I cant right now. The schedules strict. Ill be home soon.
Mum says Dads in hospital, but hes actually staying at Aunt Sues, says eightyearold Milly, stirring her porridge with a spoon.
Grandma Evelyn barely lets a teacup slip from her hands. Shes arrived for the weekend at her daughters house to help out while her soninlaw supposedly lies in hospital with appendicitis.
What did you just say, love? Evelyn asks, trying to keep her voice calm.
Whats wrong with what I said? Milly replies, surprised. Dad lives with Aunt Sue. Mum showed me their photos on the phone; theyre cooking and laughing together.
Evelyn feels her heart skip a beat. In that instant her daughter, Olivia, steps out of the bathroom in a robe, her hair still damp.
Mum, why do you look so pale? Olivia asks, seeing her mothers face.
Olivia, we need to talk, Evelyn says quietly, gesturing toward the childrens room.
Milly, go watch a cartoon, Olivia tells her daughter.
I havent finished my porridge!
Finish it later. Come on, sunshine.
When Milly darts away, Evelyn turns slowly back to Olivia.
Explain whats happening.
Olivia sits opposite her, avoiding Evelyns eyes.
About what?
About the fact that David isnt in hospital; hes staying with some Aunt Sue! And you know it. You even cover his betrayal.
Olivia stays silent, tugging at the edge of her robe.
Olivia, Im your mother. Ive known you for twentyeight years. When you lie, your left eye twitches. Its doing that right now.
Mum, you dont understand
Then explain! Why does my daughter protect a cheating husband? Why do you lie to me and to your own child?
Olivia breaks down.
Because Im scared of losing him!
Evelyn pulls Olivia into a hug, smoothing her hair. Their familys history is anything but simple.
Olivia and David met at university. She studied English literature; he was in law. Both came from modest backgrounds and lived in halls of residence. Olivia was always the quiet, homebound type, never turning heads at school. David, on the other hand, was the campus heartthrobtall, goodlooking, captain of the debating team. When he started noticing Olivia, their friends could hardly believe it.
Olivia, what sorcery did you use? the other girls teased. How did you snag that handsome lawyer?
Olivia herself could not believe it. David sent her flowers, took her to the cinema, introduced her to his friends. She kept waiting for a twist, for him to realise his mistake and find someone brighter. But there was no twist. David was genuinely in love. He adored her modesty, kindness, and the way she listened. With her, he felt protected from a world that demanded constant excellence.
After graduating they married. David got a job at a law firm, Olivia became a primaryschool teacher. A year later Milly was born. The early years are happy: David climbs the career ladder, Olivia raises Milly, and they plan to buy a flat.
Gradually things shift. David stays later at work, citing new clients and career prospects. Olivia, unaware of any trouble, feels proud of his successes.
Six months ago the first signs appear. David begins travelling for business, receives a promotion, buys a new car. Hes home less often, and when he is, he seems distant, lost in thought. When Olivia asks, he blames work stress.
David, shall we take a break? Maybe a threeperson trip to the seaside? Olivia suggests.
I cant now. Its a busy period, big cases. Ill manage.
Manage stretches into months. David almost stops sleeping over at home, always claiming business trips or latenight client calls. Olivia suspects something, but she pushes the thoughts away.
A month ago the worst happens. Walking into his study with a cup of tea, Olivia sees his phone open to a conversation with another woman. The messages are explicit; theres no doubtDavid is having an affair.
Olivia feels stunned. Her first impulse is to storm out, throw his things out, file for divorce. Then she thinks of Milly, of being a single mother without a jobshe left teaching after Milly was born, and she has no income. She decides to pretend she knows nothing.
David, whos this Samantha? she asks as calmly as possible, pointing to the name on the screen.
Oh, thats a new business partner, helping with paperwork.
I see.
And she believes him, or pretends to.
Two weeks ago David claims hes in hospital for an appendicitis operation. Olivia isnt surprised. She already knows hes renting a flat with Samantha, living like a family. Yet she keeps up the role of the unsuspecting wife.
Olivia, Evelyn says quietly, tell me everything from the start.
Olivia recounts the phone messages, the latenight business trips, the flat for Samantha. Evelyn listens, nodding only occasionally.
How long will you put up with this? Evelyn asks finally.
I dont know. Maybe hell come to his senses. Maybe its just a midlife crisis.
Hes twentynine, Olivia! What midlife crisis?
Mum, I love him! Milly cant grow up without a dad.
And a cheating dad?
She doesnt understand yet.
She just told me everything! Do you think children are stupid? Milly knows perfectly well that dad lives with another woman and mum lies about the hospital.
Olivia bursts into tears.
What should I do? I cant live without him. I have no job, no money, no home! Where do I go with Milly?
Come to me. Until you get back on your feet.
Mum, you live in a onebedroom flat on a pension. How will the three of us fit?
Well make it work. At least youll be honest!
And if he returns? If he realises what hes done?
And if he doesnt? If Samantha stays? If he files for divorce himself? What then?
Olivia remains silent, pushing the thoughts away.
Give me more time, Mum. Maybe things will settle.
Evelyn sighs. She sees her daughter isnt ready for drastic measures, but she cant stay silent any longer.
Fine. But theres a condition. Stop lying to Milly. She sees everything; your lies only hurt her.
What do I tell her? That dad left us for another woman?
Tell the truth, simply. Say dad lives elsewhere, youre sorting family matters, but dont mention the hospital or appendicitis.
That night, after Milly is in bed, the phone rings. Olivia sees Davids name on the screen.
Hello, she says, trying to sound normal.
Hi. How are things? Hows Milly?
All good. Hows your recovery? Might I visit?
No need! Doctors say Ive got a week more of rest.
In the background she hears a womans laugh and musicnot the beeping of a ward.
David, maybe we can still meet? Milly misses you.
I cant now. My regime is strict. Ill be home soon.
When?
When the doctors let me.
Olivia sits at the kitchen table, crying. Evelyn joins her.
He called?
Yes. He talked about a strict hospital regime while music played.
Olivia
I know Im failing. I just cant
What about Milly?
Shes all I think about. I want her to have a family.
A family where dad lives with a lover and mum lies? Is that a family?
The next day, after Evelyn leaves, Milly approaches her at the kitchen counter.
Mum, when will dad come back from the hospital?
Olivia looks at her daughter, whose serious face shows more understanding than Olivia expected.
Sit down, Milly. I need to explain something.
About dad not being in the hospital?
You know?
Of course. Im not little. He lives with Aunt Sue. I saw the photos on your phone. Theyre making pancakes together. You dont make pancakes in a hospital.
What do you think about that?
Milly shrugs.
He probably doesnt love us anymore. He loves Aunt Sue.
Olivia feels her chest tighten.
Sweetheart, adults sometimes make mistakes. Dads also a human, he can err.
Why did you say he was in the hospital?
Because I hoped hed realise his mistake and come back.
And if he doesnt?
I dont know, love. I dont know.
Milly is quiet, then says:
Mum, why dont we just live without dad? Just us two. That would be fine.
Olivia looks at her daughter and realises Milly has already decided for them both. Its time to stop deceiving herself.
Youre right, Milly. Lets live on our own.
Can we move in with Grandma? She said shed take us.
We can, if youre okay with a tiny flat.
Im fine. Just dont cry at night anymore, Mum.
Olivia is taken aback.
You heard me crying?
Of course. Im not deaf or blind. Mum, can we promise not to lie to each other any more?
Lets do that, Olivia agrees, hugging Milly tightly.
That evening she texts David:
We need to meet and talk. Milly knows about Aunt Sue.
He replies an hour later:
How does she know? What did you tell her?
Nothing. Kids arent deaf. Come tomorrow, well talk.
The next day David arrives, looking guilty and uneasy. Milly smiles at seeing him but stays cautious.
Dad, are you better now? she asks.
Im fine, love.
Then why did Mum say you were in the hospital? Youre living with Aunt Sue.
David freezes, not expecting such bluntness from an eightyearold.
Milly, go to your room, Olivia says. I need to talk to your father.
When Milly leaves, Olivia faces David.
So, David, what now?
Olivia, I
No explanations needed. Just tell me do you want to keep the family or not?
David stays silent.
Understood, Olivia says. Then lets sort out Millys arrangements: child support, visits, birthdays.
Its not that simple, Olivia
How could it be simple? You live with another woman. Ive been covering for you, lying to my daughter and my mother. Enough!
David looks at his wife, who has become firmer, more confident over the past weeks. She is no longer the submissive girl who would endure everything for the sake of the family.
I dont want a divorce, he says.
Then what? You expect me to keep shielding your betrayals? To keep lying to our child? To wait at home while you run a family with Samantha?
Olivia, give me time to think.
Theres no time, David! Milly needs certainty. Either you return home and we try to rebuild, or we part ways civilly.
David ponders.
I need to decide.
Olivia gives him a week.
A week later David calls, asking to meet. They meet at a café, Milly absent.
Ive decided, he says. I want to try to rebuild our family.
And Samantha?
Thats over.
David, Ill give you one chance. One. If you cheat again, its over forever. Well go to a family therapist together. No more secrets from Milly. If you have a business trip, Milly knows where and why. If you stay late, you call home.
I understand.
Olivia looks at him, uncertain whether they can succeed. Too much pain, too many lies have piled up. But she wants to try for Millys sake.
Then you can come home tomorrow. Milly will be happy.
That night Olivia tells Milly about the conversation.
He says he wants to come back home, not live with Aunt Sue anymore.
Do you believe him? Milly asks seriously.
I want to believe. And you?
I want to believe too. But if he lies again, well go to Grandmas. Agree?
Agreed, Olivia smiles, amazed at her daughters wisdom.
The next day David returns home, bringing flowers for Olivia and a new doll for Milly. They sit down to dinner together, like a real family. Milly tells her dad about school, Olivia mentions household chores.
Dad, Milly asks suddenly, will you ever live with Aunt Sue again?
No, love. Ill stay with you.
How?
I wont.
And if you do?
David looks at his daughter, then at his wife.
Then Ill be honest with you, I promise.
Good, Milly nods. And Mum, you wont say Im in the hospital anymore?
No, I wont, Olivia promises.
Then its fine. We can keep living.
Olivia knows she will never lie to herself, to Milly, or to anyone again.
Later, as Milly drifts off to sleep, she thinks about how strange adults are, making everything complicated instead of just telling the truth. But the best part is that dad is finally home, and theres no more pretending about where he really lives.
