Emily was setting the table for dinner, expecting her husband Thomas to return within the hour. Their ten-year-old daughter Charlotte was still at her ballet class. Soon, shed burst through the door, toss her bag aside, and chatter about her friends, her progress, her instructor Emily smiled to herself. Listening to her daughters stories was always a joy.
Then the doorbell rang. Too early for Thomashe had his keys. Charlotte must have forgotten hers again. Emily opened the door, but instead of her daughter, a young woman stood there.
I wont waste your time, the stranger said coldly. Im your husbands mistress. Weve been seeing each other for years. Yes, all this time. Dont look so shockedspare me the theatrics.
Years how many? Emilys voice wavered.
Three. And it suited me just fine. Far easier to live alone and have a man who comes and goes. No financial burdens, no domestic responsibilities. I didnt cook, didnt clean, didnt do his laundry. And I dont intend to start now.
Then why are you here?
Because Im pregnant. An accident, but too late to change it.
Emilys breath caught. She remembered the struggle to conceiveher body had been ready, but Thomas had complications. Theyd turned to IVF. The first attempt failed, but the second brought Charlotte. A miracle, theyd thought. And now this.
You think nothing will change? Emily snapped. Youll keep your visiting lover, and hell just pop in to play father?
No. Itll be my visiting lover and visiting child.
And how exactly does that work? He raises the baby, then swings by so it can see its mother?
Precisely. I never wanted a childthis was a mistake.
Thomas told me he couldnt father children.
Well, apparently he can. I need to see the conditions my child will grow up in. Its only fair.
Fair? Emily scoffed. Charlotte is yours by blood, and Thomas helped raise her, even if hes not her father. Now hell have his own child, and you expect me to do the parenting?
Miss I dont even know your name. Your man doesnt live here anymore. Collect his things and go. The rest doesnt concern me.
Emily moved to shut the door but froze. Charlotte stood behind her, just home from ballet, eyes wide.
Mum what was that? What baby? And why isnt Dad really my dad?
You heard everything. Emilys voice was hollow. Then its time you knew the truth.
Im not a child, Mum. Im almost eleven. I can handle it.
So Emily explainedthe IVF, the struggle, the love theyd poured into Charlotte.
Im still your daughter, but Dads not my real father and now hes having another baby? With her? Charlottes voice trembled. And you wont be its mum. I wont be its sister. Right?
Yes youre right. Emily sighed. And one more thing I dont want to live with him anymore.
Charlotte squared her shoulders. Ill help you, Mum. Dont worry. Im grown now. Let him go. I love you, but that woman She can have him.
Thomas arrived right on schedule.
Whats going on? He frowned. No welcome, no hug?
Normally, Charlotte would rush to greet him. Tonight, silence. She was locked in her room.
Emily, wheres Charlotte? Late at ballet? Or ill?
Your mistress came by. Shes pregnant. With your child. Care to explain?
Emily, listenits my baby. I cant abandon it.
And do you know what shes proposing?
I do. She didnt want this, but We have Charlotte. Now therell be another. My child. Itll live with me.
Yours? Emilys laugh was bitter. Remember your diagnosis?
Exceptions happen!
Fantastic. Go live with the mother of your exception. Leave now. You can collect your things later.
No, Emily! You cant do this! They dont want me therenot like this.
No one wants you here either. Go.
What about Charlotte? Im her fatherlegally, if not biologically. I raised her! Whats wrong with my real child living with us? Its fair!
Fair? Your mistress already lectured me on fairness. Prove its yours first. Then well talk. Goodbye.
Emily divorced him. Thomas had nowhere to gothe house was in her parents name. Theyd built it years ago but never transferred the deed.
The mistress had preferred a part-time lover. A full-time father and a baby? She hadnt signed up for sleepless nights, nappies, or illnesses.
After the birth, she sued for child supportand lost. Thomass diagnosis hadnt changed. Paternity tests confirmed the child wasnt his.
Legally, he had one daughter. But Charlotte refused to speak to him. He paid support, begged for reconciliation, but Emily wanted nothing to do with him.
Turns out, sitting on two chairs with one backside isnt as easy as it seems.
What would you do in their place? Share your thoughts below.
