I cant right now. The doctors orders are strict. Ill be home as soon as I can.
Mum says Dads in hospital, but hes actually staying with Aunt Agnes, announced eightyearold Ethel, stirring her porridge with a spoon.
Grandma Margaret almost knocked over her tea mug. She had driven up for the weekend to help her daughter and granddaughter with the house while the soninlaw supposedly lay in hospital with appendicitis.
What did you just say, love? she asked, trying to keep her voice calm.
Did I say something wrong? Ethel looked puzzled. Dad lives with Aunt Agnes. Mum showed me pictures on her phone of them cooking and laughing together.
Margaret felt her heart skip a beat. At that moment her daughter Helen emerged from the bathroom in a damp housecoat, hair still wet.
Mum, why do you look so pale? Helen asked, noticing her mothers expression.
Helen, we need to talk, Margaret whispered, nodding toward the childrens bedroom.
Ethel, go watch cartoons, Helen told her daughter.
I havent finished my porridge!
Youll finish it later. Off you go, sunshine.
When Ethel trotted away, Margaret turned slowly back to Helen.
Tell me whats happening.
Helen sat opposite her, avoiding her mothers eyes.
What do you mean?
The fact that Andrew isnt in a hospital hes living with some Aunt Agnes! And youre covering it up, protecting his betrayal.
Helen stayed silent, tugging at the edge of her coat.
Helen, Im your mother. Ive known you for twentyeight years. When you lie, the left side of your face twitches. See? Its twitching now.
Mum, you dont understand
Then explain it to me! Why does my daughter shield a cheating husband? Why lie to me and to your own child?
Helen broke down.
Im scared Ill lose him!
Margaret pulled her daughter into a hug, smoothing her hair. Their familys story had never been simple.
Helen and Andrew had met at university she studying languages, he law. Both came from modest backgrounds and shared a dorm flat. Helen was quiet and homeoriented, never a headturner at school, while Andrew was the campus heartthrob: tall, handsome, clever, captain of the debate team. When he showed interest in the shy language student, their friends could hardly believe it.
Helen, what sorcery have you used? the other girls teased. How did you snag such a dreamboat?
Even Helen doubted it at first. Andrew brought her flowers, took her to the cinema, introduced her to his friends. She waited for a twist, expecting him to change his mind. But there was none. He was genuinely smitten, loving her modesty, kindness, and the way she listened. With her, he felt safe from a world that demanded constant performance.
After graduation they married. Andrew got a job at a law firm, Helen became a primaryschool teacher, and a year later Ethel was born. The early years were happy: Andrews career took off, Helen raised their daughter, and they dreamed of buying a flat.
Gradually things shifted. Andrew began staying late at work, citing new clients and promotion prospects. Helen, trusting his ambition, felt proud.
Six months ago the first cracks appeared. Andrew travelled more for assignments, received a promotion, and bought a new car. He was often distant, answering Helens questions with Im exhausted, the job is stressful.
Andrew, why dont we take a holiday together? Just the three of us? Helen suggested.
I cant right now. Its a busy period. Ill manage, he replied.
Manage stretched into months. He stopped coming home at night, making up excuses about overnight trips and late meetings. Helens suspicion grew, but she shoved it aside.
A month ago, entering his study with a cup of tea, Helen saw his phone screen lit with a loveletter exchange. The messages were unmistakable Andrew was involved with someone else.
Her first impulse was to yell, throw his things out, file for divorce. Then she thought of Ethel, of being a single mother without a stable income after she had quit teaching to look after her child. She chose a quieter path: pretend she knew nothing.
Andrew, whos Svetlana? she asked as calmly as possible, pointing to the name on the screen.
Oh, thats a new business partner, helping with paperwork.
Right.
She believed him, or at least acted as if she did.
Two weeks ago Andrew claimed he needed emergency surgery for appendicitis. Helen wasnt surprised she already knew he was renting a flat with his partner and living as a family. Yet she kept up the role of the oblivious wife.
Helen, tell me everything from the start, Margaret urged later.
Helen recounted the messages, the latenight business trips, the flat for Aunt Agnes. Margaret listened, nodding occasionally.
How long will you keep enduring this? Margaret asked finally.
I dont know. Maybe hell realise his mistake. Maybe its just a midlife crisis.
A midlife crisis at twentynine? Margaret laughed.
I love him, Mum. Ethel cant grow up without a dad.
What about a cheating dad? Margaret pressed.
She doesnt understand yet.
Doesnt understand? She just told me everything! Children arent simple, Helen. They notice more than we think.
Helen burst into tears.
What do I do? I cant survive without him. I have no job, no money, no home. Where do I go with my child?
Come stay with me. Its a onebedroom flat, but well make it work. And youll be honest from now on.
Helen hesitated. What if he comes back? What if he realises what hes done?
What if he never returns? What if Agnes stays, or he files for divorce? Margaret replied.
Helen fell silent, the questions looping in her mind.
Give me a little more time. Maybe itll sort itself out.
Margaret sighed. She could see Helen wasnt ready for a drastic decision, but she could no longer stay silent.
Alright, but one condition: stop lying to Ethel. She sees everything, even if she cant put it into words. Lies only hurt her.
How do I tell her? That Dad has left us for another woman?
Tell her the truth, in a way she can grasp. Explain that Dad lives elsewhere while you sort things out. Dont mention the hospital.
That evening, as Ethel drifted to sleep, Helens phone rang. The caller ID showed Andrews name.
Hello, she said, trying to sound normal.
Hi, how are you? Hows Ethel?
Everythings fine. Hows the treatment going? Will you visit?
You dont need to worry. The doctors say Ill be discharged next week.
Behind the words, Helen heard a womans laughter and music certainly not a ward.
Andrew, can we meet? Ethel misses you.
I cant right now. Im on a strict regimen. Ill be home as soon as they let me.
After the call, Helen sat at the kitchen table, tears streaming. Margaret joined her.
Did he really call? Margaret asked.
Yes. He talked about a strict regimen while laughter played in the background.
Ethel will soon ask why Daddy isnt home, Margaret said gently.
The next morning, after Margaret left for a days shopping, Ethel approached Helen at the kitchen sink.
Mum, when will Daddy come back from the hospital?
Helen looked into her daughters earnest face, seeing a maturity beyond eight years.
Ethel, sit down. I need to tell you something.
Hes not in the hospital? Ethel asked, surprised.
You know?
Of course I know. Im not a baby. I saw the pictures on Mums phone of Dad and Aunt Agnes cooking pancakes. Hospitals dont make pancakes.
What do you think about it?
He probably doesnt love us any more. He loves Aunt Agnes.
Helen felt her heart tighten.
Sweetheart, adults sometimes make terrible choices. Dads also human; he can err.
Why did you say he was in the hospital?
I hoped hed realise his mistake and return.
What if he never returns?
I dont know, love. I dont know.
Ethel thought a moment, then said, Mum, why dont we just live without Dad? Just the two of us. That would be fine.
Helen looked at her daughter and realised the child had already decided for them both. It was time to stop the pretence.
Youre right, Ethel. Lets be a family of our own.
Can we move in with Grandma? Ethel asked. She said shed take us.
Sure, if you dont mind a tiny flat.
Not at all. Just dont cry at night anymore.
You heard me crying? Ethel said. Of course I did. Im not deaf or blind. Mum, can we promise never to lie to each other again?
Promise, Helen agreed, hugging her tightly.
That night she texted Andrew:
We need to meet. Ethel knows about Aunt Agnes.
He replied an hour later:
How does she know? What did you tell her?
Nothing. Kids arent blind.
Come tomorrow, well talk.
The next day Andrew arrived, looking nervous and guilty. Ethel, spotting her father, brightened but stayed composed.
Daddy, are you feeling better? she asked.
Im fine, sweetheart.
Then why did Mum say you were in hospital?
Andrew stumbled, clearly unprepared for such directness from an eightyearold.
Ethel, go to your room, Helen said. I need to speak with your father.
When Ethel left, Helen faced Andrew.
So, what now?
I
No explanations needed. Just tell me do you want to keep this family or not?
Andrew stayed silent.
Okay, Helen said. Then lets sort out Ethels future child support, birthdays, visits.
Its not that simple
How can it be simple? You live with another woman. Ive covered for you, lied to my own mother, and to my child. Thats enough.
I never intended it to turn out like this.
But it did. We have to decide what to do next.
Andrew looked at his wife, seeing the change in her she was no longer the docile woman who tolerated everything for the sake of family.
I dont want a divorce, he said finally.
What do you want then? For me to keep covering your affairs? To keep lying to our daughter? To wait at home while you live with Aunt Agnes?
Give me time to think.
Times up, Andrew! Ethel understands everything. She needs certainty. Either you come back and we rebuild, or we part ways amicably.
How do I choose a family?
No more Aunt Agnes. No more secret trips. An honest, open life.
Andrew pondered.
I need to think.
Give me a week. No more delays.
A week later Andrew called, asking to meet. They met at a café, without Ethel.
Ive decided, he said. I want to try to rebuild our family.
What about Aunt Agnes?
Its over.
Andrew, Ill give you one chance. One. If you cheat again, its over forever.
I understand.
Well see a family therapist together. No more secrets from Ethel. If youre away for work, shell know where and why. If you stay late, youll call home.
Agreed.
Helen glanced at him, unsure if things would work. There had been too much pain, too many lies. Still, she wanted to try for Ethels sake.
Then you can come home tomorrow. Ethel will be glad.
That evening Helen explained the conversation to Ethel.
He said he wants to come back home. He wont live with Aunt Agnes anymore.
Do you believe him? Ethel asked seriously.
I want to believe. What about you?
I hope so too. But if he lies again, well go to Grandmas. Deal?
Deal, Helen said, smiling at her daughters wisdom.
The next day Andrew returned, bringing flowers for Helen and a new doll for Ethel. That night the family dined together like a proper household. Ethel told her dad about school, Helen shared the days chores.
Dad, will you ever live with Aunt Agnes again? Ethel asked.
No, love. Ill live with you.
What if you change your mind?
I wont.
Will Mum still say youre in hospital?
No, I promise.
Then we can keep going.
Ethel giggled and returned to her plate, as if the verdict on their familys future had already settled.
Time will tell if trust can truly be rebuilt, but Helen knew one thing for certain: she would never again deceive herself, her daughter, or anyone else.
As Ethel drifted off to sleep, she thought about how strange adults were, making everything so complicated when a simple truth could set everything right. The most important thing was that Daddy was finally home, and no more pretending about where he really lived.
The lesson was clear: honesty may hurt in the short term, but it builds a foundation strong enough for a family to stand on, even when the road ahead is rocky.
