It was a quiet evening in London, and Elizabeth was preparing supper. Her husband, William, would be home from work within the hour. Their ten-year-old daughter, Emma, was finishing her ballet class and would return soon, tossing her bag aside and chattering about her friends, her progress, and her instructor. Elizabeth smiled to herselfEmmas lively tales were always a joy to hear.
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. Too early for Williamhe had his keys. It must be Emma, having forgotten hers again. But when Elizabeth opened the door, a young woman stood there instead.
“I wont mince words,” the stranger said. “Im your husbands mistress. Weve been seeing each other for years. Yes, dont look so shockedspare me the theatrics.”
Elizabeth steadied herself. “Years? How many?”
“Three. It suited me just fineliving alone but having a man who came and went. No burdens, financial or domestic. I never cooked, cleaned, or washed his clothes. And I dont intend to start now.”
“Then why are you here?”
“I wouldnt have come, but Im with child. An accident, but too late to change it.”
Elizabeth remembered the struggle she and William had faced to conceive. Theyd turned to fertility treatments, failing once before Emma was born. Shed even hoped for twinscommon with such methods. Now, this news struck like a bolt from the blue.
“You think nothing will change?” Elizabeth asked. “A man who visits is one thinga father who visits is quite another.”
“No, you misunderstand. Ill have a husband and child who visit. Thats all.”
Elizabeth scoffed. “And how would that work? Will he raise the child, then visit you so it knows its mother?”
“Precisely. I never wanted childrenthis was an accident. But I need to see the conditions my child will grow up in. Its only fair.”
“Fair? Your daughter is yours, and William helps raise her, though hes not her father by blood. Now you expect him to father your child while I do the work?”
“MissI dont even know your namebut your man doesnt live here anymore. Take his things and go. The rest doesnt concern me.”
Elizabeth moved to shut the door but froze when she saw Emma standing there, having returned from ballet.
“Mum, what was that? What child? And why isnt Dad my real father?”
“You heard everything?” Elizabeth sighed. “Then its time you knew.”
“Im nearly eleven, Mum. I can handle it.”
So Elizabeth told her the truth.
“Youre my daughter, but Dad loves you. Hes your father in every way that matters. We waited for you together.”
“And now hes waiting for another child, but you wont be its mum. I wont be its sister. Is that it?”
“Yes,” Elizabeth admitted. “And youre old enough now. I dont want to live with him anymore.”
“Ill help you, Mum. Dont worry. Im grown. Let him go. I love you, but that woman Let him be with her.”
William arrived promptly as always.
“Whats happened? No welcome, no hug?”
Emma usually ran to greet him, but tonight, she stayed in her room.
“Elizabeth, wheres Emma? Late from ballet? Or is she ill?”
“Your mistress came. Shes expecting your child. Explain why she was here.”
“Elizabeth, you must understandits my child. I cant abandon it.”
“Do you know what shes proposing?”
“I do. She never wanted it, but We have Emma. Now therell be another. My child! Itll live with me.”
“Are you sure its yours? Remember your diagnosis.”
“Exceptions happen!”
“Brilliant. Go to the mother of your exception. Leave now. Collect your things later.”
“No, Elizabeth! You cant do this! They dont want me therenot like this.”
“Well, youre not wanted here either. Go.”
“What about Emma? Im her father in every way but blood. Whats wrong with my real child living with us?”
“Her mother already explained fairness to me. First, find out if its yours. Then well talk. Goodbye.”
Elizabeth divorced William. He had to leavethe flat belonged to her parents, whod built their own home but never transferred the deed. Not that it wouldve mattered legally.
Now homeless, William found no refuge with his mistress. The man whod merely visited was better suited to her tastesshe had no intention of changing her ways or caring for a child. Shed play with it, enjoy it, but nappies, sleepless nights, and illnesses? That wasnt part of her plan.
After the birth, she sued for child support but lost. No one knows how the neglectful mother raises the child now. Williams fertility diagnosis stood unchangedno blood relation was proven.
He has one daughter on paper, but Emma refuses to speak to him. He pays support, begs for reconciliation, but Elizabeth wants nothing to do with him.
So it goesturns out, sitting on two chairs with one backside isnt as simple as it seems.
What would you say about it all? Share your thoughts below.
