**Diary Entry**
He refused to marry his pregnant girlfriend. His mother sided with him, but his father stood up for the unborn child.
“Dad, Ive got news,” Thomas said the moment he stepped inside. “The neighbours daughter, Emily shes pregnant. Its mine.”
Arthur, his father, paused for a moment before replying calmly, “Then marry her.”
“Youre joking, right? Im too young for this. Its not the time to start a familybesides, we were never serious.”
“Serious?” His father let out a bitter laugh. “You were man enough to chase after her, but suddenly youre a child when its time to take responsibility. Fine.” Without another word, he called for his wife. “Margaret! Come here!”
Margaret walked into the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron.
“Whats going on?”
“Our son got Emily, the neighbours girl, pregnant, and now he wont marry her.” He scoffed.
Margaret didnt even blink. Her expression turned cold.
“And hes right. Why bring home the first girl who comes along? Girls these days are cleverfind someone with money, get pregnant, and suddenly its marry me. Whos to say the child is even his? He should get a DNA test. And anyway, we cant pressure Thomashes still young. Hes a man; it wasnt easy to resist. But we dont have to raise someone elses child.”
Arthur sighed deeply, speaking quietly.
“And if it really is his?”
“So what? Are we forced to take responsibility? Tell him to get the test done, then well see.”
She turned and walked back to the kitchen, leaving Arthur alone with his son.
“You know, I was young once too,” he began. “I liked one girl, married another. Not for love but because it was the right thing. Being a man isnt just about passionits about choices and consequences. Your mother was pregnant. I didnt know if I could stay with her, but I knew one thingthe child wasnt at fault. My blood, my conscience. And, Thomas, I never regretted it.”
Three months passed. The DNA results came back clear99.9% probability Thomas was the father of Emilys baby.
“Well?” Margaret huffed when Arthur placed the paper in front of her. “Yes, its his. But that doesnt mean Emily is moving into this house. She doesnt set foot here. I mean it!”
Thomas sat silently, avoiding his fathers gaze. His clenched fists betrayed his choicehe was on his mothers side.
Arthur rose slowly from the table.
“Since the two of you have made your decision, now hear mine.”
His voice was quiet but firm.
“As long as I live, my grandchild will want for nothing. Ill buy land, build a house, and hemy grandsonwill have everything Ive worked for. And the two of you can forget my help. I refuse to take part in this disgrace. Thomas, as of today, youre no longer my son. Everything I own will go to the child. Not a penny will you get from me.”
Margaret exploded.
“Are you mad? Youd disinherit your own son?!”
Arthur didnt answer. He turned and walked out, ignoring the shouts and curses. Thomas stood frozen in the silence, unable to believe what his father had said. But he knew one thingif Arthur said it, he meant it.