13April2025 London
Dear Diary,
Emma burst through my flats doorway, breathless, and announced, Toms pregnant! I stared at her for a heartbeat, then let out a sigh and muttered, Well, if thats how it turned out before planting a quick kiss on her cheek, as if trying to dodge the tide of my own emotions.
Emma had first fallen for Tom while they were both undergraduates. He was interning at the firm where she did her placementyoung, handsome, already deputy department managerseemed to belong to another world. A modest girl from a small town, she never imagined hed ever notice her. Yet on the last day of her internship, he approached her, handed her a box of chocolates and asked her out for drinks. That was the beginning of their story.
On their first date he confessed that hed grown up without parents. His mother had remarried and left, leaving him in his grandmothers care. Emma never mentioned that her own parents had never taken any interest in her life. A childhood of cold indifference, no warmth at all. Both knew what loneliness felt like, and perhaps thats why they bonded so quickly.
A month later Emma moved into Toms rented flat. Soon after came the weddingquiet, modest, but full of hope. They dreamed of a house of their own, a calm life. The only thing that divided them was the question of children. Emma had wanted a baby for years; Tom kept putting it off, saying, Were fine as we are, why rush?
When the test showed two lines, Emma couldnt find the courage to tell him straight away. She feared judgment, the sting of reproach. Eventually she gathered the nerve.
Are you happy well be parents? she asked.
I thought that would be later he replied, disappointment plain on his face.
He skipped the first ultrasound, waiting in the car while Emma returned, eyes brimming with tears and joytwins. Two tiny heartbeats beating inside her.
Twins? Tom went pale. That wasnt part of the plan. You should consider an abortion!
What are you saying?! I saw our children I cant Emma sobbed.
She hoped he would come round, that he would understand. But each day he drifted further away, critiquing her weight, saying shed lost her shape. She tried to ignore it. After the babies were born things only got worse.
Lucy and Hannahher twin daughters became the centre of her world. Tom stayed late at work, pulled away, refused to help. Emma endured it allfor the children, for love, for family.
When the girls turned one and a half, Emma mentioned going back to work. Tom sat opposite her, staring at the floor.
Heres the truth Ive found someone else. Im leaving. I wont abandon the kids, but I want a life with her.
Emma was stunned.
You swore youd never end up like your parents! she choked out through tears.
He left. He lingered a while, then disappeared for good. Emma was left alone, without money, without support. Return to the countryside? No jobs there. Stay here? Jobs existed, but nowhere to live.
My boss stepped in and arranged a spot for her in the university halls. A tiny room, a bit of renovation, two babiesshe managed. One afternoon, as she tried to push the stroller down the corridor, a voice called out:
May I give you a hand? Im Mark. I live next door.
He helped without a question, then offered to assist with the repairs. He started picking the kids up from nursery. At first Emma kept her distanceshe was scaredbut day by day Mark became part of their lives.
He was ordinary, reliable. His own marriage had collapsed when his wife left him for a friend after learning they couldnt have children. Now he had two little ones who loved him wholeheartedly.
When he proposed to Emma, she first refused.
I have kids. Youll find someone else.
I want to be with you. The children arent a problem; theyre like my own.
We married. A week later Tom reappeared.
Emma, Im sorry. I understand everything now. Lets start over
Its too late. Im married. My children now have a real father.
From the doorway Mark stepped forward.
Meet my husband, he said, introducing his own partner.
Tom turned, waved a hand, and walked away never to return.
A year has passed. Emma and I have bought our own house. As for TomI have no idea where he is, and I dont want to know. Happiness isnt the one who makes promises; its the one who stays.
Lesson learned: promises are cheap; staying true is priceless.
