Chapter 17

My neighbour Edna enthusiastically stopped me just before I closed my gate and shook her head extensively so I know she is in a high gossip mode. "Wow, Deborah. Now I know whom your daughter takes after. I have been wondering because she looks nothing like you. I was like… did this girl steal this child from someone else? I mean, it was possible considering how secretive you are, and I have been discussing this with my husband... and a few others in the neighbourhood. It has been a gigantic puzzle that we could not solve. But that was until I saw the handsome young man, and it clicked. Wow! She looks exactly like him, and I could tell from the second I set my eyes on him."

"What are you on about, Mrs Elliot?"

"He is her father, is he not? She is the photocopy of him if you ask me."

Well, no one asked you, Mrs. trout mouth.

"What makes you think that?"

"They have the same complexion, eyes, nose, slips, etc. My God. It is as if someone told her he would deny her if she does not come out looking exactly like him. What an uncanny resemblance."

"I do not think they look alike at all."

"Deborah. Are you blind?"

No, but clearly, you are.

"Take care, ma'am. I gotta get some rest."

"Wow. It feels great to have answers to my questions. But I still want to know why you two are not married yet."

"What?"

"I mean, he is handsome, and you are a gorgeous girl. Your child is adorable, and you two seem so in love. It makes me wonder why there is no ring on your finger yet. You two fit perfectly, and I cannot wait to see you make another little one. Probably a boy this time around, and he would look like you… hahaha… Look at me planning your wedding already. My sister owns a wedding boutique. I would be glad to introduce you to her and did I tell you I own a wedding cake business? My brother-in-law… The gay one is a wedding planner, and you know how fabulous those are. I think I got you covered if you don't have any family to stand by you. I can only guess you are an orphan since I hardly see anyone here."

"I will let you know if there ever is a wedding, Edna. Good day."

"And good luck on getting the ring, son. My gut tells me it will be any moment now. The sparkles in his eyes are off a man who is about to propose."

"Good day, ma'am."

She was all smiles that I could not bring myself to correct her, so I just nodded and came home. But after another careful glance at my daughter, I can not help but wonder about what she said.

I grabbed the mirror and looked at myself for minutes. It gradually dawned that she looks nothing like me. The only thing we have in common is... nothing.

But does she look like him?

I opened Samuel's photo on my phone and stared at him and my daughter for minutes.

She is porcelain in complexion with grey eyes, and he is the same complexion with steel-grey eyes. I am the complete opposite, with a luminous chocolate skin tone and brown eyes. I can see why Edna would think they look alike. She does share staggering physical features with Samuel. It gets more mind baffling the longer I pay attention to the details. They have an identical distribution of freckles, deep dimples, and pointed nose, and they share the same hair colour and texture. Do not get me started on the intricate details in their eyes that match, especially the little burst of blue when they look up.

What sorcery is this? How did I not notice this right away?

If I am not so sure of myself, I would think he is her biological father.

Funny, right? Impossible, right? Why would my daughter look so much like this person I just met?

I am pretty sure about who the father is. They say only a mother knows the true father of her child. So yeah, I am not mistaken at all. But then again, why the hell do they look so much alike?

Perhaps, I am overthinking this. It is just a coincidence. I do not know Samuel. We have never met before, and he has never been inside me.

He is not the father of my child.