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A happy little baby playing with dollar bills | Source: Shutterstock
A happy little baby playing with dollar bills | Source: Shutterstock

Man Denies Paternity, Changes His Mind after Kid Gets Huge Unexpected Inheritance – Story of the Day

Rita Kumar
Jul 04, 2023
12:40 P.M.

"A Million Dollar Baby!" Jeremy, who initially denied paternity, changes his mind after discovering his child's vast inheritance. He is desperate to pay off his debts, unaware his ex-girlfriend has devised a plan to deceive him. Things get complicated for him when she is rushed to the hospital.

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"Hi, Andrea! It's uh... nice to see you. How have you been?" 27-year-old Jeremy stood at his ex-girlfriend Andrea's doorstep. She had invited him over for dinner, promising an important conversation. So Jeremy was thrilled.

"Hey, Jeremy! Thanks for coming," Andrea replied with a warm smile. "There's something important I need to tell you. Come on in!"

Jeremy walked in with a heart full of anticipation and a smile that could light up the night sky. But then, the unthinkable happened.

"Meet your baby, Ollie!" Andrea revealed, pointing to a toddler sitting in a child seat in the kitchen. Jeremy, who had no idea he was the father of a 2-year-old baby, was overwhelmed by the shocking revelation...

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

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It hit Jeremy like a thunderbolt. Panic surged into his veins, and his breath caught up in his throat. "MY BABY? Wha—What do you mean?" he stuttered. "How is this possible? You're lying... No. This can't be happening."

"It's true, Jeremy. Ollie is our baby," Andrea said. "I found out I was pregnant just two weeks after we broke up two and a half years ago. I wanted to break the news to you. But I was afraid of your reaction. That was until I recently decided to tell you the truth. And that's why I reached out to you and invited you over for dinner."

However, Jeremy's mind refused to accept what he heard. Fear gripped him, and his heart raced as he struggled to process everything. This was not the kind of surprise he had expected. Deep inside, he even hoped this was all just an elaborate prank. Yet, Andrea's words kept ringing in his head, confirming his worst fears.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

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"Look, Andrea…I can't do this, alright? I never knew about this baby. And I'm not ready to…you know, raise this child and…" Jeremy said as Andrea interrupted, giving him the cold shoulder.

"Think again, Jeremy," she said. "I can still claim your paternity for our child through court. In that case, you'll be obliged to pay child support. Do you want to drag things to court when we can settle the matter cordially?"

Already burdened with a huge debt and an overly demanding job, Jeremy was not ready to embrace the responsibilities of raising a child. So he stood his ground, determined not to accept the paternity of Ollie.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

"Andrea, see, the thing is, I don't think I can co-parent this baby, alright?" Jeremy argued. "I don't even want to talk about it. I have a lot of debt…and a bunch of things to do. This child will only hinder all my plans. Please, I'm out of this! For God's sake...don't try to convince me. I want to leave."

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"Wait a minute...I need to get Ollie's pacifier from the room...he's started to cry...Be right back!" Andrea said. She turned around and retired to another room, leaving Jeremy dazed.

Baby Ollie's loud whimpers annoyed an already frustrated Jeremy, who could not stand it anymore. He slumped onto the couch, waiting for Andrea to return. Meanwhile, back in her room, Andrea took her phone and texted her friend, Xavier.

"He is here. I told him everything. But he is denying paternity. It's time to take action now. Do it."

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

Jeremy was sitting on the couch, tapping his legs nervously, lost in deep thought. The room was engulfed in grave silence when the home answering machine, which was already on speaker, started playing a message loudly, jolting Jeremy out of his thoughts.

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"Miss Hilton, this is David, your lawyer," spoke an unfamiliar voice. It was actually Xavier. And he was not who he claimed he was.

"I have some good news! I verified all the documents…your son Ollie has indeed inherited three million dollars from his late grandparents. The money is divided into several tranches. I hereby inform you that Ollie will be eligible to get his first payout, a sum of $200,000, when he turns three. Have a good day, Miss Hilton!"

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pixabay

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pixabay

"WHAT?!" Jeremy was stunned. "Ollie is…A Million Dollar Baby! Oh my freaking God!" A strange desire gushed into Jeremy's mind. He wanted Ollie's three million…all of it.

With a prompt gesture, Jeremy leaned forward and pressed the 'Delete' button on the answering machine so that Andrea would never find out that he heard the lawyer's message.

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As Jeremy sighed a deep breath and sat back on the couch, staring at baby Ollie, a cunning idea bloomed in his head. He immediately rose from the couch and left Andrea's house without a word.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Getty Images

For illustration purposes only | Source: Getty Images

The following morning, Jeremy arrived back at Andrea's doorstep, holding a bouquet of fragrant red roses. Taking a deep breath and wearing a pristine smile, he rang the doorbell.

Moments later, the door creaked open, and Andrea was shell-shocked. Before she could tell anything, Jeremy offered the bouquet and smiled as he began to speak.

"I want to apologize…sincerely apologize…for how I reacted yesterday, darling," he said. "It was wrong of me to distance myself from the truth…and let fear cloud my judgment. I…I was shocked when you told me about the baby. But now, I think it's better to face the reality…and you know...."

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Andrea was surprised. She took the flowers and looked up at Jeremy. "Well…so…what have you decided?"

"I spent the whole night thinking," Jeremy continued with a smile. "And it hit me! I don't want to miss out on being a father…Our son Ollie deserves a complete family. And I want to be a part of that! I want to embrace my role and be there for both of you. So let's start over...with our baby!"

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

Andrea kept calm, pretending not to know that Jeremy had listened to the message on her answering machine the previous night. She played along, not giving her ex-boyfriend even the slightest clue about her hidden motive.

"Jeremy, I didn't expect this! I was preparing to go through the court. But if you're truly ready to step up for our son…and accept him…then who am I to stop you!"

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Jeremy was all smiles. He threw himself into Andrea's arms as they coiled in a tight embrace. "Thanks for giving me a chance, darling. How about we spend this weekend together…at the zoo…and then the beach…the three of us?"

"A weekend together…?" Andrea exclaimed. "Why…that's a cool idea. I'm sure Ollie would love it!"

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

That weekend turned out to be truly magical. Jeremy and Andrea started their outing at the zoo with baby Ollie, who was fascinated by the animals and birds.

"Look at that deer over there! Isn't it beautiful?" Jeremy exclaimed to his son Ollie, who babbled with delight while perched upon his Dad's shoulders.

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As they strolled through the zoo, Jeremy enthusiastically pointed out the animals and birds to his son. "Look, Ollie! Can you see the colorful parrots up there?" He exclaimed with a chuckle. "They can talk!"

Ollie's eyes sparkled with delight, and he let out a gleeful giggle as his tiny fingers reached out toward the orangutans, deer, and parrots behind the huge glass cases.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Getty Images

For illustration purposes only | Source: Getty Images

"He's really happy when he's around you, Jeremy," Andrea said. "I can see it in his eyes…I can feel it in his laughter. Ollie loves you, even if it was just a day since you two met! I think he's already started connecting to you."

"I'm so glad I found this little bundle of joy!" Jeremy said. "I never imagined that being a father could bring me such immense happiness. Seeing Ollie's radiant smile…hearing his infectious laughter! Wow...it's truly incredible! I can't believe how much I've missed out on."

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Following their delightful adventure at the zoo, Jeremy drove Andrea and their son to the sun-kissed shores of the beach. Finding a spot on the warm sandy beach, Jeremy knelt beside Ollie and started playing with him.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

"Look, Ollie! We're gonna build a sand castle fit for kings and queens!" Jeremy exclaimed, molding the sand with his hands.

Ollie babbled, his tiny hands clumsily attempting to mimic his Dad. His laughter intensified with each unsuccessful attempt, and Jeremy could not hold back his laughter. Oh, how happy they were that day!

But all that joy came crashing down when Jeremy noticed Andrea was so silent all of a sudden. He turned around to see what had happened, only to find her unconscious on the sand.

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

"Doctor…Nurse! Somebody, please help…." Jeremy rushed Andrea to the hospital. "We were at the beach. She was alright. I don't know what happened to her. I turned around and saw she had passed out. Her nose was bleeding…Please, do something."

Jeremy sat outside the ward with his baby, awaiting the doctor's arrival from his girlfriend's ward. After what seemed like an eternity, the doctor approached him with a piece of news that would go on to rock Jeremy's world.

"Mr. Pines, I'm afraid I have some bad news to share with you," the doctor said disappointedly. "After a thorough examination and a series of tests, we found that Andrea has stage 4 cancer. She must know it already. Didn't she tell you?"

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A brief pause hung in the air as Jeremy was shaken. "...the cancer has spread throughout her body. Given the severity of it, we estimate that Andrea has approximately two weeks left," the doctor finished, patting Jeremy's shoulder.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

With a sinking heart, Jeremy trembled his way into Andrea's ward. A deep breath filled the silence as Andrea gingerly turned to face him.

"Hey! It's okay…" she whispered with a smile. "I'm sorry for not telling you."

Andrea had made peace with her impending death ever since she was diagnosed with cancer. She mustered the courage and faked a smile because she didn't want Jeremy to break. And she didn't want his pity either.

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"God, why didn't you tell me? I just don't know what to say. We'll face this together, alright?" Jeremy gently took Andrea's hand. "I promise to take care of our baby Ollie. He will always know how much you love him. I'll make sure he grows up feeling your love."

For illustration purposes only | Source: Getty Images

For illustration purposes only | Source: Getty Images

In a race against time, Jeremy immediately initiated the legal proceedings to gain Ollie's custody. As he meticulously reviewed the documents, his eyes fixated on a particular detail that sent shockwaves through his nerves — his blood type did not match baby Ollie's.

The bitter truth slowly unfurled before Jeremy. "That means…Ollie is not my biological son?" He gasped, and his world shattered. "Oh my God...Did Andrea lie to me about the baby's paternity?"

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As the undeniable truth of his girlfriend's infidelity and Ollie's paternity stared him in the face, Jeremy found himself torn.

After a deep thought, Jeremy made his decision. He knew it would cost him nothing to pretend he was Ollie's biological father. The thought of the boy's inheritance hung heavily in his head, and Jeremy was not ready to give up on the money that could sort out all his financial issues.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pixabay

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pixabay

Two weeks later, Andrea's battle with cancer came to a devastating end. Jeremy, now a single father, brought Ollie to his home, hoping the little one would settle down and adapt to the new environment.

However, Jeremy was taken aback by Ollie's sudden outbursts and tantrums. The baby yearned to return home to his mother, unaware that Andrea had been laid to rest in the cemetery nearby.

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Now with the baby on board, Jeremy struggled to navigate the unfamiliar territory of fatherhood. But he was not the one to give up. He was ready to do anything to raise Ollie and claim his inheritance.

One morning, just a day after Ollie moved in, Jeremy woke up wrinkling his nose to a strong odor of baby poop in his room. Baby Ollie had a dirty diaper that needed a quick change. And Jeremy did not know how to do it in the first place.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

After a long struggle, Jeremy managed to successfully tackle Ollie's dirty diaper. Cradling the baby in one hand, he then headed to the kitchen and started preparing breakfast.

Unfortunately, Jeremy failed to notice that he had put the diaper backward and left it loosely fastened. Just as he poured the milk into the cereal bowl, a warm sensation soaked his T-shirt. Baby Ollie had peed on him!

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"Jesus…Awww, how disgusting!" Jeremy frowned as he put Ollie on the counter. Ollie started wailing, his cries piercing the air. So Jeremy decided to calm him down.

"Shh...it's okay, buddy! Let's calm down, shall we? Eat it...good boy!" he fed the baby and fixed the diaper again. Just as Ollie finished munching on his cereal, Jeremy remembered about the laundry and had to rush.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Getty Images

For illustration purposes only | Source: Getty Images

"Stay right here…don't move, alright?" Jeremy rolled big eyes at Ollie before bolting to the laundry room.

When he returned to the kitchen moments later, his heart almost stopped beating. Baby Ollie clumsily crawled across the counter, holding an empty pack of pills in his tiny hand.

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Jeremy could not immediately recall if the pack had been empty before he left the room. Anxiety kicked in as he bolted toward Ollie. He scooped him up and rushed to the hospital.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

Back in the clinic, Baby Ollie underwent a gastric lavage procedure. Meanwhile, for Jeremy, it was like walking on shards of glass. He begged Almighty to save his little son's life, and his eyes welled up with tears as he anxiously waited outside the ward.

One of the most stressful days of his life came to an end when the doctor approached Jeremy and told him Ollie was alright. Jeremy thanked God and sighed with relief as he carried his son to the car and drove home.

"You almost scared me, little fella!" Jeremy said as he put baby Ollie to sleep. "Now close those eyes…and go to sleep!"

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As soon as the little one dozed off, Jeremy quietly crept out of the room and headed to the fridge. He grabbed a beer bottle and settled down at the kitchen table for a drink. Suddenly, his phone rang, shattering the stillness around him.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

"Good afternoon, Mr. Pines," a woman spoke on the other end of the line. "This is regarding your outstanding debt. We want to remind you that interest is continuing to accrue...and time is running out. It's crucial that you consider your future, and we strongly advise you to pay off the debt as soon as possible."

The woman's words kept ringing in Jeremy's head. He knew he needed to do something before it was too late.

"Ollie will be turning three in a few months…and he'll be getting his first payout of $200,000. I need to meet Andrea's lawyer immediately to clarify certain things about the inheritance," Jeremy thought, turning on his laptop.

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Jeremy looked up the internet and found a certain attorney by the name of David Jr. online, who practiced law in the same town. Convinced he was Andrea's lawyer handling Ollie's inheritance, Jeremy decided to meet him first thing the next day.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

The following morning, Jeremy left Ollie with a neighbor and drove to the attorney's office to discuss more about the boy's legacy.

"Thank you for coming, Mr. Pines," the lawyer said. "I've conducted thorough research and reached out to several organizations. But I regret to inform you that there is no indication of any inheritance pertaining to your son, Ollie."

Jeremy's heart sank. "Mr. White, can you please check again? I'm sure there's a mistake. My partner and I got this message from a lawyer…about my son's inheritance. He said his name was David. And you're the only David practicing law in this town."

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"Mr. Pines, I reviewed all the documents. There's no evidence of any legacy in your son's name. Moreover, I don't share any sensitive information with my clients over the phone."

"It appears, Mr. Pines, that you have been deceived."

A whirlpool of emotions swirled within Jeremy as he furiously left the attorney's office and drove home.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pixabay

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pixabay

Jeremy stormed out of his car and headed inside his house. "Andrea, how could you do this to me? Was this your plan? To make a damn fool out of me? Why did you do this?" He barked, looking up at the ceiling.

Jeremy frustratingly paced back and forth in the living room. The news of Ollie's fake legacy compounded his temper. He could not take this anymore. In a spur-of-the-moment decision, he pulled out his phone and rang the bank.

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"Look, I can't pay off all my debts right now. I need at least a week before I can arrange the money," Jeremy told the representative. "I'm planning to mortgage my house and make a significant deposit. Please, just give me some time."

"We understand, Mr. Pines. But a week is all you've got," came the reply from the other end of the line.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

Distressed and annoyed by the strange twist of fate, Jeremy hung up. "Damn it! Even if I mortgage my house, it won't be enough. I'll be stuck working double shifts for decades...going crazy just to pay off these damn debts," he fumed.

"Oh God...what have I gotten myself into...this desperation is eating me alive. And on top of that, this kid…who is not mine. No... I can't do this anymore."

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Jeremy brought Ollie home from his neighbor's house and sat him down at the table, staring him in the eye. "Alright, buddy...it's just you and me. I can't have you around anymore, alright?" Jeremy told Ollie, who looked at him with big, gray eyes.

"Don't look at me like that…You can't live with me anymore...It's not like I'm your...." Jeremy paused. He did not wish to say such a hurtful thing to the child.

"Fine. It's going to be tough. You know what? We need a fresh start. You and me...we got to split up…find our separate ways."

As the weight of his circumstances pressed down on Jeremy, he made a difficult decision. He put baby Ollie in the car and drove him to the foster camp in town.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Getty Images

For illustration purposes only | Source: Getty Images

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Half an hour later, Jeremy pulled up outside the foster home. A gentle breeze ruffled Ollie's hair as Jeremy watched the boy, his grip tight on the steering wheel. With a heavy sigh, Jeremy mustered the strength and stepped out of the car, clasping Ollie's tiny finger.

The little boy's eyes gleamed with wonder as he scanned the surroundings. He was excited, thinking it was like one of those outings he enjoyed not too long ago with his parents.

As they approached the door, Jeremy knocked and looked down at Ollie. Suddenly, the little boy looked up at Jeremy, his eyes filled with innocence and love.

"DAD!" Little Ollie chirped his first-ever word. That instant second, something inside Jeremy melted…and his heart shattered.

Jeremy could not hold back his tears. He swept Ollie into a tight embrace when the door swung open, and an older woman greeted Jeremy. "Hello! Oh, I understand why you are here. This way, please...the reception is that way...please follow me," she said.

In that fragile moment, a grave silence hung in the air for ten seconds. Finally, Jeremy rose and said, "You know what...Sorry! It seems we have got the wrong address. Have a nice day!" With his little son cradled in his arms, Jeremy turned around and headed back to his car.

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

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This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone's life. If you would like to share your story, please send it to info@amomama.com.

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