I Discovered a Mysterious Note in My Daughter’s Backpack — The Truth Left Me Stunned

I Found a Note in My Daughter’s Backpack Saying, ‘I’m Your Real Dad, Come and See Me After School’ – I Went Pale When I Found Out Who Did It
When Trent discovers a mysterious message in his daughter’s backpack, who is nine years old, it completely upends his world: “I’m your real dad, come and see me.” He is plagued by suspicion, but nothing can prepare him for the startling reality he discovers.

Staring at the half-full coffee mug in my hand, I stood at the kitchen sink. The peaceful street outside was softly illuminated by the morning sun that came through the drapes.

I used to look forward to these kinds of mornings because they were peaceful, cozy, and I knew Lily was just upstairs getting ready for school. However, things felt different lately.

With a sigh, I put down the mug and listened to the distant sound of Lily’s footfall. With her hair in disarray, she would run down the stairs and talk endlessly about her dreams or whatever had happened at school the previous day.

Right now? She dragged her feet now, speaking hardly, as if she were carrying a burden.

There was a problem, and I was concerned.

I called “Lily,” expecting a response that would defuse the situation. “Do you want pancakes? Before you leave, I can prepare some.”

From the top of the stairs, she murmured, “Not hungry,” in a voice as flat as it had been for weeks.

I flinched. Her voice had never sounded so icy and acerbic. It wasn’t typical of her. As she came down, I dried my hands and looked at her.

“Hey, child, what’s happening? Lately, you have been somewhat silent.

She shrugged, avoiding eye contact. “Nothing.”

I detested that answer. She used to share everything with me, but lately it seemed like she was avoiding me. As though she was eager to go out, she grabbed her backpack and walked to the door.

“Lily, wait.” I had my heart in my throat. I was more afraid than I cared to admit, and I detested how aloof she had grown. “You are aware that you can speak with me? Regarding anything.”

Her hand was on the doorknob as she hesitated.

I had a fleeting hope that she would turn back and talk to me. She simply nodded, though, as her shoulders tensed.

“Yes. I am aware. She sounded as though she didn’t believe what she was saying. Without saying another word, she opened the door and slipped away.

I felt the silence encroaching on me as I stood there. There was a problem. I simply didn’t yet know what it was.

I was doing the laundry that afternoon, as I usually did on the weekends. Lily’s rucksack, which appeared to have survived some sort of battleground, was thrown upon her bed.

Digging through the tangle of crumpled papers and snack wrappers, I decided to wipe it out before tossing it in the washing machine. I discovered the note at that point.

A folded piece of paper, so tattered that it was almost coming apart, slipped out of the side pocket.

Something heavy settled in my chest when I unfolded it after staring at it for a moment.

“Your real father is me. Come see me behind the school on the last Monday of September.

My heart stopped beating. For a moment, the words were hazy, and it felt as though my brain was unable to comprehend what they meant. A real father? What on earth was this?

I was Lily’s father. Since the day of her birth, I had been her caregiver.

My wife, Kate, who had been gone for six years, would never have withheld such a thing from me. She cherished me. She would never have betrayed me.

Would she?

I was feeling nauseous. There was more to the note than meets the eye. It felt like a target. It was as if someone knew just how to harm me and used Lily to do it. However, who? And why?

At that moment, I wanted to confront Lily and ask her questions.

But I was halted by something. Not yet. I couldn’t do that to her.

Two days had passed since the note’s instruction to meet on the final Monday of September. I had to find out who was responsible.

I was watching the school from my automobile two days later. I detested having to follow my daughter like a detective, but I was powerless to stop myself. I had to know what was happening.

Lily’s shoulders were stiff as she moved carefully to the school’s rear gate, as if she knew something wasn’t right. Then I noticed him: a tall man standing near the fence, slouching a little. After a moment, I recognized the person, and my blood froze.

Jeff. A coworker of mine. I never gave it much attention, but he had always been reserved and quiet.

Thus far.

After a brief moment of hesitation, Lily approached him. I opened the window just enough to hear what they were saying.

Jeff responded, “You came,” in a quiet, almost too serene voice. “I wasn’t sure you would.”

I could see Lily fiddling with the straps of her backpack, but she didn’t answer. She felt anxious. From where I sat, I could sense it.

Jeff went on, “I know this is a lot,” in a soft voice that made my skin crawl. However, your mother wanted you to be aware of the reality. She has no intention of hurting you. or… him.

I was no longer able to sit there. I thought my heart could burst as I slammed the car door open and ran in their direction. “What the hell is going on here?”

Jeff winced, his face tensing briefly before he regained his composure. “Trent. I wanted to discuss this with you.

“Talk?” My voice trembled with anger. “You think you can just show up and tell my daughter you’re her father?”

Jeff turned back to me after glancing at Lily, who appeared more perplexed than I had ever seen her. “She is entitled to know. Kate and I had a connection. My kid is Lily.

I was hearing things that I couldn’t believe. My entire body trembled in shock, and my hands balled into fists. “Not at all. You’re telling lies. That’s not what Kate would do to me. She refused to hide that from me.

“She didn’t want to hurt you, Trent.” Jeff sounded so confident and at ease. “She thought it was for the best.”

I turned to face Lily, and the wide-eyed, scared expression on her face broke my heart. “Don’t listen to him, Lily. He’s telling lies.

Even though Lily’s voice was hardly audible, it pierced me like a knife. “Is it accurate? “Is it true, Dad?”

With my hands on her arms, I knelt down in front of her. “What people say is irrelevant. I am your father. Every day of your life, I was there. I am your father because of that. Nothing more.

She only stared at me, her mouth trembling, without saying anything. It broke my heart to see her like way, and I could feel her trembling under my hands. My anger flared up again, and I turned back to Jeff.

“Get out of here.”

Jeff looked nearly dejected as he sighed. “I’m not leaving, even though I realize this is difficult. She is entitled to the truth.

“You’re not her father,” I snarled, my rage barely contained. “You never will be.”

Jeff turned and left after giving me one final pathetic glance. I wanted to follow him and ask him questions, but Lily’s little cry made me stop.

I encircled her with my arms and held her as firmly as I could. I would not allow her to be harmed. Never.

My mind was racing with unwanted thoughts as I lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling. Is it possible? Is it possible that Kate kept that information from me?

I reflected about every laugh and every talk we had had together. Now nothing made sense.

The following day, I began researching Jeff’s history. Waiting for answers was not an option for me. I had to be told the truth.

Finding out that Jeff had been let go from our organization a month prior for fabricating his resume didn’t take long.

He has a track record of manipulating others to achieve his goals. My sense of relief was profound. He had made all of his lies.

A few nights later, Lily and I were watching a show on the couch that neither of us was really watching. I knew I needed to speak with her. She was entitled to the truth.

“Lily,” I whispered, “we must discuss Jeff.”

Despite her tenseness and little curling toward me, she remained silent.

“He misled you, child. Almost anything. Jeff is not your biological father. He’s simply… ill. He intended to harm us.

Lily’s eyes were wide with fear as she stared up at me. “But… what if it’s true?”

Telling her, “It doesn’t matter what he said,” I drew her in. “I’m your father. Nothing will ever alter the fact that I have always been your father.

She nodded after giving me a lengthy look while her lip quivered. “I love you, Dad.”

“Kiddo, I also adore you. Always.

I received a call from the police a few days later. For stalking a different family, Jeff had been placed under arrest. As it happened, the man had a track record of deceiving and controlling others. It was done. I felt as though I could finally breathe again after hanging up the phone.

Silently, Lily drew at the kitchen table. I approached her and gave her a head kiss. We would be all right.

We had to be.