty baby. Her mouth is wide open, exposing her little two front teeth. I can't help myself but laugh at her.

Her curly black hair is up in two tight ponytail as she bounces happily in the arms of a lady who holds her.  I wave at her from where I am sitting, then she immediately pulls a blanket that is draped over the lady's shoulder to cover her face. Then she pulls it down again, and pulls it up to cover her face again.

The lady who wait in the ice cream line for her turn to order an ice cream, turns her head slightly to kiss the little girl's cheek. But once she realize her little girl is playing a little game of peek-a- boo with someone, she curiously turn her head towards the direction her baby girl is looking, only to see me sitting here. I instantly freeze when I see the face of the lady, I blink a few times as I stare back her, she is just as beautiful as I last saw her.

"Hello Mr West, I am so sorry for my lateness, I was stuck in a terrible traffic jam." My business partner comes explaining himself. I slowly avert my eyes, clearing my throat and also internally cursing my business partner for coming at the wrong time.

"Dammit," I mutters as I rub my face.

"Excuse me are you here with me Mr West?" he asks and I look up at him.

"Uh yes yes of course Mr Newman, it is great you are here," I lie.

"Alright then, here are some documents for the new plan." He says gathering the documents, but me on the other hand cannot stop staring at the lady and her child. "Mr West are you sure you are here with me?" Mr Newman asks again and I look at him.

"Of course I am."

"No I don't think you are, look if you ain't ready for the discussion today it's fine by me, let's make it another day."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course," he says and I nod, smiling.

"Thank you so much," I say and we shake hands.