Discovering that the person you thought was your dad isn’t your real father can be really tough. Some people find out this way when they do a DNA test at home, either out of curiosity or to learn more about their family history. In our story, a young man and his dad took the test together and found out a surprising truth about their family.

Having a baby is a big job that both parents should share equally. It’s important for the child’s well-being that they’re not put in uncomfortable situations. Let’s see how this person and his family handled what they found out.

It didn’t make sense to me because my dad and I have the same family group, and we look a lot alike. But when my cousin also took the test, she shared 24.6% with me, which meant she could be my half-sister. Usually, first cousins only share about 12%.

I couldn’t figure out any family connection that would explain the results, so I talked to experts. They said the shared percentages were very accurate and probably not wrong. The only explanation I could come up with was that my uncle—my cousin’s dad and my dad’s brother—is actually my dad.

I didn’t hesitate—I went straight to my mom. She’s a businesswoman who travels a lot. She didn’t know my dad and I took the test because she was away at the time and had just come back. My mom and I don’t have a typical relationship because she’s always focused on her work. That’s why my dad mostly raised me.

I asked her right away if she had been unfaithful to my dad with my uncle. Her face went pale so fast I’ve never seen anything like it. She looked shocked and said, “What kind of question is that? No, of course not!” So I told her everything—about the test, the percentages, the strange coincidences… My mom collapsed on the floor, crying and begging me not to tell Dad anything.

For the next few hours, I stayed in my room and heard my whole family having a big argument. My parents were yelling at each other, and my grandparents came running to see what was happening. Then my aunt-in-law and biological father showed up, and I’m pretty sure they got into a fight with my “dad.” It was total chaos.

I feel awful about all of this. I know it’s not my fault, but I can’t help but feel like it’s because of me. None of this would have happened if I hadn’t spent my birthday money on that DNA test. But part of me is also relieved to finally know the truth. I’m too scared to leave my room now. All I can hear is my dad crying. My whole life feels like it’s falling apart.