For 30 years, a devoted father named Needadvicedesperate lived what seemed like a perfect life with his high school sweetheart and their five children. He never had any doubts about his paternity—until one shocking day. His eldest daughter handed him the results of an ancestry test, revealing that he wasn’t her biological father.
The revelation hit him like a ton of bricks. His once-perfect world was now in ruins. He had always trusted his wife completely, so this discovery was a gut-wrenching blow. Despite his own shock and hurt, he tried to be strong for his daughter, saying, “I love you no matter what these results say.”
Not fully convinced that the ancestry test was accurate, the father and his daughter decided to take a formal paternity test. The results confirmed his worst fears: he was not her biological father. The news left him reeling, and he admitted:
“Finding out about my wife’s infidelity and seeing how my reaction upset my daughter was overwhelming. I really wish I had been stronger for her sake, but I wasn’t.”
Struggling with his emotions, he decided to test his other children too, except for his youngest daughter, who was just 14. He didn’t want to burden her with the truth just yet. He needed to find out how far his wife’s infidelity had gone. He told his older kids:
“We had to tell the other three what was going on. I reassured them of my unconditional love and explained that I needed to know the full extent of the infidelity.”
The three older children, who had always believed he was their biological father, chose to take the tests to support him. The results were heart-wrenching: none of the three were biologically his, and each had a different father. This revelation shattered him even more.
Realizing that hiding the truth from his youngest daughter would only cause her more pain in the long run, he understood that his wife’s affairs had been extensive. The emotional impact was huge. When he confronted his wife, he hoped she would admit her mistakes and ask for forgiveness.
However, when he showed her the test results, she dismissed them, claiming they might be faulty. She even tried to guilt-trip him, asking, “Do you seriously not trust me after all these years?” Despite her denial, the father remained resolute.
He was torn between how to reassure his children and manage his own emotional distress. He was especially concerned about how to protect his youngest daughter from heartbreak. Seeking guidance, he turned to Reddit for advice on how to handle the situation.
One Redditor, understanding the gravity of the situation, advised him: “She had multiple affairs and children with different men and won’t even own up to it when caught. But don’t just walk away. There’s a lot we don’t know about your situation. This is your life.”
The father shared his worries about his youngest daughter’s well-being and sought further advice, focusing on her emotional health.
Another Reddit user, pancakeday, urged him to be honest with his youngest daughter, saying, “Keeping the truth from her will only cause more harm later. You’re letting your wife control the narrative. You need to protect your kids from her, not from the truth.”
Some Redditors suggested that he should reassure his children of his love and take time to decide his next steps. Redditor Hanh2 reminded him: “Age shouldn’t dictate your choices. Don’t stay in an unhappy marriage just because it’s been a long time.”
After considering all the advice, the father realized he had built his life around his wife and their family. He decided to get second tests done to ensure accuracy and to eventually tell his youngest daughter the truth, though he wouldn’t force a paternity test on her. He also resolved to file for divorce if his wife’s behavior didn’t change.
In the end, he understood that his relationship with his children was what mattered most, regardless of biological ties. He knew he needed to focus on their well-being and make the best decisions for their future.
