For most people in their mid-fifties, retirement is like going on a much-awaited vacation after all the years of working hard. Richard Mason might have looked forward to it as well, but when he received the unfortunate news of having cystic fibrosis, he thought that was the end.
It was shocking at first, but Richard learned that the disease was not life-threatening, so he was able to relax once again. As Richard gathered more information about his illness, he immediately felt something wasn’t quite right, especially when the doctor told him a piece of information that threatened to destroy his life.
Picture-Perfect Family
At 55, Richard Mason was a businessman who seemed to have it all. Since its launch in 1993, MoneySupermarket.com, the price-comparison website he co-founded, has been a huge success. Richard was on top of his entrepreneurial game, but he still managed to spend time with his wife, Kate, and their three sons despite his busy schedule.
He met his lovely spouse back when they worked in a bank, and like a fairy-tale romance, the two got hitched not soon after. Everything was perfect for him, even more so after Kate gave birth to the kids, but it turned out that life had other plans for Richard.
A Life-Changing Decision
The Masons were a tight-knit group for a very long time, but like most families, marital problems were unavoidable. What used to be a rock-solid relationship between Richard and Kate turned sour as the years went by, and both of them knew divorce was just around the corner. Interestingly enough, they felt the need to stick together despite their differences, at least until after their youngest sons, twins Ed and Joel, were over 18.
After the couple separated in 2008, the entire kin’s lives were turned upside-down. Particularly for the children, who couldn’t do anything but accept their new reality.
It’s A Million-Dollar Divorce!
Divorce litigations can usually get nasty even if it starts out as amicable, and that’s exactly what happened in Richard and Kate’s case. As expected, money was the main factor of their squabble in court as the soon-to-be-ex-wife demanded a whopping price of $5 million out of Richard!
Surprisingly, Richard gave in to her expensive request in hopes of securing his children’s future. One would think a million-dollar amount should’ve been enough, but Kate had another agenda in mind and continued to push for more cash over the years – something that confused Richard immensely.
Some Secrets Tear Families Apart
He was only thinking about his kids, so Richard never fought Kate legally, but after eight years, he finally came to understand where his ex-wife’s demands were coming from. A terrible secret came out of the blue that sent everyone reeling, and it all started with a mere physical exam.
Sometime in 2016, the unsuspecting Richard went to his physician, thinking that nothing was wrong with him, but his diagnosis proved that his marriage of over two decades was nothing but a lie. If it weren’t for the doctor’s checkup, Richard would still be living under the illusion that he once had a perfect life and family.
A Regular Annual Checkup Reveal the Truth
In his lifetime, Richard had been diligent in making sure he was in the pinkest of health. So, keeping a regular doctor’s appointment was something he did to ensure this goal was met. He was under the impression it was just going to be a quick session as always, but for some reason, the physician did more tests than usual.
The much-awaited results finally came, and it was determined that Richard had cystic fibrosis. It was a massive blow to him as he thought about all the tedious treatments coming his way. But as fate would have it, it wasn’t the only thing Richard would be worried about.
Richard’s Genetic Disorder
The diagnosis was a shock at first, but when Richard gave it a thought, he realized it was coming his way, considering his sister had suffered the same fate at some point in her life. It was only a matter of time he would have to deal with it, but at his age, Richard couldn’t help but worry as well.
Like most lung problems, cystic fibrosis was a disease that would make the person prone to recurrent infections. The constant bacterial exposure would lead to lung damage and difficulty in breathing. What’s even more problematic was that the illness turned out to be genetic, so Richard was more concerned about his three sons.
Do the Sons Have Cystic Fibrosis?
Like any other parent, Richard wanted to find out whether he passed on his disease to one of his three kids, Will, Ed, or Joel. It wasn’t an easy topic to discuss with the doctor – he might end up blaming himself for putting the children in a situation no one wished to be in.
The anxious father thought about everything pertaining to his condition, including how he would be breaking the news to his family. Richard’s curiosity about cystic fibrosis was also in preparation for his discussion with the kids; however, the doctor told him a piece of information that confused Richard.
Cystic Fibrosis Causes Infertility in Men
The physician was unaware that Richard already had three grown boys, so he was candid that the man would have little to zero chances of fathering children with his second wife, Emma. It turns out that men with cystic fibrosis are likely to be infertile in most cases.
Richard couldn’t believe what the doctor was saying – it was impossible to even think about it since he was already a dad! He was convinced the medical diagnosis was wrong, or perhaps it was just an error in the lab test performed. Obviously, the Mason patriarch had to know the truth, so he went ahead and prodded the doctor with more questions.
Could the Diagnosis be a Mistake?
It took all of Richard’s courage to confidently declare that his diagnosis was incorrect – his sons were the living proof that he’s not infertile at all! Richard’s initial fear of having cystic fibrosis was replaced by relief since that detail did not apply to him – or so he thought.
The doctor was incredibly surprised to hear about Richard’s kids with his ex-wife and realized something wasn’t right. At that point, he would be telling Richard the worst news he’d probably receive in his life—a news that was even more devastating than his actual physical condition.
Cystic Fibrosis Was Always There
Upon seeing the doctor’s reaction to what he said, Richard knew right then and there what the stranger was about to reveal. There was no misdiagnosis – Richard had cystic fibrosis, which meant that he never was his sons’ biological father. This ultimately led him to one conclusion—Kate was cheating on him during their marriage.
The emotional blow of all this was too much. The proud father’s entire life flashed before his very eyes, and in a snap, it dissolved into nothingness. Richard adored his sons more than anything, and hearing that they weren’t blood-related didn’t change his paternal love. But, one thing was for sure, he was going to confront his ex-wife.
Completing the Puzzle
Richard thought long and hard about him and Kate as he sat in the clinic. He tried to recall all the times his ex-wife would have had the chance to be with another man. But it was almost impossible to suspect anything was wrong as Kate never acted out of the ordinary.
Perhaps there were a few instances that could be considered a red flag. However, Richard was still in denial, and he wanted to believe his ex-wife so badly. He was convincing himself that they were happy in their relationship, at least in the first few years, so how could she have done something so unspeakable?
Red Flags He Ignored
Before this illness and even the divorce, Kate and Richard’s marriage was not extraordinary. As a businessman, Richard worked long hours and even sometimes well into the night. It became a routine for him to spend most of his time at work, and Kate occasionally did the same.
Looking back, there’s a high chance Kate’s extramarital affair happened when she was at work. All those extra nights she stayed whenever she went on a trip suddenly sounded suspicious, even the times when she would say her flight got canceled out of the blue – Richard realized that he got completely blindsided.
The Twins Looked Nothing Like Him
Now that the physician informed Richard about his infertility, he remembered all the occasions random people used to say his twin boys never looked like him. He didn’t take it as an offense as comments like that was pretty common, mostly since Ed and Joel looked a lot like their mother.
But that was the biggest warning sign no one saw coming – the twin boys did not look like Richard simply because he wasn’t their father. Richard could only imagine how his children would react once they knew about their parentage.
Kate Wanted Their Kids to be Jewish
It took Kate and Richard seven years of marriage before their eldest child, Will, was conceived – life was perfect with a new baby on the way. But one unusual thing Richard found in Kate was when she suddenly took an interest in Judaism during her pregnancy. Both of them were Christians, so it’s quite understandable how this new information perplexed Richard, especially when Kate did the same on her second pregnancy.
More red flags surfaced as the little lads grew older – Kate gave the boys Jewish second names and was strict about them learning about Judaism through a rabbi. Aside from that, Christian baptizing was not an option too!
Who Did the Boys Look Like?
As expected, Richard scrambled his brain thinking about who his sons’ birth father was. He assessed every little bit of information he had from how the twins looked to Kate’s man friends. It came to a point where he compared mannerisms or any similarity the boys had with men he or Kate knew.
Still, there was a part of Richard that was unsure about Kate’s infidelity. He hasn’t confronted her about it yet, so he might be going over his head too much. Richard was sure the truth would set him free, and Kate was the only key to clearing up the mess they’re in.
Richard’s Suspicions Could be True
Upon careful consideration, Richard believed that if Kate had cheated on him, it had to be with someone she was constantly in contact with. He began narrowing down a list of probable people, and Richard realized it could be one of Kate’s officemates.
All her excuses led back to the countless times she was on a work trip or event. Richard tried to remember what her friends looked like, in case one of them resembled his sons. He trimmed his suspicions further by contemplating the most vital clue of all – who among these men was Jewish?
The Big Confrontation
Richard took the most-awaited step and made his first move in confronting his ex-wife. They were no longer living together, so he couldn’t tell her face-to-face. Instead, Richard sent Kate an email with a detailed account of what the doctor told him and why she needed to respond immediately.
In his letter, Richard told Kate how he went to the hospital for his regular health check but instead got the cystic fibrosis diagnosis. It pained him to write how the illness would lead to infertility in men, meaning he was not the biological father of their offspring – it was probably the most heartbreaking email he wrote as a man.
His Second Attempt
Unfortunately, Kate never took the time to respond to Richard’s first message and chose to ignore it. But Richard was adamant at getting the answers, so he sent another note, this time with a caveat that said he would do something drastic if she won’t reply.
Richard’s condition was if Kate won’t give him an answer, then he was going to tell their boys as he sees fit. But if she did cooperate, then Richard would compromise with how Kate wants to move forward with the news. It didn’t take long before Kate messaged him back – Richard’s plan worked!
Denial Comes in All Forms
In a classic turn of events, Kate denied all allegations from Richard. The email was clear on how she never had an affair with anyone, nor did the kids have a different father. Kate vowed she was telling the truth and was exceptionally firm about Richard being the biological parent of Will, Joel, and Ed.
But no matter how his old spouse carefully worded her statement, Richard didn’t believe a single word of it. So, he kept true to his conditions and took matters into his own hands by confronting his sons. Now, all Richard needs is to undergo a DNA test that would finally prove he’s right.
An Emotional Conversation with Will
Richard called his eldest son, Will, to tell him about the family’s crisis. He wasn’t a hundred percent sure that Will wasn’t his since they have not done a test yet, but he still needed to inform him about the terminal illness. Since Will was already 23, Richard expected it wouldn’t be a difficult conversation, and he was right.
Upon learning his dad’s condition, Will calmly listened to what cystic fibrosis was about. It was a lovely moment for the two as Will’s concern for himself was only secondary – his first worry was Richard’s well-being. However, there was another piece of information the young man was yet to know.
Richard Spills His Suspicions
The moment Richard has been dreading has finally come. And with all his courage, he told Will that any male person infected with cystic fibrosis wouldn’t be physically able to produce children. The thought of it alone was gut-wrenching for Richard, all the more when he had to say it out loud to his son.
It took a few seconds for the news to sink in, but Will bluntly asked his father if he’s trying to say that they were not related to one another. It was the most difficult conversation the father and son ever had in their lives.
He Will Always be Will’s Dad
Richard was left speechless when Will took the words right out of his mouth. Their heart-to-heart talk was truly hard for them both as they have a great relationship as father and son. Will assured Richard that no matter what happened, he would always consider him as his one and only real dad forever.
It was a bittersweet thing to hear, but it warmed Richard’s heart like no other. However, he couldn’t ignore his anger toward Kate as well – life wasn’t fair. If only she were honest with him, Richard and his sons wouldn’t feel hurt and betrayed.
Having No Biological Kids Hurt Richard
As any father would, Richard loved his three sons. So, now that he was almost certain they weren’t biologically his, he felt empty inside. It also placed a massive dent on his ego as predominantly, most men wanted to have sons who would carry on their family’s bloodline, and Richard was no exception. His infertility took that chance away.
Another thing that was hurtful to accept was perhaps he wouldn’t be around much longer. Richard didn’t know how his condition would progress (good or bad), so dealing with both was too much for him.
Will Calls Out His Mom
Will, on the other hand, wanted to get his mother’s side of the story. He already had enough information from his pops, so talking to Kate would be the next best thing. Will felt like their mother would be more open to him, and she was.
Kate admitted to seeing someone else behind Richard’s back during their marriage, and that he was unlikely to be Will’s father. Will was stunned at his mom’s confession – his jilted dad was right about his suspicions all along! This further caused confusion on Will’s part, and he didn’t know what to do.
Kate’s Shocking Revelation
Once Kate revealed the story about the affair, everything else followed. According to her, she met the man just after she and Richard married. At the time, Kate was working at Barclay’s Bank, and that chance encounter became something more that would later destroy her family.
It took about 20 years before her confidential affair was discovered, which is a bit impressive in Kate’s part – playing the role of a dutiful wife worked well in her favor. Regardless, she never revealed the name of the man, but Richard was right about him being a former co-worker.
Kate Still Thinks Richard is the Father
There was still one problem Richard had to deal with – Kate still insisted he was the boys’ true biological father. She believed her indiscretion didn’t matter, but her ex-husband thought otherwise. This was why Richard wanted to undergo a series of confirmatory tests and expose Kate for her wrongdoings.
Leading a double life must have been easy for her, but for Richard, it felt like a slap to his face. Anyone who would be in his shoes would feel the same way, and now it’s about time to uncover all secrets.
The Dreaded Day of the Tests
With the help of a paternity expert named Roger Terrell, Richard took a battery of tests to check whether he was indeed sterile. All the tests confirmed that Richard’s fertility count was too low to produce a child, let alone three.
The next tests would require DNA samples from himself and his children. If the results won’t add up, then that would be the official confirmation of the paternity test. Thankfully, the twins were cooperative and gave their samples for the first test. One could only imagine how they must have felt as they awaited the outcome!
Results Are in for the Twins
Ed and Joel were 19 years old when they underwent the test that would change their entire lives. Both understood what it would mean and how it could impact their family, so when Richard’s suspicions were verified, they also felt the burden of it.
The paternity test proved Kate’s two-decade fling was true to the core, something she could never deny as much she wanted to avoid it. As such, Richard was overcome with intense sadness, and to the point of depression, when it was ultimately verified that his beloved twin boys were not biologically his.
Will Is Against the Paternity Test
Will already knew firsthand about the details behind their dad’s condition even before the test was performed. And while it was never a formal result, he accepted it to some degree. When he learned about his younger brothers’ tests, he outright refused to partake in it, even when the paternity doctor requested that he participate for Richard’s sake.
Based on their last conversation, Will already told Richard he wouldn’t recognize any other man as a father. It goes to show how both have cherished their memories together, and Will’s love for him never wavered, but that did not mean the oldest of the Mason kids would stand by his dad forever.
Richard vs. Will
One can assume Richard would have a landslide victory should he decide to sue Kate for her lies, especially if he could obtain the much-needed DNA sample from Will. But one’s love for their mother would always prevail, so the eldest son implored Richard to change his mind about taking legal action.
Will swore he would never speak to his father again if he went ahead with the lawsuit. However, Kate’s shenanigans were too great to ignore – Richard believed justice needed to be served fast. And when that happened, his relationship with Will disappeared like a bubble.
The Twins Kept in Touch
Unlike their older brother, Joel and Ed continued to support their father. Their lives were never the same once the court sessions began, but the twins respected Richard’s decision. They didn’t take sides since they loved their mother equally. Still, they felt the need to remind Richard that he was their only dad.
They wrote him letters, and some of them showed their love and respect for Richard. Moved by his sons’ loyalty, Richard promised to always stay in touch. They might not see each other as much as before, but they’ll always be there for each other, regardless of the court battle outcome.
Richard Won the Case but Lost His Family
It was a long and winding road, but Richard finally got the truth out after winning the case against Kate. She paid $300,000 in damages but made a dead with the prosecutor to keep the biological father’s identity under wraps. Richard disagreed since he wanted the children to meet this man, but he came to terms with the decision since it wasn’t within his control.
Despite winning the battle against his ex-wife, Richard was sadder than ever, knowing his family life was never real. Now, he has shifted his focus towards his health, and hopefully, the man would emerge victorious in his battle with cystic fibrosis as well.