The hospital corridor hummed with a quiet buzz. James leaned against the wall near the waiting room, phone pressed to his ear. “I’ll call you back,” he murmured, distracted by the nurse who motioned for him. “Susy’s resting,” she said. “Your daughter’s inside. Anna’s meeting her now.”

He stepped into the delivery room moments later, greeted by the sight of Anna standing on a stool by the crib. She turned to him, her little face scrunched in confusion. “Daddy,” she said, her voice trembling, “that’s not my sister.” James froze, his heart skipping a beat.

He laughed nervously, stepping closer to the crib. The baby was pale, her hair a vivid shade of copper. He blinked, trying to reconcile the image with the child he’d imagined. Something gnawed at him—a whisper of doubt he quickly pushed aside. It didn’t mean anything. Did it?

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James had always dreamed of a big, happy family. When Susy got pregnant with Anna, their first child, it seemed like the beginning of a perfect life. But reality had been less idyllic. Sleepless nights, financial stress, and unmet expectations had strained their marriage.

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Arguments became routine after Anna’s birth. Susy struggled with the demands of motherhood, and James felt helpless to bridge the growing gap between them. Their once-loving relationship turned into a series of tense silences and heated words. “This isn’t what I signed up for,” Susy had said once, tears in her eyes.

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James felt like he was failing—not just as a husband, but as a father. Yet every time he held Anna, her tiny hands clutching his finger, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. “We’ll figure this out,” he told himself, though he wasn’t always sure how.

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Over time, things began to heal. They found small ways to reconnect—quiet dinners, shared laughter over Anna’s antics, and stolen moments when life wasn’t so overwhelming. When Susy announced she was pregnant again, James felt hope bloom in a way he hadn’t in years.

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“This is our fresh start,” Susy had said one night, her hand resting on her growing belly. James smiled, holding her close. “A second chance,” he agreed. He threw himself into preparing for the baby, determined to do everything right this time—for Susy, for Anna, for their family.

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Anna was thrilled about becoming a big sister. She spent hours picking out toys to share and discussing names with James. “What if she looks like me?” Anna asked one evening, her eyes bright. “Then we’ll have two Annas,” James teased, making her giggle.

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Susy smiled more often, her face glowing with excitement. They spent weekends decorating the nursery, folding tiny clothes, and imagining the future. For the first time in years, James felt like they were moving in the same direction. “We’re going to be okay,” he thought.

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The day of the delivery was a mix of nerves and excitement. James held Susy’s hand as they walked into the hospital, Anna skipping beside them. “Is the baby coming now?” Anna asked eagerly. James chuckled. “Soon, sweetheart. Just a little longer.”

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The delivery was longer and more difficult than expected. James watched anxiously as nurses rushed around, their faces tense. When the baby finally arrived, Susy was pale and weak, barely able to keep her eyes open. “She needs rest,” the nurse assured him. “The baby’s doing fine.”

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The delivery room smelled sharp and sterile, the soft beeping of monitors the only sound cutting through the stillness. Anna hesitated at the threshold, clutching the stuffed rabbit she’d brought as a gift for her baby sister. The nurse smiled kindly and bent down to her level.

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“Your mommy is resting,” the nurse said softly, her voice warm. “But your little sister is here. Would you like to meet her first?” Anna’s eyes lit up with a mix of excitement and nervousness. She nodded, gripping the rabbit tightly. “I want to see her,” she said.

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The nurse held out her hand, and Anna slipped her tiny fingers into the larger, comforting palm. As they walked into the room, the nurse’s voice took on a gentle, almost reverent tone. “She’s beautiful, just like you. She’s been waiting to meet her big sister.”

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Anna peeked around the corner as they entered. Her mom lay on the hospital bed, her face pale and her eyes closed. Wires and tubes surrounded her, and Anna’s steps slowed as a flicker of worry crossed her face. “Is Mommy okay?” she whispered.

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“She’s just very tired,” the nurse reassured her, kneeling beside her. “She worked very hard to bring your sister into the world. She’ll be awake soon, I promise. In the meantime, your sister is right here. Do you want to see her?”

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Anna glanced at her mom once more, then nodded resolutely. The nurse led her toward the crib, a pristine white cocoon under the glow of fluorescent lights. The sight of the tiny bundle swaddled in pink made Anna stop in her tracks, her breath catching.

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“She’s really small,” Anna murmured, her wide eyes fixed on the baby. She tightened her grip on the rabbit. “Will she get bigger?” The nurse chuckled. “Oh yes, she’ll grow very quickly. But right now, she’s just a little peanut.”

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Anna edged closer, her curiosity overpowering her hesitation. A stool had been placed in front of the crib, and the nurse motioned for her to climb it. “You can get a better look from up there,” the nurse said. Anna obeyed, hoisting herself up and leaning on the crib’s edge.

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Her gaze settled on the baby for the first time. The baby’s face was delicate, her tiny hands peeking out from the soft blanket. But something wasn’t right. The baby’s hair—soft tufts of vibrant orange—stood out starkly against the pale tones of her skin and the light-colored surroundings.

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Anna blinked, tilting her head. “That’s not what I thought she’d look like,” she said aloud, her voice filled with childlike honesty. The nurse tilted her head curiously. “What do you mean, sweetie? She’s your baby sister.”

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Anna frowned, studying the baby with an intensity that didn’t match her age. “Her hair…” she trailed off, then looked up at the nurse. “She doesn’t look like me or Daddy or Mommy.” There was a note of unease in her voice now, one the nurse quickly tried to dispel.

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“Sometimes babies look a little different when they’re born,” the nurse said gently, her tone rehearsed. “Their features change as they grow. Give her a little time, and I’m sure you’ll see how much she looks like you.”

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Anna didn’t respond. She was still staring at the baby, her brow furrowed as though trying to solve a puzzle too big for her. The nurse stood quietly for a moment, then offered an encouraging smile. “Would you like to give her your rabbit?” she asked.

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The suggestion seemed to snap Anna out of her thoughts. She looked down at the rabbit, then carefully placed it inside the crib beside her sister. “This is Floppy,” she said softly. “You can have him. He’s nice.”

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The baby stirred, her tiny hand twitching as if reaching for the rabbit. Anna watched in silence, her initial wonder giving way to uncertainty. When she finally looked up, her big blue eyes were filled with confusion. “That’s not my sister,” she whispered.

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Before the nurse could respond, the door creaked open, and James stepped inside. His smile was wide as he approached, though it faltered slightly when he saw Anna’s expression. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” he asked, kneeling down beside her.

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Anna looked at him, her face serious. “Daddy,” she said, her voice trembling. “That’s not my sister.” James blinked, then stood to peer into the crib. The baby’s pale skin and bright ginger hair caught him off guard. He tilted his head slightly, unsure what to make of it.

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“She’s beautiful,” he said after a moment, though his tone was careful. He placed a reassuring hand on Anna’s back. “Don’t be silly, Anna. Of course she’s your sister.” But the strange feeling in his chest lingered, even as he tried to brush it aside.

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The nurse cleared her throat, her professionalism returning. “Newborns often look a little different at first,” she said, repeating her earlier reassurance. “Her features will become more familiar in no time. She’s perfectly healthy.”

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James nodded, though he couldn’t help but glance back at the baby, the vivid copper of her hair catching the light. “Yeah,” he said, forcing a smile. “Of course. She’s perfect.” But as he lifted Anna off the stool and held her close, he couldn’t ignore the quiet doubt settling in the back of his mind.

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The first few days at home were a whirlwind of activity. The cries of the newborn punctuated the quiet hours of the night, leaving the house in a constant state of fatigue. James and Susy worked like a tag team, trading off responsibilities—feedings, diaper changes, rocking the baby back to sleep.

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The routine left little room for conversation, let alone reflection. But Anna’s quiet questions never ceased, her little voice cutting through the haze of exhaustion. “Why doesn’t she look like me?” she asked one evening, sitting cross-legged on the couch with her stuffed rabbit in her lap.

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Her tone wasn’t accusing, just curious, but it made James pause. “She’s your sister, sweetheart,” James said gently, though the words felt hollow even as he spoke them. He crouched down beside her, brushing a stray curl from her face.

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“Sometimes babies just look a little different at first. Remember what the nurse said?” Anna tilted her head, her wide eyes searching his face for reassurance. “But her hair is so red,” she said softly, almost to herself. “And ours is yellow.”

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She picked at Floppy’s ear, her brow furrowed in thought. “Maybe she’s from somewhere else.” James’s heart ached at her innocence. He ruffled her hair gently. “She’s from here, Anna. From Mommy and me. And she’s perfect, just like you are.”

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Anna nodded, though her frown lingered as she stared at the baby, who lay swaddled and asleep in the bassinet nearby. James couldn’t shake Anna’s words. They stayed with him, a quiet echo that grew louder in the quiet hours of the night. One evening, as he rocked the baby to sleep, he found himself staring at her tiny face.

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She was beautiful, there was no doubt about that—her delicate features and soft, downy hair framed by the glow of the lamp. But the hair. It caught the light in fiery strands, a stark contrast to the golden tones of his and Susy’s. He reached out, brushing his fingers lightly over her head.

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The strands were soft and fine, and yet they burned brightly against her pale skin, vivid and impossible to ignore. James let his fingers graze her hair gently, almost as though he could rub away the brightness and reveal something more familiar beneath it.

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But it remained the same—fiery and vivid, a stark contrast to the soft golden tones that ran through their family. James looked down at his daughter’s peaceful face, her tiny lips parted as she slept.

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She was so small, so fragile. His heart ached with love for her, but tangled up with that love was a whisper of doubt that refused to quiet. It didn’t help that the comments had already started. The neighbor’s cheerful “Where’d she get that from?” played in his mind like a taunt.

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Even Claire had said it—“Unusual, isn’t it?” The words lingered, twisting into something sharper in the quiet hours of the night. And with them came a question James had been trying to avoid. Could it be possible? No.

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He shook his head as though to physically dispel the thought. Susy would never. She wouldn’t. Susy’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. “Is she asleep yet?” she asked softly, stepping into the dimly lit nursery. Her face was tired, but there was a softness in her gaze as she looked at the baby.

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James nodded, cradling their daughter in his arms. “She just fell asleep,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. He stood and carried the baby to the bassinet, laying her down carefully. Susy hovered beside him, her hand brushing lightly against his arm. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” she murmured.

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James hesitated for a fraction of a second, then nodded. “Yeah, she is,” he said, though his voice lacked conviction. He turned to look at Susy, wondering if she noticed what he did. But her expression was serene, her eyes filled with nothing but love as she watched their baby sleep.

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Later that night, as James lay awake in bed, the doubts crept in again. He glanced at Susy, who was sound asleep beside him, her blonde hair spilling over the pillow. The image of the baby’s fiery red strands flashed in his mind, unbidden. He clenched his fists, feeling a flicker of guilt.

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The next day, as Susy napped and Anna played in the living room, James found himself scrolling through old family photos on his phone. He searched for any hint of red in their lineage, any ancestor or distant relative who might explain the anomaly. But photo after photo showed the same familiar shades of blonde and brown.

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“Daddy?” Anna’s voice startled him, and he quickly locked his phone. She stood in the doorway, holding Floppy by one ear. “Are you looking at pictures of me?” she asked, tilting her head curiously. James forced a smile, patting the couch beside him.

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“Just looking at some old family photos,” he said. Anna climbed up beside him, leaning over to peek at the screen. “Did I look like her when I was a baby?” she asked. “You looked a lot like Mommy,” James said, pulling up a photo of Susy holding newborn Anna.

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The resemblance was unmistakable—the same golden curls, the same warm complexion. Anna studied the photo, then glanced at the bassinet in the corner of the room. “She’s really different,” Anna said, her voice soft. “Do you think she’ll change?”

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James’s chest tightened at her words. He wanted to reassure her, to brush away her doubts as easily as he had tried to brush away his own. But the truth was, he didn’t know the answer. “Maybe,” he said finally. “But even if she doesn’t, that’s okay. Different can be beautiful.”

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Anna nodded slowly, though her eyes lingered on the bassinet. “I hope she likes Floppy,” she said quietly. “I want her to like me.” James wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. “She already loves you, Anna,” he said. “She’s lucky to have a big sister like you.”

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The following afternoon, the house buzzed with activity as James and Susy prepared for the neighbors’ visit. Susy moved methodically through the kitchen, arranging cookies on a plate and pouring coffee into the carafe. “Don’t forget to grab the baby blanket,” she reminded James, who was bouncing the baby gently in his arms.

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Anna sat cross-legged on the floor near the couch, carefully arranging her toys in a semicircle. “Do you think they’ll bring a present?” she asked eagerly. “Maybe something for her to play with.” James smiled faintly, though his mind was elsewhere. He smoothed the baby’s bright copper hair with his hand, his unease bubbling beneath the surface.

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The doorbell rang, echoing through the house. James stood in the nursery, adjusting the baby’s swaddle as she let out a small, contented sigh. “I’ll get it!” Anna’s voice rang out from the living room, her footsteps padding quickly across the floor.

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“Anna, wait!” Susy called from the kitchen, but it was too late. The door creaked open, and the cheerful voices of their neighbors, Claire and Don, filled the entryway. “There she is!” Claire exclaimed. “The proud big sister.”

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Anna grinned, stepping back to let them in. She clutched Floppy to her chest, her excitement tempered by a quiet uncertainty that James had noticed in her since they brought the baby home. “Come in,” Susy said warmly, wiping her hands on a dish towel as she joined them.

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Claire carried a brightly wrapped package, which she handed to Anna with a wink. “This is for the baby,” she said. “But I’m sure her big sister can help her open it.” Anna’s eyes lit up as she accepted the gift. “Thank you!” she said, hurrying to the couch to open it.

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Don, carrying a small bouquet of flowers, turned to James. “Where’s the little one?” he asked, his voice booming with cheer. James motioned toward the living room. “Right here,” he said, following the group as they gathered around the bassinet.

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Claire’s eyes widened the moment she saw the baby. “Oh my goodness, look at her hair!” she said, her voice filled with delight. “It’s so red. What a striking little one you’ve got here.” James’s jaw tightened, though he forced a polite smile.

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Susy bent over the bassinet, lifting the baby carefully and holding her close. “She’s been an angel,” she said, her voice calm but a little too measured. “We’re still getting used to the routine, but she’s settling in well.”

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“Redheads run in your family, do they?” Don asked casually, handing Susy the bouquet. She paused for just a fraction of a second before answering. “Not exactly,” she said lightly. “But I suppose these things can pop up out of nowhere.”

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“Must be one of those surprises,” Claire said with a laugh. “Well, she’s a beauty. People will notice her wherever she goes with that fiery hair.” She leaned closer, studying the baby with a curious smile. “But it’s unusual, isn’t it?”

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The comment landed awkwardly, and James felt his pulse quicken. “She’s unique,” he said, his voice clipped. He glanced at Susy, whose expression remained calm, though he could see the tension in her shoulders as she gently rocked the baby.

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Anna, meanwhile, had finished opening the gift—a soft blanket adorned with tiny pink flowers. “This is for her?” she asked, holding it up. Claire nodded, smiling. “She’s going to look adorable wrapped in that,” she said. “You’ll be the best big sister, won’t you?”

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Anna hesitated, glancing between the baby and the blanket. “She doesn’t look like me,” she said quietly, almost as if to herself. But the room had fallen silent, and everyone heard her. Susy’s hand stilled on the baby’s back, and James cleared his throat uncomfortably.

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“Kids notice the smallest things,” Don said, chuckling awkwardly. “But that’s what makes families fun, isn’t it? All those little differences.” Claire nodded quickly, trying to smooth over the moment. “Absolutely. Besides, you never know how babies will grow into their looks.”

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Susy’s smile was thin as she passed the baby to Claire. “Would you like to hold her?” she asked, changing the subject. Claire eagerly accepted, cradling the baby in her arms. “Oh, she’s so light,” she said softly. “And look at that face. Just precious.”

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James stood back, watching the scene unfold. The neighbors’ words swirled in his mind, adding weight to the doubt he’d been carrying since the baby’s birth. Unusual. Surprising. Doesn’t look like us. He tried to shake it off, but the thoughts clung to him like a shadow.

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The visit dragged on as Claire and Don chatted about everything from the weather to the baby’s weight at birth. Susy managed to keep the conversation flowing, but James could see the strain in her posture. When they finally said their goodbyes, she practically sagged with relief.

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After closing the door, James turned to her. “That was… something,” he said, his tone carefully neutral. Susy placed the baby in the bassinet, her movements slow and deliberate. “They didn’t mean anything by it,” she said quietly, not meeting his eyes.

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“Didn’t they?” James asked, his voice a touch sharper than he intended. Susy’s head snapped up, her expression hardening. “What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked, her tone defensive. “They’re just making observations. Everyone does when there’s a new baby.”

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James ran a hand through his hair, exhaling deeply. “I’m not saying they meant harm,” he said carefully. “But you can’t deny it felt… pointed. Like they were trying to figure out why she doesn’t look like us.”

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Susy’s eyes narrowed. “And what, exactly, are you trying to say, James?” she asked, her voice low and tight. James hesitated, sensing the line he was about to cross. “I’m just saying it’s… noticeable. That’s all.”

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“That’s all?” Susy repeated, her voice rising. “You think I haven’t noticed? You think I don’t hear it in their voices, in yours? She’s our daughter, James. Do you need me to say it louder for you?” James raised his hands defensively.

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“I’m just saying it’s… unusual, that’s all. I’m not accusing you of anything. I just think we should… I don’t know, look into it?” Susy’s eyes filled with tears, and her voice cracked as she replied.

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“How could you even think that? After everything we’ve been through, you’re questioning me now?” Her words were laced with hurt, and James felt a pang of guilt. “I’m not,” he tried to say, but it was too late.

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The argument escalated, their voices rising until Anna appeared at the top of the stairs, clutching her stuffed rabbit. “Why are you yelling?” she asked, her voice trembling. Susy’s expression crumpled, and she quickly crossed the room, kneeling in front of Anna.

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“We’re not yelling, sweetheart,” she said, her tone softening. “We’re just talking. Everything’s okay.” James knelt beside her, wrapping an arm around Anna. “It’s fine, Anna,” he said gently. “Sometimes grown-ups just talk loudly. We didn’t mean to scare you.”

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“Stop fighting!” she cried, tears streaming down her face. James and Susy froze, the weight of their words crashing down on them. They promised themselves it wouldn’t happen again. To ease the tension, Susy reluctantly agreed to a DNA test.

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“Not because I have anything to prove,” she said coldly, “but because this is hurting Anna, and I won’t let that happen.” James nodded, ashamed of the situation but desperate for answers. The wait for the results was agonizing.

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Every glance exchanged between James and Susy felt heavy with unspoken words. Anna seemed to sense the tension, clinging to her father more than usual. “Is she really my sister?” she asked one day, her voice trembling. James hugged her tightly. “Of course she is.”

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When the results finally arrived, James opened the envelope with shaking hands. The paper inside confirmed what he should have known all along: the baby was his. The difference in hair color was simply due to a recessive gene, something neither he nor Susy had anticipated.

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Relief flooded through him, followed by a wave of regret. He looked at Susy, who sat silently, her expression unreadable. “I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I should have trusted you.” Susy’s eyes filled with tears, but she nodded. “We both made mistakes,” she admitted. “Let’s move forward.”

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That evening, James sat with Anna, explaining as gently as he could. “Sometimes people in the same family look a little different,” he said, stroking her hair. “But that doesn’t mean we’re not connected. Your sister is special, just like you are.”

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Anna seemed to understand, her face lighting up as she looked at her baby sister. “She’s different, but she’s still my sister,” she said confidently. James smiled, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. “Exactly,” he said. “And we’re lucky to have her.”

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Life slowly returned to normal. The doubts and arguments faded, replaced by the warmth of their growing family. James often found himself marveling at the baby’s fiery hair, seeing it not as a source of confusion but as a beautiful reminder of life’s unpredictability.

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As the years passed, the story of the baby’s hair became a family joke, something they laughed about over dinner. But for James, it was also a lesson in trust and love—a reminder that families aren’t defined by appearances, but by the bonds they choose to nurture every day.

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