Man says his best friend is hiding at his place. But he refuses to tell his wife and crying daughter where he is: ‘I don’t think it’s my business’

A man in his late 20s is currently housing his best friend, who is in his early 30s, after a paternity test reportedly revealed that the friend’s seven-year-old daughter is not biologically his. The friend moved into the man’s home last month after breaking down in tears and sharing the results of the paternity test, according to a post the man shared on Reddit in r/TwoHotTakes.

According to the poster, while he is providing the man a place to stay and support, the wife apparently remains unaware of her husband’s location. She has reportedly admitted to the infidelity and confirmed that a divorce is moving forward.

The situation has reportedly become difficult for the child since the paternity test. The wife has been searching for her husband, noting that their daughter is crying and panicking as she does not understand why her father left. The man visited the home once to meet with the wife and child, and he described watching the daughter cry as difficult.

He won’t say where his friend supposedly is, even with the little girl in tears

Despite this, the friend has reportedly decided that he wants no further contact with the child. He stated that he will pay child support if the law requires it. However, he apparently has no plans to communicate with or be involved in her life again.

According to the poster, he reportedly decided to remain neutral, adding “I don’t think it’s my business,” as he feels the family conflict is not his to solve. However, he claims to have acknowledged that the situation is difficult for the daughter, especially given that the two friends were close before the paternity test. However, he reportedly believes his primary duty is to stand by his friend during a painful time.

He intends to keep supporting his friend through the divorce and does not plan to reveal his friend’s location to his friend’s wife. He also appears unwilling to change his living arrangement or intervene in the communication between the parents, as he is not interested in playing a part in their legal or personal disputes. 

The belief that 10% to 30% of children are fathered by someone else has circulated for years. However, DNA studies across a broad range of societies suggest the real rate is likely between 1% and 3%, as reported by The Conversation. Even at that rate, it could still add up to millions of children worldwide. 

One commenter argued that both the friend and the girl likely need professional help to process the paternity test results and the sudden separation. “Your friend needs therapy, and so does the little girl. They are both victims,” the commenter wrote. Another suggested that pushing the father toward contact before he is ready might cause more harm than good.

A third commenter suggested the mother should sit the girl down and tell her that her father learned something painful he didn’t know. That approach could explain his absence in a way the child might understand, without revealing the full weight of the betrayal to a seven-year-old.