**Without a Mistress No Way**
I admit itIm an incorrigible, hopeless scoundrel. I repent, yet the cycle repeats.
“Emily, I beg you, dont keep this child! Our finances are stretched thin. Isnt little William enough? He needs raising. Think it over, please. As your husband, Im absolutely against a second child. You *must* listen to me!” Anger choked my words.
“Edward, dont worry. Well manage. My parents will help. You know how much I want a daughter. Wouldnt it be wonderful for William to have a sibling? Theyd grow up close, support each other,” my wife Emily insisted stubbornly.
Emily and I met at university. She caught my eye immediatelysteady, sensible, wise beyond her years. She seemed *made* to be a devoted wife. Her voice was soft as velvet, her hair a cascade of fiery red. That was all her beauty amounted toplump, freckled, short. But her heart? Pure gold.
The moment I saw her, I thought, *This woman will be my wife.* Then I met Sophie on a parallel coursepretty, clever, married. I fancied myself a modern-day Heathcliff from *Wuthering Heights*, dreaming of a dutiful wife at home while a passionate mistress warmed my nights.
None of it worked outnot for me, nor for Heathcliff.
Sophie became Emilys closest friend, a steadfast ally to our family. But I still craved a mistress. Eventually, I found one. Jessica never resented Emily, never pressured me to leave, never complicated my life. She gave herself freely, and we were both content.
Then, just as I felt like a *real* man, Emily announced her pregnancy.
She gave birth to a daughter, Charlotte. Sophie, the would-be mistress, became the babys godmother.
I adored that little girl. Emily never expected such devotion to an “unwanted” childneither did I.
Jessica, however, grew to despise Charlotte from afar. On our rare meetings, Id gush about how clever, beautiful, and happy she was. Jessica soon tired of it. Our affair fizzled, and I let her go without regret. My world now revolved around Charlotte. William faded into the background, barely receiving a fathers love.
Perhaps because of that neglect, at nineteen, William fell for a woman seven years his seniorPolly. She marched into our home as if she owned it, a whirlwind of energy. She *organized* us all, and we let her. Breakfast, lunch, dinnerPolly took charge, cooking with gusto. At first, William loved the attention. But her motherly fussing grated on him. She called him “Duckling”; he retaliated with “Mother Hen.” Shed laugh, kiss his nose, ruffle his hairuntil they inevitably split. Still, William learned a thing or two about romance.
Then he brought home Alice. She couldve been Keira Knightleys twinstunning, graceful, shy. Barely twenty. I was *smitten*. I doted on her, offering sweets, cakes, ice cream. Alice couldnt care less about housework. Why should she? With a glance, William would fry eggs, brew coffee, make sandwiches. Id have done the same. That beauty had me wrapped around her finger.
Emily noticed my fascination and intervened through William.
“William, is this serious with Alice, or just a fling?” she asked casually.
“What do you mean?” he deflected.
“You need to decide. What is she to you? A live-in girlfriend? I dont understand parents who let their daughters drift like this,” Emily pressed.
“Mum, Alices fathers gone. Her mum lives in the countryside. Its not practical to meet every boyfriend,” William defended her.
“Figures. Shes from a broken home. Listenmarry her or end it,” Emily said sharply.
“Fine,” William shrugged, oblivious to her real motive.
A week later, he and Alice rented a flat and moved out.
“Better this way, love. Fewer temptations,” Emily teased, wagging a playful fist at me.
Three months later, William returnedalone.
“What, taking a break before the wedding?” I joked.
“Sure. Just not *our* wedding,” he shot back.
“Dont fret, son. A beauty like Alice? Shell break hearts, not mend them,” Emily said, eyeing me pointedly.
“Whatever. Its fine,” William muttered.
Just before New Years, a stranger knocked. Emily answered.
“Hello, in-laws! Surprise? Im Alices mum. Wheres your son? Hes got some explaining to do.” The woman reeked of alcohol.
I raised a brow at Emily. *Heres your chance to meet the family.*
“Come in. What exactly brings you here?” Emily asked tightly.
“Your boy *will* marry my Alice. She wont raise a fatherless child. Understood?” The woman slammed a palm against the doorframe.
We were stunned.
“William isnt home. Well handle this and contact Alice. Goodbye,” Emily said, guiding her out.
“What now, Edward? Fetch William,” Emily sighed, sinking into a chair.
William emerged, headphones on. *Whats the fuss?*
Emily gently removed them.
“Son, what shall we name your child?” she began.
“What?”
“I wish I were joking. Alice is pregnant. Her drunk mother just told us. Whats your plan?”
William turned scarlet, scrubbed his face. “I dont know. I havent seen Alice in *six months*.”
Soon, William brought a heavily pregnant Alice home. She glowed.
“Mum, well stay in my room. Alice needs peace. Her mums always drunk, celebrating her new granny status. The whole village knows.” They vanished behind the door.
Charlotte burst in, eavesdropping as usual.
“Wow! Alice has a huge belly! Something bigs happening!” she giggled.
“Out! Nosey parker,” Emily laughed, hugging her.
Alice had twinsDaniel and Diana.
We werent sure they were *ours* at first. But their faces soon mirrored William and Alices. Relief. Wed have loved them regardless.
Emily doted on everyone. William and Alice married quietlyno fuss.
Now, about that mistress I still sneak off to Jessica. She scolds me but lets me stay.
I loathe my weakness but cant stop.
*Jessica, send me away. Shame me. Do it.*
**Lifes irony? The love we reject often becomes the love we cravetoo late.**
