Repeat what you just said?
Emma stood in the middle of the living room, fingers gripping the back of an armchair. She stared unblinkingly at James, the man she had lived with for nearly twenty years. The man she thought she knew as well as herself. Theyd never had childrenfirst it was not the right time, then we should wait, and eventually, it just never happened. Theyd been through it all together: the mortgage, home renovations, tough times, and the rare holiday. Their marriage had been steady and reliable, without fiery passion but full of warmth and familiar closeness.
James sighed heavily. He winced, as if from a toothache, then looked at Emma guiltily and repeated himself slowly, like he was explaining something complicated.
A few years ago, I had a fling, James muttered, eyes fixed on the carpet. It was stupid, a mistake, just a moment of weakness. We were going through a rough patch, remember? I messed up, I admit it and now shes back.
Emma stayed silent, trying to understand where this was going. Inside, her stomach twisted into a knot, dread creeping up her spine.
She found me and told me I have a daughter, James continued, still not meeting her eyes. Shes three.
The world tilted beneath Emma. Just like that, in a single moment, her life and marriage were falling apart.
Emma, I swear to you, James took a step closer, reaching out. I dont feel anything for that woman. I love only you, and Ill stay with you. Understand? Ill support the child financiallybecause children arent to blame for adult mistakesbut I dont need them. I need only you.
Emma sank into the armchair, wrapping her arms around herself. Hot tears streaked down her cheeks, but she barely noticed. James knelt beside her, hesitantly touching her shoulder.
We can start over, Emma, he whispered, his voice pleading like a childs. It was a mistake, a moment of weakness. Shes not a threat to us. I promise. Forgive me, love
It took Emma months to forgive him. Her love had been stronger than the pain and humiliation. She truly believed they could fix thingsthat twenty years of marriage couldnt collapse over one stupid mistake. James was so grateful, so tender, that Emma almost convinced herself the worst was behind them.
But time proved her wrong. James started disappearing more oftenfirst to drop off gifts for his daughter, then to attend nursery events. Soon, he spoke about the little girl with a smile Emma hadnt seen in years. Then he began mentioning the mother, his voice softening each time.
Sophies doing wellshes a great mum, James said over dinner, cutting into his steak. And little Lily looks just like me. Same eyes, same dimples, same stubborn streak.
Emma tried to ignore how her husband was changinghow his eyes lit up at the mention of his daughter and her mother. But the pain grew sharper by the day. James worked late more often, vanished on weekends, cancelled their rare date nights. Emma realised she was fading from his life, replaced by the woman whod given him a child.
The breaking point came the evening they were supposed to go to the theatre. A rare event Emma had been looking forward to for weeks. Shed bought a new navy-blue dress, styled her hair. A fragile hope flickered in her chestmaybe things could still mend.
But James called an hour before they were meant to leave. And Emma knewthe night was over before it began.
Lilys running a feverforty degrees, James said quickly, nerves fraying his voice. Sophies panicking, the doctor wont be here for two hours. I cant not go. You understand, dont you?
James didnt come back until morning. Hed slept in that other flat, under the same roof as that woman and their daughter. Emma couldnt pretend anymorecouldnt act like she didnt see what was happening.
You only think about them now! she shouted, hands shaking. About her, about your daughter, about 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 started defending himself, but the guilt in his voice was gone. Only exhaustion remained, irritation at having to explain the obvious.
Emma, come on shes my child. My daughter. I cant just ignore her. I cant not be part of her life.
That was when Emma knewhis mistake had stopped being one long ago. Sophie and Lily were part of James life now, maybe the most important part. And Emma? She had become a shadow, a 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 brow, silent. The longer the pause stretched, the louder it became.
I meant it then, he finally admitted. But Ive fallen in love with Lily. Shes clever, funny and Ive fallen for So He stopped abruptly.
And? Emma pressed, though she already knew. Finish it, James.
And Sophie too, he murmured. Ive realised what a real family is. Its where the child is. Where the future is.
His words crashed over Emma like an icy wave. James hadnt just fallen for the child. Hed fallen for the mother, too. This wasnt just a fling or financial support. James had a second family now. And that was the end.
Youre sleeping with her. It wasnt a question.
James nodded, eyes down. No point pretending anymore.
And what am I? Not family? Emma stood, steel in her voice. Twenty years of marriagedoes that mean nothing?
Emma, when theres a child, its different, James argued. You wouldnt understand!
Wouldnt I? Emma snapped, pain sharpening her words. Every time I brought up children, you had an excusecareer, money, the flat, timing. Now suddenly our family isnt enough?
James looked at her helplessly.
Yes, I was wrong then. But now I have a daughter. And you need to accept that. We can work something out. We dont have to
Dont have to what? Emma laughed bitterly. Divorce? What will your precious Sophie say? Then again, why would she care? She slept with a married manclearly shame wasnt an issue!
Dont talk about Sophie like that, James cut in sharply. Shes a good woman. A wonderful mother.
And Im a bad wife? Fine. Let it be that way.
Emma was done pretending. She turned and marched to the bedroom, yanking open drawers, flinging clothes into a suitcase. James followed, watching in confusion.
Emma, lets talk. Dont do anything rash. Maybe we can compromise.
Rash? She didnt look up. Ive put up with your double life for three years. Three years of watching you become a stranger. Ive been patient long enough. I wont humiliate myself anymore while you two
Where will you go? James asked, lost. The flats in both our names. You cant just leave.
Ill take halfthe flat, the savings, everything the law entitles me to, Emma said flatly, snapping the suitcase shut. Twenty years counts for something. Then you can run off to your new family and live happily ever after. But I wont lie to myself anymore.
James reached for her arm, but Emma jerked away as if burned.
I never meant for this to happen, he said weakly. It just did. I didnt plan to fall in love.
Nothing just happens, Emma shot back, lifting the suitcase. You chose your daughter and your mistress. Now live with it.
A month later, when the divorce papers were signed, Emma moved into a small two-bedroom flat across town. The place was bright but empty. The first few days passed in eerie silence. She wandered from room to room, unused to being alone.
She had to relearn how to live by herselfbuying groceries for one, cooking small portions, sleeping in an empty bed.
At the park, she watched mothers with prams and children on swings. Because of James, shed lost her chance to have a child of her own.
But she wasnt giving up. On her phone, tabs for adoption agencies stayed open. Somewhere out there was a child waiting for herone she could pour all her unused love into. She believed it would happen. And one day, shed have a real family again. Honest and whole.
