Emily no longer feels resentment, only bewilderment.
It all began the moment little Emily first heard the word “divorce.” Of course, she didnt fully understand its meaning then, but her instincts told her it was something bad. Emilys family had been just the three of themher, her mum, and her dad. It had seemed like nothing could shatter their little world of happiness and harmony.
Life had been steady and predictable. Each morning started the sameEmily woke to her mums gentle voice calling her for breakfast, while her dad brewed a proper cup of tea and skimmed the morning paper. Evenings were spent together watching telly or playing board games. Those nights became the brightest memories of her childhood.
Then, one evening, everything changed. Her mum sat at the kitchen table, nervously twisting a napkin in her hands. When her dad walked in, his face was grim. The air between them turned thick. An invisible wall had risen, and the tension was unbearable.
“We need to talk,” her dad said, his voice heavy.
Emily sat in the corner, her heart pounding. She watched as her parents exchanged tense glances. Her mum gave a silent nod, shoulders slumped in resignation.
What followed were hours of arguments, tears, and muffled sobs. Emily buried herself under her duvet, pressing her hands over her ears, but every word still reached her. The worst was hearing her mums criesraw, desperate, and full of pain.
By morning, her dad had packed his things and left. Emily stood by the window, watching him go, blinking back tears. Alone with her mum, she knew her little world had shattered for good.
The days that followed were a blur of heartache. Emily replayed every happy memory, now tainted with bitterness. She asked herself the same questions over and overwhy had her dad left? Hadnt he always said he loved her? What had changed?
She had grown up adored by both parents, her childhood filled with laughter and warmth. Her dad had been her heroher protector, her playmate, the one who read her bedtime stories. His voice, his smile, his hugsthey had been her whole world.
But the worst blow came later. One evening, when Emily was ten, her dad appeared at the door, looking weary and uneasy.
“You should know the truth,” he said quietly. “Im not your real father.”
The words hit like a bomb. The world dimmed, colours faded, sounds muffled. Her chest tightened as if stabbed. For the first time, she felt truly betrayed.
Time passed, but the wound never fully healed. Emily threw herself into school, friends, and sports, but the memories still crept backespecially during holidays, when friends chatted about family gatherings. Every mention was a fresh sting.
Her dad remarried a woman with a daughter around Emilys age. Their new life seemed perfecta big house, nice things, expensive gifts. The girl got everything Emily had ever dreamed of.
One moment stood out. Her dad invited her to the girls birthday party.
Emily walked through the streets, lost in thought. Today, shed step back into the life shed been cut from. There, in that house, was the girl her dad had chosenSophie.
At the doorstep, Emily hesitated. Should she even go? Would she just be an awkward guest, out of place? Finally, she pressed the buzzer.
A tall woman answered.
“Come in,” she said briskly.
The house smelled of freshly baked cake and celebration. Kids ran about, music played, laughter filled the air. Among them stood Sophieslim, dressed in a lovely blue dress.
Sophies eyes met Emilys. Silence hung between them. Then Sophie stepped forward, offering a polite hand.
“Hi, Im Sophie.”
Emily flushed, shaking it lightly.
“I know,” she murmured.
An awkward pause followed. The girls sized each other up. Then Sophie broke the silence.
“Did you bring a present?”
Emilys stomach twisted. Shed bought a set of pencilsan ordinary gift, now feeling foolish. She pulled the box from her bag.
“Here.”
Sophie unwrapped it, barely glancing inside. A faint, polite smile flickered.
“Thanks,” she said flatly, setting it aside.
Emilys face burned with humiliation. The gift had been dismissed. She turned away, hiding her disappointment.
The party went on, but Emilys mood soured. She watched her dad laugh with Sophie, holding her hands, telling jokesthe same ones hed once shared with her. It hurt. *This is why he chose her,* she thought bitterly.
When it ended, Sophie gave a quick wave, as if eager to be rid of her. Her dad approached awkwardly.
“Sorry about today,” he mumbled. “Maybe we could meet up properly?”
Emily shook her head. She left, crushed. At home, alone in her room, she criedhating herself for the tears, but the pain was too much.
That birthday ended any hope of fixing things. Her dad belonged to another world nowSophies world. All Emily had left were the memories and the hollow ache of being replaced.
Now grown, Emily has her own familya husband, kids. Her mum found a kind man who treats them like his own. Only one person is missingher dad. Hes still out there, loving Sophie, doting on her children, buying her a flat.
Emily no longer resents him. She just doesnt understand. How could he walk away so easily from a child he once claimed to love?
