Lucy no longer feels resentment, just bewilderment.
It all started the moment little Lucy first heard the word divorce. Of course, she didnt fully grasp its meaning at the time, but her gut told her it wasnt good. Lucys family had been a cosy trioher, Mum, and Dadand for the longest time, it seemed nothing could shatter their small world of happiness.
Life had been simple and predictable. Every morning began the same way: Mums gentle voice calling her down for breakfast, Dad brewing coffee while half-watching the telly. Evenings were for films or board gamesthose nights became Lucys brightest childhood memories.
Then, one evening, everything changed. Mum sat at the kitchen table, nervously twisting a napkin in her hands. When Dad walked in, his face was grim. An invisible wall rose between them, the air thick with tension.
We need to talk, he said solemnly.
Lucy sat in the corner, her tiny heart pounding. The look exchanged between her parents was enough to make her stomach twist. Mum nodded silently, shoulders tense, and just like that, the shouting began.
Hours of arguments, tears, and raised voices later, Lucy burrowed under her duvet, hands clamped over her ears. But nothing could block out Mums sobsraw, desperate sounds that cut deeper than any yell.
By morning, Dad was gone, suitcase in hand. Lucy watched him leave, blinking back tears. Her little world had shattered overnight.
The days that followed were a blur of quiet misery. Lucy replayed every happy memory, each one now bittersweet. Why had he left? Hed always said he loved her. What had changed?
Growing up, Lucy had adored her dadhero, protector, best mate. His voice, his laugh, the way hed read her bedtime storiesall of it was part of her.
Then came the worst blow. One evening, when Lucy was ten, Dad turned up unannounced, looking exhausted.
You should know the truth, he murmured. Im not your real father.
The words hit like a bomb. The world dimmed, sounds muffled, her chest tight as if stabbed. For the first time, Lucy felt truly betrayed.
Years passed, but the wound never fully healed. She threw herself into school, friends, sportsanything to distract herself. But holidays were torture, listening to mates gush about family outings while she forced a smile.
Dad had moved onremarried a woman with a daughter around Lucys age. Their new life looked perfect: a posh house, fancy holidays, lavish gifts. The girl had everything Lucy had once dreamed of.
One moment stuck with her. Dad invited Lucy to his stepdaughters birthday party.
Walking there, Lucys stomach churned. She was stepping into the life shed been cut fromthe one where this other girl, Emily, was the chosen daughter.
Outside the door, Lucy hesitated. Should she even be here? But before doubt won, she rang the bell.
A tall woman answered. Come in, she said briskly.
The flat smelled of cake and laughter. Kids dashed about, music played, and there, in the middle of it all, was Emilygrinning in a frilly blue dress.
Their eyes met. Silence. Then Emily strode over, hand outstretched.
Hi, Im Emily, she said, polite but distant.
Lucy flushed, shaking her hand. I know.
Awkwardness hung thick. Emily broke it first.
Did you bring a present?
Lucys stomach dropped. She fumbled for the hastily bought pencil setsuddenly cheap and inadequate.
Here, she mumbled.
Emily unwrapped it, barely glancing before setting it aside. Thanks.
Humiliation burned Lucys cheeks. Shed hoped for warmth, not this dismissal.
The party dragged. Dad laughed with Emily, held her hand, told jokesthe same ones hed once saved for Lucy. Each moment twisted the knife deeper.
By the time it ended, Lucy was numb. Emily waved her off like an obligation. Dad lingered, awkward.
Sorry about today, he muttered. Maybe we can meet up properly?
Lucy shook her head.
At home, she criedugly, angry tears. That party killed any hope of reconciliation. Dad belonged to Emily now, to a life that had no room for her.
Years later, Lucys built her own familya loving husband, kids, a stepdad who adores them. Only one persons missing: Dad. Hes still out there, doting on Emily, spoiling her kids, buying her a house.
Lucy doesnt resent him anymore. Shes just baffled. How do you walk away from a child you once loved so easily?
