«Repeat what you just said?»
Emily stood in the middle of the lounge, her fingers gripping the back of an armchair. She stared at James, unblinking, at the man she had spent nearly twenty years with. The man she thought she knew as well as herself. They had no childrenfirst it was «not the right time,» then «we should wait,» until finally, it just never happened. They had been through it all together: the mortgage, renovations, tough times, and rare holidays. Their marriage had seemed steady, reliableno grand passions, but warmth and familiar closeness.
James sighed heavily. His face twisted as if struck by a sudden ache, guilt flashing in his eyes before he spoke again, slow and deliberate, like explaining something painfully complex.
«A few years ago, I had an affair,» he muttered, refusing to meet her gaze, his focus fixed on the carpet pattern. «A stupid mistake, a moment of weakness. We were going through a rough patch, remember? I messed up, Em… and now shes back.»
Emily stayed silent, her insides coiling into a tight knot, dread creeping in.
«She found me,» James continued, still not looking up. «Told me I have a daughter. Shes three.»
The world tilted beneath Emilys feet. In that instant, her life, her marriage, shattered into pieces.
«Em, I swear» James stepped toward her, hands outstretched. «I feel nothing for that woman. I love only you, and Im staying with you. Understand? Ill support the child financiallyshe shouldnt suffer for our mistakes. But I dont need them. I need you.»
Emily sank into the chair, wrapping her arms around herself. Hot tears streaked down her cheeks, unnoticed. James knelt beside her, tentatively touching her shoulder.
«We can start over, Em,» he whispered, his voice pleading, almost childlike. «It was a mistake, a fling. She isnt a threat to us. I promise. Forgive me, love…»
It took Emily months to forgive him. Her love was stronger than the humiliation, the pain. She truly believed they could fix thisthat twenty years of marriage wouldnt collapse over one reckless error. James was so grateful, so tender, she almost convinced herself the worst was behind them.
But time proved her wrong.
James vanished more often»errands» to buy gifts for his daughter, «school events I cant miss.» Soon, he spoke of the little girl with a smile Emily hadnt seen in years. Then came mentions of the motherfondness creeping into his voice.
«Sophies doing well, shes a great mum,» James said over dinner, cutting into his steak. «And little Charlotteshes just like me. My eyes, my dimples, even my stubborn streak.»
Emily tried to ignore the change in him, the way his face lit up at their names. But the pain sharpened with every passing day. James worked late now, disappeared on weekends, cancelled their rare evenings together. She was fading from his life, replaced by the woman who had given him the child she never could.
The breaking point came the night they were meant to go to the theatrea rare date Emily had waited a month for. Shed bought a new navy dress, styled her hair, hope flickering in her chest.
Then James called an hour before they were due to leave. She knew before he spokethe night was over.
«Charlottes running a fever,» he said, rushed, tense. «Sophies panicking, the doctor wont get there for hours. I have to go. You understand, dont you?»
He didnt return until morning. Hed slept under her roofwith Sophie, with their daughter. Emily couldnt pretend any longer.
«You only think about them now!» she screamed, hands shaking. «Her, your daughter, anything but me! When was the last time you asked how I was? When did we last spend a weekend together? When did you last kiss me?»
James excuses came without guiltjust exhaustion, frustration at having to explain.
«Em, shes my child. My daughter. I cant ignore her. I cant not be part of her life.»
Then Emily knew: his «mistake» wasnt one anymore. Sophie and Charlotte were his life now. She was the shadow, the relic of the past.
«What happened to your promises?» she asked quietly, sitting across from him. «You swore they meant nothing. That you loved only me. Remember?»
James rubbed his forehead, silent. The quiet stretched, louder than any words.
«I meant it at the time,» he finally admitted. «But I love Charlotte. Shes clever, funny… and I love So» He cut himself off, too late.
«And?» Emily pressed, already knowing. «Finish it, James.»
«And Sophie too,» he whispered. «I know what a real family is now. Its where theres a childwhere theres a future.»
His words crashed over her like ice. He loved them both. This wasnt just an affair or financial support. James had another family.
«Youre sleeping with her,» Emily saidnot a question, a fact.
James nodded, eyes down. No more lies.
«And what am I?» She stood, steel in her voice. «Twenty yearsis that not family?»
«Em, with a child, its different,» he defended. «You wouldnt understand!»
«Wouldnt I?» Her voice broke. «Every time I wanted children, you had excuses: careers, money, timing. Now our marriage isnt enough?»
James looked at her, pleading.
«I was wrong then. But I have a daughter now. You need to accept that. We can work something out. We dont have to»
«Divorce?» Emily laughed, hollow. «What would your Sophie say? Oh waitshe slept with a married man. Shame clearly isnt her strong suit!»
«Dont talk about her like that,» James snapped. «Shes a good woman. A brilliant mother.»
«And Im a bad wife? Fine. Then its settled.»
She turned, storming to the bedroom. James followed, helpless, as she threw clothes into a suitcase.
«Em, talk to me. Dont do this. We can compromise.»
«Compromise?» She didnt look up. «Ive endured three years of your double life. Watched you become a stranger. Ive tolerated enough.»
«Where will you go?» he asked, lost. «The house is half yoursyou cant just leave.»
«Ill take my halfof the house, the savings,» she said, snapping the suitcase shut. «Twenty years counts for something. Then youre free to play happy families.»
He reached for her, but she jerked away as if burned.
«I never meant for this to happen. I didnt plan to fall in love.»
«Nothing just happens,» she said, lifting the case. «You chose them. Now live with it.»
A month later, when the divorce papers were signed, Emily moved into a small flat across town. The rooms were bright, empty. The silence was deafening. She wandered, unused to being alonecooking for one, sleeping in a cold bed.
In the park, she watched mothers with prams, children laughing. James had stolen her chance at motherhood.
But she wouldnt give up. Her phone browser was filled with adoption sites. Somewhere, a child waitedone shed love fiercely, honestly. Shed have a real family again. She believed it. And this time, it would be true.
