“It’s not a passing fancy, Emily,” I said, turning a pen over the edge of my desk, nerves evident in the way I twirled it.
“If this is a joke, it’s in terrible taste,” Emily replied, clearly bewildered.
For weeks shed sensed something was off with me. My work had always been all-consumingconstant business trips, late nights in the office, endless stress. But a daughter? Where did she come from?
“This is serious. It’s my reality, and now it’s yours as well.”
I stood and walked slowly toward the window.
“What?” she snapped. “We’ve been married twentysix years. We have two adult sons studying abroad. We’ve always been the pictureperfect family. And now you tell me you have a fifteenyearold daughter? Have I heard you correctly?”
“You heard right, Emily. But that’s not all.”
She froze, unsure how to react.
“She’ll be moving in with us next week. There’s no discussion, no alternatives.”
“You haven’t even asked my opinionyou’re just imposing this on me. If I refuse, I can leave, that’s it?”
“Don’t dramatise it. Im not after a divorce. Things just turned out this way,” I said, my voice weary.
“If that’s all you’ve got to say, I’m out. I have to get back to work, even though my lunch break is clearly over,” Emily replied coldly.
“Leave,” I said bluntly, keeping my eyes on the window.
She walked out of the office, fighting back tears, her head spinning.
“Emily Hart, are you alright? Would you like a glass of water?” the receptionist asked, concern in her tone.
“No, thanks. Call a taxi. I can’t drive,” Emily replied curtly.
“In five minutes a cab will be waiting at the main entrance,” the young woman assured her.
“Thank you,” Emily said as she stepped into the lift, finally letting the tears flow.
She dialed a number.
“Sarah, I wont be coming into the office today. Cancel all my meetings. Do whatever needs doing.”
Twenty minutes later she stood outside her motherinlaws house in Oxford.
“Helen, did you know Daniel has a daughter with another woman?” she asked, voice sharp.
The older woman sighed and nodded.
“Yes, I do. I met the girl when she was eleven. Remember my heart attack? Daniel was terrified and decided I should know, for my granddaughters sake.”
“You already call her your granddaughter? How charming,” Emily sneered.
“And what do you suggest? Turning her away?” Helen replied calmly. “If Id known fifteen years ago, Id have done everything to stop it. But this girl exists, and Daniels blood runs through her veins.”
Emily stared at her motherinlaw, hurt raw in her eyes.
“Why didnt you tell me?”
“To spare you the pain youre feeling now,” Helen said softly.
Emily broke down, clinging to Helen.
“Itll be alright, love. Youre strong.”
“I owe nothing to anyone!” Emily shouted suddenly. “He built another life, and now Im supposed to forgive and accept it?”
“You need to talk to your husband, get the full story,” Helen advised.
“For now, I cant even look at him.”
A week slipped by. They stopped speaking. One afternoon Daniel brought the girl home.
“Come in, love, this is where youll be staying from now on. And this is Emily Hart, your second mum,” he introduced.
Emily clenched her fists but forced a smile.
“Pleasure to meet you.”
The girl looked at Emily with striking blue eyesa perfect match for Daniels.
“Me too. I hope we can become friends.”
Grace was polite and bright. Within weeks Emily got used to her, though she remained chilly toward Daniel.
A few days later Emily filed for divorce. Helen stood by her.
“I would have done the same,” Helen admitted.
Grace suffered greatly. Emily decided to speak with her.
“Grace, please, lets talk.”
The girl sobbed.
“Mum, dont go. I love you.”
Emily held her tightly.
“And I love you, darling.”
The next morning Emily entered Graces bedroom.
“Get up. Were having breakfast and then were going out.”
“Where to?”
“Its a surprise.”
Twenty minutes later they were walking down the high street.
“Where are we?” Grace asked.
Emily stopped and smiled.
“Were going to see your mother. Well buy flowers and thank her for you.”
Grace threw her arms around Emily, clinging to her as they continued down the road.
