I’m 34 years old and I have a 10-year-old daughter. I’m single, so I raise her on my own. Eleven years ago, I had a relationship with a married man. I got pregnant, and we haven’t seen each other since then. This was my decision. Since that time, we’ve not met even once.
To be honest, I didn’t love him. It was merely a convenient relationship. He provided for me financially and fulfilled my wishes. I wanted a child very much, so the thought of an abortion never crossed my mind. He wouldn’t have left his family, and I didn’t want to marry him. As they say, “You can’t build happiness on someone else’s misery.” That’s why I decided to leave. It was a considered and well-thought-out decision.
I was afraid of having an abortion because I had some gynecological issues. I’d longed for a child, and being a single mother didn’t scare me; it didn’t deter me. My parents supported me; there were no arguments or complaints. They encouraged and helped me, and they still do, for which I am endlessly grateful. Deep down, I understood that I was unlikely to find love. Men are hesitant to get involved with a woman who has a child. It didn’t matter. I was determined to give birth. I’m the mother of the most wonderful daughter in the world. Without her, my life would have been filled with loneliness. I sometimes went on dates, but there were no serious relationships.
My daughter is in Year 4, and I recently discovered that one of her classmates is the daughter of my former lover, who is her biological father. To say I was shocked would be an understatement. Our meeting was completely unexpected: we bumped into each other in the school corridor. We both pretended not to recognize each other. His daughter sits at the same desk as mine. It wasn’t a pleasant surprise. I wanted to forget about him and all the memories that connected us. I felt ashamed of my past mistakes.
I never expected we’d meet again. Right now, my only concern is that my daughter resembles him a lot. I’m afraid the girls might notice these similarities. I desperately don’t want them to learn the truth.
I’m not sure how to handle this situation. Transferring my daughter to another school isn’t the best option. She’s just settled in with her classmates and teachers. I might have to tell her everything. Oh, how I dread this. Why is it so complicated? Everything was going so well, and now he’s back in my life. I don’t know what to do next. It torments me; I can’t sleep. Any advice would be appreciated!
