Emily was preparing dinner, expecting her husband, James, to return in an hour. Their ten-year-old daughter, Lily, was at her dance class.
Soon, Lily would burst in, toss her bag aside, and chatter about her friends, her progress, and her teacher while waiting for dinner. Emily smiledshe always loved listening to her daughters stories.
The doorbell rang. Too early for Jameshe had his keys. Lily must have forgotten hers again. But when Emily opened the door, a young woman stood there instead.
“Lets not drag this out,” the stranger said. “Im your husbands mistress. Weve been seeing each other for years. Yes! Dont look so shockedits hardly a surprise.”
“How many years?” Emily asked coldly.
“Three. It suited me perfectlyliving alone but having a man who drops by. No financial burden, no chores. I never cooked, cleaned, or did his laundry. And I dont plan on changing that now.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Because Im pregnant. An accident, but too late to fix. I wouldnt have come otherwise.”
Emily remembered how hard it had been to conceive. Shed been fine, but James had fertility issues. Theyd turned to IVF. The first attempt failed, but the second brought Lily. Now this.
“So you expect nothing to change? Hell just be a part-time father?”
“No, not quite. Ill have a husband and child who visit. Thats all.”
Emily scoffed. “And how does that work? He raises the child, then pops over so she can see her mother?”
“Exactly. I never wanted kidsthis was an accident.”
“James told me he couldnt father children.”
“Well, clearly he can! I need to see where my child will grow up. Its only fair.”
“Lily is *your* daughter, and James helped raise her, even if hes not her biological father. Now youll have *his* child, and the responsibility falls on you.”
“Miss, I dont even know your name, and frankly, I dont care. Your man doesnt live here anymore. Take his things and go.”
As Emily moved to shut the door, she spotted Lily returning from class.
“Mum, what was that? What baby? And why isnt Dad my father?”
“You heard everything?”
“Im almost eleven, Mum. Im not a child. Tell me.”
So Emily did.
“Youre still my daughter, and Dad loves youlegally, hes your father. We wanted you so much.”
“And now hes having another baby, but you wont be its mum. I wont be its sister. Right?”
“Yes thats right. And one more thing I dont want to live with him anymore.”
“Ill help you, Mum. Im grown up now. Let him go. I love you, but that woman he can have her.”
Right on time, James walked in.
“Whats going on? No welcome hug today?”
Usually, Lily rushed to greet him, but silence hung in the air. She stayed in her room.
“Emily, wheres Lily? Late at dance or sick?”
“Your mistress came. Shes pregnantwith *your* child. Care to explain?”
“Emily, listen its my baby. I cant abandon it.”
“Do you know what shes proposing?”
“Yes. She didnt plan this, but we have Lily. Now therell be another. Its *my* child. Shell live with me.”
“Are you sure its yours? Remember your diagnosis?”
“Exceptions happen!”
“Brilliant. Go live with the mother and your exception. Pack your things laterjust leave.”
“No, Emily! You cant do this! They dont even want me therenot really.”
“Well, youre not wanted here either. Go.”
“What about Lily? I may not be her real father, but I raised her! Whats wrong if my real child lives with us?”
“Your mistress already told me all about fairness. First, make sure its yours. Then well talk. Goodbye.”
Emily divorced James. Since the flat belonged to her parents, he had to leave.
Now homeless, James found his mistress less welcoming. She preferred the occasional visitor, not a full-time father. And motherhood? Not his problem.
After the baby arrived, she sued for child supportand lost. Paternity tests confirmed James wasnt the father. His fertility issues hadnt changed.
Legally, Lily remained his only child, but she 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.
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