“Forgive Me, Daughter”
Emily, Emmy, wait Ive been waiting for you all morning. They gave me your address at the childrens home Emily heard an unfamiliar mans voice before she could even step out of the building.
Who are you? she asked, glancing instinctively at her watch.
Im your your father, Emmy the man said hesitantly, offering a weak smile.
Youre mistaken. I dont have a father. Never have. Emily replied coldly before turning away and hurrying toward her car parked nearby. Outwardly, she remained composed, but inside, her heart pounded wildly, her cheeks burning as if radiating heat.
She slid into the drivers seat, fastened her seatbelt, and turned the ignition key.
Emmy, wait I just wanted to talk, I wanted
The man rushed toward the car, and for a moment, Emily thought he reached out. But she pulled away, disappearing down the road within seconds.
In the rearview mirror, she saw him standing motionless on the pavement, confusion and distress etched on his face as he watched her car vanish.
Later, at the petrol station, she grabbed a coffee and dialed her husband.
Tom, there was a madman outside the flat When you take Henry out, keep an eye on him, all right? Emily tried to sound calm, but her voice trembled.
What madman? Tom asked, half-amused.
How should I know? Just some bloke!
Maybe an admirer? he teased.
This isnt funny. Ive left now.
Have a good day, love. Ill watch Henry like a hawk.
Right
Emily hung up and hurried to work, her heart unsettled all day.
She had never known a father. Logically, of course, one existed, but Emily had no memory of him. Shed grown up in an orphanage, her mother just a blurscattered fragments of early childhood, nothing more.
Later, the matrons told her shed been placed there after her mothers death. The woman had passed young, struck down by illness. No relatives had come forward to take the little girl, so shed been sent first to a reception center, then the orphanage.
Her childhood hadnt been happywhat could one expect? But shed been luckier than most. The home was decent, the staff kind. Most children were abandoned or taken from unfit parents. Few had lost their mothers; Emily was one of them.
In a way, shed always knownher mother hadnt chosen to leave her. Yet she envied the others. At least they could hope. Maybe one day, their mothers would return for them. Emily had no one to wait for. Her mother was gone, and the staff knew nothing of her father. As an adult, shed decided: he must have abandoned her mother upon learning of the pregnancy. Hed never wanted her.
Em, why so glum today? her colleague Sarah asked during lunch.
Just tired, I suppose, Emily lied with a faint smile.
Truthfully, she couldnt focus. That mornings encounter haunted her. Could he really be her father? Why appear now? The questions swarmed like bees, refusing to settle. But by evening, shed steadied herself. Shed lived perfectly well without him. Why should a stranger disrupt her life now? She had a familyTom and four-year-old Henry. The rest was meaningless.
With that resolve, she drove home, certain the old man would be gone. Life would return to normal. But she was wrong.
Im back she called from the hallway.
Oh, hello! We were starting to wonder, Tom replied from the kitchen.
How was your first day off? Not too worn out from Henry? Maybe we shouldnt have taken him out of nursery for the month.
No, we had a grand time. Watching cartoons now. Em that man from this morning. Hes your father.
Tom, dont start!
But he explained
I dont care what he told you! Why did you even speak to him? Even if he is my father, I dont need him now. Where was he when I was in that home? Drop it, Tom. I wont discuss this again!
That night, sleep eluded her. Not even pills helped. The next morning, she made breakfast, woke Tom, and left for workonly to find the man waiting again.
Emily, please! Five minutes! I never knew you existed!
If you dont stop harassing me, Ill call the police!
She drove off, leaving him standing there, watching helplessly.
All day, thoughts of her parents consumed her. She could barely work. That evening, returning home, she heard voicesTom and the stranger, sitting at the kitchen table.
Tom, have you lost your mind? Emily barely kept from shouting, not wanting to frighten Henry.
Em, just hear him out. Edward, uh, Mr. Whitmore, only wanted to talk. He never knew about you. You always say everyone deserves forgiveness.
Tears spilled down her cheeks.
Dont cry, love. Its trueI knew nothing. My mother, your grandmother, only confessed on her deathbed that I had a daughter. I loved your mother deeply, and she loved me. But life it wasnt simple. Ive failed you. Let me explain.
Trapped, Emily sat beside Tom as Edward began his tale.
I met your mother, Annie, by chance. She worked at a shop near where I lived with my parents. We fell in love quickly. Then I was called up for National Service. We planned to marry when I returned. But when Annie, pregnant, came to my mother she turned her away. Called her an orphan, unfit. Later, Mum wrote to me, claiming Annie had married another. I believed her. After my service, I never went back. Only recently, before her death, did Mum confessAnnie had a daughter.
Emily wept silently as he spoke.
Dont cry. Ive no excuses, but I beg youforgive me. Dont send me away. Ive learned how you grew up. I found Annies grave After my parents died, I thought I was alone. But now I have a daughter, a grandson. Ive lived abroad, but Im coming home. Ill buy a flat here. My parents estateits yours. By right, it belongs to you.
That evening, Edward left.
What will you do? Tom asked.
I dont know, truly.
He said hes leaving tomorrowtying up loose ends, sorting the flat. Should we see him off at the station?
I dont know. Well decide tomorrow.
The next morning, Tom, Emily, and little Henry stood on the platform. Emily spotted Edward first, heading toward the train. Their eyes met, and for the first time, she smiled at him. He slowed, returning the smile.
Minutes later, Edward held Henry in his arms.
Ill be back for good in a month. Well sort the paperwork for the house then.
Theres time Emily said softly.
Forgive me, daughter. Edward whispered again.
Emily cried. He embraced her, and in that moment, she felt something unfamiliara parents love, warmth, and the quiet peace of belonging.
Id best go Edward said sadly.
Come back soon.
I will. Ive spent my life alone. Thought Id die that way. Now I want to live as long as I canIve a family.
As they drove home, Emily turned to Tom.
Thank you.
What for?
If not for you, Id never have spoken to him.
Youre the one who always sayseveryone deserves forgiveness.
Everyone Emily agreed, smiling.
A month later, Edward returned for good. Emily forgave him, accepted the house, and welcomed him as a frequent visitora grandfather to Henry, a father to her at last.
