«Daddy lives in another house too,» said the boy, and I knew his «business trips» were a lie.
«I wont wear this dressnot ever!» Victoria stamped her foot, arms folded tight. «It itches, and the collars horrible!»
«But darling, we bought it specially for Grandmas birthday,» Anna said, forcing calm into her voice while frustration simmered beneath. «Shell be upset if you turn up in jeans.»
«Let her be upset! Im tenI decide what I wear!»
Anna closed her eyes and counted to five. Victorias tantrum was the last thing she needed. The day had already been relentlesswork chaos, last-minute shopping, baking the celebration cake for her mother-in-law. And as usual, Michael was «away on business» when she needed him most.
«Vicky, listen» she began, but six-year-old Charlie burst in, clutching a toy car and a crumpled drawing.
«Mum, look what I made!» He thrust the paper at her. «Its our family!»
Anna glanced at the scribblesherself smiling wide, Victoria with her pigtails, little Charlie, and Michael, drawn twice, on opposite sides of the page.
«Lovely, sweetheart,» she murmured. «But whys Daddy there twice?»
«Hes not,» Charlie said, as if stating the obvious. «Thats Daddy here, and Daddy in the other house where he lives when hes not with us.»
A cold shiver ran down Annas spine. She studied the drawing againtwo figures of Michael, one beside them, the other by a boxy house at the edge.
«What other house, Charlie?» she asked carefully.
«The one with flowers in the window and the cat,» he shrugged. «He took me there when you were at work. But its a secretDaddy said not to tell.»
Victoria froze, her dress protest forgotten. «Charlie, stop lying! Daddys away for work, not in some other house!»
«Im not lying!» He pouted. «We watched cartoons and had pizza. And Auntie Lauren made us hot chocolate.»
«Auntie who?» Annas vision swayed slightly.
«Daddys friend. She lives there.» Charlie was already bored, rolling his car along the floor. «Can I watch telly now?»
Anna nodded, her voice stuck. Victoria stared between her brother and mother, wide-eyed.
«Mum, hes just confused,» she whispered. «Dad wouldnt»
«Go to your room, Vicky,» Anna cut in softly. «Wear whatever you like.»
Alone, Anna sank onto the sofa, heart pounding. Michael, her Michaelhis biweekly «business trips,» the souvenirs from far-off citiesall lies?
Six months ago, suspicion first flickered. More late nights, sudden trips. Shed once found a café receipt dated when he was supposedly in Manchester. Hed brushed it offreturned early, didnt want to disturb them. Shed believed him. Or pretended to.
She marched to the filing cabinet. Bills, usually Michaels domain. Her fingers trembled as she flipped throughuntil an unfamiliar one caught her eye. A phone and internet bill, for an address in Camden. Under Michaels name.
Her stomach dropped. Proof. A childs innocent honesty, confirmed.
Her phone buzzed. A message from Michael: «Miss you all. Counting the days. Love you.»
Anna stared. Confront him now? Wait?
«All fine,» she typed back, numb.
The next two days blurred. She functioned mechanicallywork, kids, choresbut her mind churned. Charlie stayed silent about the «other house»; Victoria watched her with wary eyes.
She skipped the family dinner at her mother-in-laws, pleading a migraine. Did *she* know about her sons double life?
On the third evening, the lock turned. Michael strode in, roses in hand. «Home!» he cheered, leaning in for a kiss. Anna recoiled.
«Charlie drew a picture,» she said flatly. «You. In two houses.»
Michaels smile faltered. «Kids imagine things»
«Stop.» Her voice cracked. «I found the bills. The Camden flat. And Charlie mentioned Lauren. And the cat. Too many details for imagination, dont you think?»
Michael set the flowers down. His face cycled through denial, defeat.
«Anna, I can explain»
«Explain what? That your business trips were weekends with another woman? That you took our son *there*?»
«It wasnt» He ran a hand through his hair. «It started as an affair. Then Lauren got pregnant. Sophies four now.»
Four years. While Anna raised their children, cooked his meals, hed had another family.
«Why stay?» she whispered.
«I couldnt choose,» he admitted. «I love you all»
«Dont.» She stood. «Pack a bag. Go live your real life.»
He flinched. «Fifteen years»
«You ended them. Not me.»
Silence. Then, hoarsely: «Can I say goodbye to the kids?»
«Theyre asleep. Come tomorrow. And tell them the truth.»
As he left, she slid to the floor, finally letting tears fall. Pain, yesbut beneath it, relief. No more lies.
Morning came with Charlie clambering onto her bed. «Wheres Daddy?»
«Hell visit today,» Anna said, holding him close. Victoria hovered in the doorway.
«Hes gone for good?»
«Hell always be your dad. But he has… another family now.»
Victorias jaw tightened. «I knew. I saw a photo on his phonea lady with a little girl. He said it was his cousin.»
Annas heart ached. Even Victoria had carried the weight of his secrets.
«Come here,» she murmured, pulling them both under the blankets. «Were skipping school today. Pancakes and films.»
«Mum… can we manage without him?» Victoria asked quietly.
«We will,» Anna kissed her head. «Because were a real family. No more secrets.»
Charlie babbled about a dream where he rode a dragon. Life, altered but still theirs, went on.
And for the first time in years, Anna breathed freely. The road ahead would be hardbut it would be honest.
