Chapter 161: Biological Father
"Does it really have to cost this much?" Fiona asked the female attorney.
"If you're making less than thirty grand a year, that means you don't earn enough to support them," the lawyer replied bluntly.
"I have some savings, and I own two properties," Fiona quickly added.
"Those are definitely helpful, but they're not considered steady income. Raising kids isn't a one-time purchase. It's a long-term commitment."
"I know it's bad. I really want to help them," Fiona said anxiously.
"At this point, the best-case scenario is that while you're fighting for custody against your parents, your siblings will be placed into foster care—until you win the case and gain full guardianship." The lawyer's voice was calm but firm.
Sending her siblings to foster care was absolutely unacceptable to Fiona.
Getting nowhere with the attorney, Fiona and Veronica left the law firm feeling dejected.
While Fiona's legal battle hit a wall, Monica and Roberta were still waiting on the DNA test results.
During those few days of waiting, Monica visited the kids constantly. Though they remained cold toward her, Monica's persistence slowly chipped away at their resistance.
"Ian, I baked some cookies for you," Monica said as she cornered Ian.
"You think baking cookies makes up for abandoning us?" Ian shot her a glance filled with contempt.
"I heard about what you've been going through... about you coming out. You don't need to feel ashamed or insecure about being your true self," Monica said gently.
"I don't," Ian replied sharply, frowning and brushing past her.
"When I was with Roberta, I was proud. We never felt shame about who we were," Monica said, catching up to him.
"Maybe you should've," Ian said, stopping in his tracks.
"How about we go out? Just a little mother-son time. Let me take you somewhere fun," Monica offered.
"We'll see. I've got work." Ian's tone softened ever so slightly.
Perhaps because they shared that part of their identity, Ian began to ease up on Monica just a little.
"Great! I'll wait for you after your shift!" Monica said, visibly excited.
Monica had finally made a small breakthrough with Ian. That evening, when Ian got off work and saw Monica still waiting outside, his first reaction was a frown—followed by a sigh.
"Let's go! I know a place you'll love," Monica said, full of enthusiasm.
Ian didn't have the heart to reject her. He told himself, Just this once.
Monica took Ian to a vibrant nightclub. The place was packed—buzzing with people, lights, and loud, thumping music.
"Roberta and I used to come here all the time. Everyone here is cool—gay, lesbian, bi, straight—no one judges. Everyone's just free to be themselves," Monica said.
"Coming to a place like this... with you? Feels... weird," Ian admitted, scratching the back of his head shyly.
Ian had been to bars before—he used to search for Frank in places like that. But Kevin's bar was nothing like this. Kevin's was a typical pub. This one was more like a full-blown nightclub: flashing lights, booming music, packed dance floor. To have a conversation, you practically had to shout in each other's ears.
"Don't be shy, baby. Look around. These are our people," Monica said.
"Am I even old enough to be in here?" Ian asked doubtfully.
"Don't sweat the small stuff. A cutie like you? You'll be a star in here. Honestly, you won't even have to pay for drinks—hell, you might even make some money."
"You're into older guys, right? Like your boss? Plenty of those here. Just a wink and they're yours," Monica teased.
"Actually..." Ian hesitated.
"Look over there—he's totally checking you out. Okay, maybe he's too old, like Frank-old. Nine o'clock—see that guy in the suit? Total stud. Bet he's got abs under that shirt." Monica was in her own world, scanning the crowd and whispering commentary.
As Monica dragged Ian around the club, trying to lift his spirits, Ian gradually started to relax. The tension in his body eased, and he began to enjoy himself.
"Wanna dance?" Monica asked, reaching for his hand.
"Sure." Ian sighed, but a smile curled on his lips.
They spent the entire night having fun. Though Ian didn't want to admit it, he did enjoy himself. His attitude toward Monica had noticeably softened—it wasn't the cold hostility from before. After all, he was still just a teenager.
After Ian, Monica managed to win over Debbie and Carl too.
They were younger, and when Monica had left, they were still too little to fully understand what had happened. Their longing for a mother made them more willing to forgive.
A few days later, Roberta and Monica received a notification—the DNA test results were ready.
"Mrs. Gallagher?" a staff member called out.
"Right here, thank you!" Roberta eagerly ran to the counter and grabbed the envelope containing the results.
"Alright, baby, let's see what we've got." She tore it open, but her face froze as her eyes scanned the page.
"What is it?" Monica asked.
"Liam is Frank's son!" Roberta said, stunned.
"What? Are you sure you read it right?" Monica looked just as shocked.
"The report clearly says Frank is the biological father. His actual dad! What the hell—Frank's white! Liam is clearly Black!" Roberta was in disbelief.
"I don't get it either. I always thought I got pregnant after that crazy night at the Zebra Bar... with that muscular Black bouncer, after we got high. I woke up naked." Monica looked overwhelmed.
"But they're not even the same skin color! How can he be Frank's son? Could the lab have made a mistake?" Monica asked.
The two of them rushed to find the doctor responsible for the test, demanding an explanation.
To their surprise, the doctor wasn't fazed. He calmly explained the phenomenon.
It was something called genetic atavism—a throwback trait. Hidden in Frank's DNA was African ancestry. It hadn't shown up in his other children, but in Liam, that part of his DNA had unexpectedly surfaced.
In other words, somewhere down Frank's family line, there had been a Black ancestor. That DNA had been passed down silently—until Liam.
Frank was, without a doubt, Liam's biological father.
(End of Chapter)
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