Mum, imagine thisDads new wife is ill, and they say its something serious.
Let me tell you a story from ten years ago. My husband and I raised two daughters, whove since gone off to university. Id been looking forward to this time in life, thinking he and I would start afresh. But he made a different choicehe betrayed me with his secretary.
Im sorry, I never meant to hurt you, he said, but I love her.
That evening, he packed his things and left for a woman half his age. Our daughters were furious with him and cut off all contact. It was unbearable, especially when the younger one tried to mend things between us. I wish I could erase that year from memory. Time didnt heal the woundsI just learned to live with them. I threw myself into my hobbies, growing rare plants and selling them. It kept me from sinking into despair.
Eventually, the girls reconciled with their father and would sometimes tell me about his new life. He was happy with that woman, and later, she gave him a son.
Mum, imagineshes ill. They say its serious.
Girls, stop talking about them. I dont like it, Id say, because deep down, I still loved my husband. The thought of him with another woman darkened my mood. So many years had passed, yet I still saw him as mine.
One Saturday morning, I woke to a figure standing over me. I thought it was a dreamuntil I heard his trembling voice. Im sorryI know its early. But I dont know what to do with the boy. He looked older, his hair streaked with grey, and behind him stood a small child. Their son.
My wife passed last night, he continued. Ive a funeral to arrange, the girls are workingI just cant take him. Hes too young.
The boy was barely school-aged. Dazed, I looked at him, and he spoke at once: Are you my auntie?
No, I snapped, ready to shut the door.
Mum said we had no one.
I never even knew your mother.
But he was so sweet, and I realised none of this was his fault. I decided to help my ex.
Do you like porridge? Come to the kitchenyoull have breakfast, and then your dad will fetch you.
I made coffee for myself and porridge for the boy. Watching him, I saw my own daughters in his face. We spent the morning watching cartoons and reading their old storybooks. He was gentle and clever.
From then on, my ex began bringing his son over. We became closesince my daughters arent thinking of children yet, the boy felt like the grandchild Id never had.
Two years have passed since his wifes death, and recently, he asked if we might live together again. Part of me wants that more than anythingI can picture the family we mightve been. But the hurt lingers. I dont know if I can trust him.
If we try and fail, itll only hurt the boy. So Im torn. I love them both, but the fear of being broken again wont leave me.
Sometimes, the heart takes longer to heal than wed likebut holding onto pain only keeps us from the love still within reach.
