**Diary Entry 12th March**
The moment I caught my husband with my best friend, I left without a word, disappearing to another city, never telling him about the pregnancy. But fate had other plansfive years later, we crossed paths again.
“Are you absolutely certain?” Emily clutched her phone, fighting to keep her voice steady.
“Congratulations, Mrs. Emily Whitmore. The results are positiveyou’re roughly six weeks along.”
She thanked the doctor and hung up. The world around her blurred. Six weeks. Exactly how long it had been since that evening she came home early and found a familiar handbag in the hallwaythe very one shed gifted Claire for her birthday.
Emily sank into the chair by the window. Outside, snow blanketed London, erasing the citys edges. If only memories could be wiped away just as easily.
Her phone rang again. Jonathan. The third time in an hour.
“Emily, where are you? We were supposed to meet after work.”
“Sorry, got held up,” she said, forcing calm into her voice. “Dont wait for meIve got loads to do.”
“Are you alright? You sound off.”
“Fine. Just tired.”
She hung up and stared at the suitcase packed that morning. Five years of marriage, gone in an instant. And a new life, already growing inside her.
—
**Five Years Later**
“Mummy, look how pretty!” Four-year-old Lily pressed her nose against the toy shop window, mesmerised by a doll in an elaborate gown.
“Very pretty,” Emily smiled, adjusting Lilys woollen hat. “But were lateAunt Margarets waiting.”
“Where are we going?” Lily pouted but slipped her small hand into Emilys.
“To see Mummys aunt. Shes expecting us.”
Manchester greeted them with a frosty January morning. Five years since Emily had stepped foot in her hometown, five years spent rebuilding her life far from the past. Now, duty calledher aunt, the only family whod stood by her, was in hospital.
“Lily, slow down, darling.” Emily tightened her grip as they entered the gleaming atrium of a newly opened business centre. They needed to cut through to reach the bus stop.
Marble floors reflected chandelier light. A grand opening ceremony was underway, the air humming with chatter and orchestral music.
“Emily?”
Her breath hitched. That voiceunmistakable, unchanged, even after half a decade. Slowly, she turned.
“Jonathan.”
Time hadnt aged him muchsame grey eyes, same distinguished silver at his temples. Only the lines around his eyes were deeper.
“Never thought Id see you here,” he murmured, staring as if she were a ghost. “Youve come back?”
“Just passing through.” She felt Lily press against her leg. “Not staying.”
His gaze dropped to the little girl. His expression shiftedrecognition, disbelief. Lily was his mirror: his eyes, his smile, even the dimple in her cheek when she grinned.
“And this is?”
“My daughter. Lily.”
Silence, thick and brittle.
“There you are!” A tall, elegant woman with chestnut hair approached. “Everyones looking for youoh, hello.” She glanced curiously at Emily.
“Victoria, this is Emily an old friend,” Jonathan said haltingly, eyes still on Lily. “Emily, this is Victoria. My wife.”
“Lovely to meet you,” Emily forced a smile. “We must go.”
“Wait.” Jonathan stepped forward. “How can I reach you?”
“You cant.” She turned, gripping Lilys hand, and walked away.
—
In the taxi, Lily nestled against her. “Mummy, who was that?”
“Just someone I knew a long time ago, sweetheart.”
Aunt Margarets flat was as cosy as everthe same refuge Emily had fled to five years ago with nothing but a suitcase and a shattered heart.
“You havent changed a bit,” Margaret smiled, smoothing Lilys hair. “But this ones grown so much! How are you, really?”
“Im fine,” Emily helped her aunt into an armchair. “The doctor says you just need rest.”
“I meant *you*.” Margaret studied her. “Did you see him?”
“Earlier. At the business centre. Of all the places”
“Fate,” Margaret sighed. “He looked for you, you know.”
Emily froze.
“Came by a month after you left. Several times. I told him I didnt know where you were.”
“Thank you. That was the right thing.”
“His mother phoned last year, too. Helen always adored you.”
A pang struck her. Her former mother-in-law *had* been kind. Had she ever known the truth about Jonathan and Claire?
“Lily looks just like him,” Margaret said softly. “Does he suspect?”
“I think so. But it changes nothing.”
—
The next morning, an unknown number flashed on her phone.
“Emily? Its Helen.”
Her stomach knotted.
“Jonathan said he saw you yesterday. I could we talk?”
An hour later, they sat at the kitchen table, Lily still asleep upstairs.
“Shes really his?” Helen asked outright.
Emily nodded.
“Why didnt you tell him?” No accusationjust pain. “You robbed him of his child. Robbed *us*.”
“He robbed *himself*,” Emily whispered. “The moment he brought my best friend into our home.”
Helen looked away. “He told me everything when you vanished. He was wrecked. But Emilyit was one mistake.”
“One that changed *everything*.”
“He only married Victoria two years ago. Spent years searching for you. Then he met her. Shes a good woman, but they cant have children.”
Emily swallowed hard. “Im sorry. Thats not my problem.”
“And what about Lily? Doesnt she deserve a father?”
A sleepy voice piped up from the doorway.
“Mummy, Im awake.”
Helen froze, staring at her granddaughter with wide eyes.
—
**Later That Week**
“Why not just say no?” Paul paced her aunts sitting room. Theyd met at the publishing house where Emily worked in Manchester.
“Its not that simple. Hes rightLily *should* know her father.”
“He *cheated*! With your best friend!”
“I know. But that doesnt erase his role in her life.”
Paul stopped. “Do you still love him?”
“No.” She shook her head. “But I cant let my anger decide Lilys future.”
Victoria called that evening, asking to meet. In a quiet park, the woman was startlingly sincere.
“Jonathan told me everything. About your past, about Lily. I cant have childrennever could. When we married, I knew part of his heart would always be yours.”
“What do you want?” Emily asked warily.
“To love him means wanting his happiness. Lily should have her father. And if you allow it shed have me, too. Another person to cherish her.”
Emily exhaled. Shed expected jealousy, not this.
“Why are you doing this?”
“Because family isnt just blood. Its a choice we make every day. I chose Jonathan, all of him. Now I choose more love, not less.”
—
**Final Decision**
Days later, Emily stood before them allJonathan, Victoria, Paul, Helen, and even Claire, whom shed deliberately invited.
“Lily deserves the truth. And a father.” She looked at Jonathan. “Joint custodybut we dont move back permanently. Holidays, visits. Well make it work.”
To Paul, she said, “Lets take things slow. Lilys had enough upheaval.”
Victoria smiled through tears. “When can we meet her properly?”
“Tomorrow.”
—
**One Week Later Train to Manchester**
“Bye, Daddy!” Lily waved from the window, clutching a new dollJonathans parting gift.
“Thank you,” he murmured to Emily.
“No thanks needed. I did what I shouldve done years ago.”
As the train pulled away, Emily leaned back, eyes closed. For the first time in years, she felt peace.
Sometimes you must go back to move forward. Sometimes forgiveness is a giftnot to them, but to yourself. And sometimes, the bitterest truth is the only path to happiness.
