THE LIES THAT BUILT MY FAMILY

4

Chapter four 

Philip stared at Elena for a few seconds after she laughed. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. After everything he had discovered, after spending hours going from one hospital to another just to confirm the paternity results, Elena still believed he was joking about getting a divorce.

 “I am not joking,” Philip said calmly.

 Elena's smile slowly disappeared. “What?”

 “I said I am not joking.”

 His voice was different this time. There was no anger in it and no drunkenness either. He was completely serious.

 Elena studied his face carefully. She had known Philip for many years, and she knew when he was angry. But this was different. There was something in his eyes that made her realize he wasn't going to back down.

 She immediately lowered her voice. “Philip, let's not do this here.”

 “Why?”

 “People are looking at us.”

 “I don't care.”

 “Philip.”

 “I said I don't care.”

 Elena took a deep breath and tried to remain calm. She knew shouting at him would only make things worse. She needed to choose her words carefully because Philip was already angry, and the last thing she wanted was for him to lose control.

 “Okay,” she said softly. “Let's talk about this.”

 Philip leaned back in his chair. “Talk.”

 Elena stared at him. “If you loved me so much, why did you even run the paternity test?”

 Philip's eyes narrowed. “What kind of question is that?”

 “It's a simple question.”

 “No, it isn't.”

 “Yes, it is,” Elena replied. “You said you loved me. You said I was the woman you wanted to spend the rest of your life with. So why did you suddenly decide to test the children?”

 Philip laughed bitterly. “Suddenly?”

 “Yes.”

 “I didn't suddenly decide anything.”

 “Then what happened?”

 Philip looked away for a moment before turning his eyes back to her.

 “I had reasons.”

 Elena sighed. “Philip, do you remember where you were before you met me?”

 He didn't answer.

 “You were struggling,” she continued. “You couldn't even afford your tuition fees. I was the one who paid them for you. I was the one who made sure you finished your studies.”

 “I know.”

 “I helped you build your career and I stood by you when you had nothing.”

 Philip's jaw tightened. “I know everything you did for me, Elena.”

 “Then why are you treating me like an enemy?”

 “Because I didn't believe you could do this to me. I didn't believe you would take me for a fool." Philip continued, “I know you helped me with my education. I know you gave me opportunities I couldn't have given myself. I will never deny that. But does that mean I should spend the rest of my life pretending I didn't see what you did?”

 “What did I do?” Elena asked. "I can't believe you are doing this to me." 

 The air felt tensed with both of them staring at each other. 

 “Then what do you want?” Elena finally asked. 

 “I want you to take another paternity test.”

 Elena slowly raised her head. “What?”

 “You heard me.” Philip leaned forward. “Take a paternity test.”

 She stared at him. “And what does that prove?" 

 Elena scoffed. “You're asking me to prove something I have nothing to do with.”

 “Then do it.”

 “Philip, this is ridiculous.”

 “Why?”

 “Because I have nothing to prove to you.”

 Philip looked at her carefully. “That is exactly what someone who has something to hide would say.”

 Elena's face hardened. “Don't insult me.”

 “Then prove me wrong.”

 She didn't respond.

 Philip leaned back. “I did everything you asked of me. I stayed with you after Alex. I protected you. I raised those children. I defended you whenever people said anything about you.”

 His voice cracked.

 “All I am asking for now is the truth.”

 Elena looked around the restaurant. People were still looking at them.

 She picked up her handbag. “Come home with me.”

 “No.”

 “Philip.” she called. 

 “No.”

 “We can't discuss this here.”

 “Why not?”

 “Because people are watching.”

 “They can watch.”

 “Please.”

 Philip shook his head. “I'm not going anywhere with you.”

 Elena frowned. “Why?”

 “Because that is your home.” he said back at her..

 She stared at him. “What are you talking about?”

 Philip looked directly into her eyes. “It was never my home to begin with.”

 Elena's face changed. “What?”

 “You heard me.” He stood up. “I spent nineteen years in that house, but after everything I have discovered, I finally understand something.”

 He picked up his jacket. “That place belongs to you.”

 “Philip, stop being dramatic.”

 “No.”

 Elena's patience finally disappeared. “If you don't come with me right now, then forget you ever had a home.”

 Philip stared at her. For a moment, neither of them spoke.

 Then Philip nodded slowly. “Fine.”

 Elena's face softened slightly. “Fine?”

 “Yes.” He picked up his phone. “I will find somewhere else to stay.”

 He walked away without looking back.

 Elena remained standing beside the table, watching him leave.

 She had expected him to return, she had expected him to calm down. She had expected him to apologize but Philip didn't turn around.

 For the first time, Elena wasn't sure if she still had control over him.

 Philip drove around for hours before finally stopping at a small motel.

 He parked his car and sat inside for a few minutes.

 He didn't know what he was doing.

 His entire life had suddenly changed and he had no idea where he would sleep tomorrow.

 He had no idea what would happen to his marriage.

 He didn't even know how he was going to face Ethan, Daniel, and Ryan after everything.

 He finally stepped out of the car and walked inside.

 “Do you have a room available?” he asked the receptionist.

 “Yes, sir.”

 Philip paid for the room and took the key. He walked toward the hallway, but before he could reach his room, he heard a familiar voice.

 “Philip?”

 He stopped and slowly, he turned around.

 His eyes widened. “Mark?”

 The man standing in front of him smiled.

 “Philip! What are you doing here?”

 Philip stared at him in shock. He knew Mark from many years ago.

 They had once been close friends, but their lives had taken different paths.

 Mark was the kind of man who was always surrounded by women. He had a reputation for moving from one woman to another without caring about relationships.

 Philip had never understood him.

 “You're staying here?” Mark asked.

 “Yes.”

 Mark looked at him from head to toe. “You look terrible.”

 “It's been a bad day.”

 Mark laughed. “Come on. You know me. A bad day can always be fixed.”

 Philip frowned. “What are you talking about?”

 Mark smiled and pointed toward the room behind him.

 Philip looked past him and noticed a woman's handbag sitting on a chair.

 Then he heard a woman's voice from inside.

 “Philip, are you coming?”

 Philip's eyes widened and looked at his friend. “Seriously?”

 Mark laughed. “What?”

 “You haven't changed.”

 “Why should I?”

 Philip shook his head. He couldn't believe it.

 His marriage was falling apart, he had just rejected Elena Hawkins, and now he had bumped into his old friend at a motel where Mark was clearly spending the night with another woman.

 Philip slowly walked toward his room.

 As he opened the door, one thought kept running through his mind.

 What was his life going to look like now that he had finally said no to Elena Hawkins?