«It wasn’t a fleeting adventure, Victoria, I have been leading a double life for seventeen years,» David muttered, nervously twirling a pen on his desk.
«If this is a joke, it’s in very poor taste,» Victoria replied, bewildered.
For weeks she had felt something was amiss with her husband. David had always been consumed by his workfrequent business trips, long evenings in the boardroom, relentless stress. But a daughter? Where did she come from?
«It’s serious. It’s my reality. And now, it’s ours as well.»
He rose and walked slowly toward the window.
«What? We’ve been married twentysix years. We have two wonderful grown sons studying abroad. We’ve always been the perfect family. And now you tell me you have a fifteenyearold daughter? Have I heard correctly?»
«You’ve heard correctly, Victoria. But that’s not all.»
She froze, unsure how to react.
«She will live with us starting next week. There’s no discussion. No other options.»
«You don’t even ask my opinionyou simply impose this on me. If I disagree, I can leave, is that it?»
«Don’t dramatise. I don’t want a divorce. Things just happened that way,» David said wearily.
«If that’s all you’ve got to say, I’m leaving. I have to get back to work, even though my lunch break is over,» Victoria answered coldly.
«Leave,» David replied curtly, never taking his eyes off the window.
She exited the office, emotions held tight, her head spinning.
«Victoria Hart, are you all right? Would you like a glass of water?» the receptionist asked, concerned.
«No, thank you. Call a cab, I can’t drive,» she snapped.
«In five minutes a car will be waiting at the main entrance, for about ten pounds,» the young woman informed her.
«Thank you,» Victoria said as she stepped into the lift, finally letting her tears flow.
She dialed a number.
«Margaret, I won’t be at the office today. Cancel all my appointments. Do what needs to be done.»
Twenty minutes later she stood before her motherinlaw’s cottage.
«Claire, did you know David has a daughter with another woman?» she asked sharply.
The older woman sighed and nodded.
«Yes, I know. I met the girl when she was eleven. Remember my heart attack? David was terrified and insisted I be told for my granddaughter.»
«You already call her your granddaughter? Congratulations!» Victoria retorted sarcastically.
«And what do you suggest? Cast the child aside?» her motherinlaw replied calmly. «If I’d known fifteen years ago, I would have done everything to stop it. But the girl exists, and David’s blood runs in her veins.»
Victoria looked at Claire with pain.
«Why didn’t you tell me?»
«To spare you the hurt you feel now,» Claire answered softly.
Victoria broke into sobs and clutched her.
«It’ll be all right, love. You’re strong.»
«I owe nothing to anyone!» Victoria suddenly cried. «He’s built another life and now I must forgive and accept it?»
«You must speak to your husband and learn the whole story,» her motherinlaw advised.
«For now, I can’t even look at him.»
A week passed. They hardly spoke. One day David brought the young girl home.
«Come in, dear, this is where you’ll be staying from now on. And this is Victoria Hart, your second mum.»
Victoria tightened her fists, but forced a smile.
«Delighted to meet you.»
The girl looked at her with blue eyesan exact copy of David’s.
«Me too. I hope we become friends.»
Emily was polite and clever. Within weeks Victoria grew used to her, though she remained cold toward David.
A few days later Victoria filed for divorce. Her motherinlaw stood by her.
«I would have done the same,» Claire admitted.
Emily suffered greatly. Victoria decided to speak to her.
«Emily, please, let’s talk.»
The girl began to sob.
«Mum, don’t go. I love you.»
Victoria held her tightly.
«And I love you, my dear.»
The next morning Victoria entered Emily’s bedroom.
«Get up. We’ll have breakfast and then go out.»
«Where to?»
«It’s a surprise.»
Twenty minutes later they were strolling down the high street.
«Where are we?»
Victoria stopped and smiled.
«We’re going to see your mother. We’ll buy her flowers and thank her for you.»
Emily hugged her close.
Now, as I look back, the memory of that tangled summer still haunts me, a reminder of how secrets can reshape a life once thought solid.
