“John, Tim looks like my side of the family,” she explained, her voice steady. “My father, especially. It’s not unusual for a child to resemble their grandparents.”

But John seemed unconvinced, his expression unyielding. “I just need to know for sure, Sarah. It’s not about not loving Tim. I do. But I need to know if he’s mine.”

The kitchen felt colder now, the warmth of their home suddenly sapped away by doubt. Sarah wondered if their marriage was as solid as she had believed. They hadn’t faced many trials; life had been relatively smooth. But now, this unexpected rift made her question their entire relationship.