Dark Secrets of the Past
“Alex, don’t be late tonight, please,” said Emily to her husband, stirring soup on the stove in their flat in Bristol. “Our Sophie wants us to meet her boyfriend, Daniel!”
Leonard sighed heavily. His little girl had grown up—already with a fiancé. Time flew so fast. Daniel was charming—sharp, well-read, with an easy smile. Leonard took to him at once, and Emily approved too. Sophie was glowing—everything had gone perfectly. But one day, while wandering through the shopping centre for a gift for Emily, Leonard heard a voice that froze his heart.
For two years, Leonard had led a double life. He met Lily by chance when she lightly scratched his car in a car park. The mark was barely noticeable, but she apologised so earnestly that she convinced him to join her for tea at a nearby café.
Leonard agreed. There was something magnetic about this fragile, lively woman. She was alone, cheerful, with a spark in her eyes. The conversation stretched on.
They began meeting at her flat. Leonard admitted straight away that he was married. Lily didn’t mind—she had fallen for his confident, composed presence.
With Emily, he’d been married seven years. She was warm, caring, their home in Bristol a cosy haven. Both earned well, but the absence of children cast a shadow. Doctors only shrugged—everything was fine, yet nothing happened.
Leonard had no intention of leaving—he was content. He saw Lily when his schedule allowed, careful not to neglect Emily. Maybe it eased the guilt?
“Alex, I’m pregnant,” Lily dropped on him one evening. “Time to choose—us or your wife. I’m tired of waiting.”
Leonard was stunned. They’d always been careful—he’d assumed they were safe. A child outside his marriage wasn’t part of the plan. But something had gone wrong.
“How?” he forced out. “We were careful.”
“Nothing’s foolproof,” she said with a shrug.
“I want children,” he admitted. “But not like this. Give me time to think.”
On the drive home, he decided—confess to Emily, file for divorce. Honesty was the only way. He couldn’t stay with her knowing his child was growing elsewhere. Hiding and lying was unbearable now.
Leonard stepped into the flat resolved. But Emily met him with shining eyes.
“Alex, what’s wrong?” she beamed. “I saw the doctor today. We’re having a baby! Finally! I’m so happy, you can’t imagine!”
Her joy was infectious. He hadn’t seen her like this in years.
“Really? That’s… incredible,” he breathed, masking his shock.
He wasn’t lying—the news floored him. Two pregnancies in one day? How could he tell Emily about Lily? Why now?
By morning, his decision was made—he would stay with Emily. Lily had to go. Juggling two families wasn’t possible, nor did he want it. He’d persuade her not to keep the child.
That evening, he sat in her kitchen as she poured fragrant tea.
“Lily, listen,” he began. “Emily told me yesterday—she’s pregnant. After all these years… I can’t leave her. I’ll help with… the procedure. You’re young, you’ll find someone else, have a family. I’m not ready for two.”
Lily listened in silence, no tears, no reproach.
“Understood,” she said calmly. “I’ll book it tomorrow. Don’t come back. Be happy with her. Go. And keep your money.”
Leonard clenched his jaw. A brutal moment. He left without another word, the door slamming behind him.
Twenty-two years passed.
“Alex, don’t be late tonight,” Emily reminded him. “Sophie’s bringing Daniel. I’ve heard so much—it’s time to meet him. Just… go easy on questions. She’s in love, and I hope he’s worthy.”
Leonard smiled. His Sophie, all grown up, with a fiancé. To him, she’d always be the little girl with pigtails. He remembered every moment—her first smile, first steps, first tooth. Etched into his heart.
Sophie had been born delicate. Emily was the perfect mother, enveloping her in care. Their daughter mirrored her—same eyes, same grace.
Leonard had found peace. He had everything—a loving wife, a daughter, stability. Lily rarely crossed his mind—he hoped she’d moved on.
Meeting Daniel went smoothly. He studied with Sophie at university—quick-witted, well-read. Still lived with his parents but dreamed of his own place. Leonard liked him; Emily approved. Sophie shone—her choice accepted.
One day, Leonard wandered the shopping centre for Emily’s birthday gift. Nothing caught his eye, so he stopped for coffee.
“Hello, Leonard,” came a voice. “Enjoy your meal.”
He turned—and nearly choked. Daniel stood beside… Lily.
She had barely aged, just softer around the edges.
“This is my mum, Lily,” said Daniel. “And this is Sophie’s dad.”
Lily awkwardly offered her hand.
“Pleasure,” she murmured.
“Likewise,” Leonard managed.
“Mum, I’ll be back,” Daniel said. “A mate needs help picking a jacket. Meet at the car in half an hour.”
Once alone, Lily sat opposite.
“Congratulations,” she said quietly.
“That’s your son? You’re married?” he asked, struggling to process.
“Yes, my son. Married. I didn’t know Sophie was yours. Daniel never said her surname. Small world…”
“Too small,” he exhaled.
“Alex,” she hesitated. “I’d never say this, but I must. Our children can’t be together.”
“Why?” he frowned. “Still angry? But they’re innocent. They’re in love!”
“God, you don’t understand,” she met his gaze. “Daniel… is your son.”
Leonard froze.
“My son? But you—”
“I couldn’t go through with it,” she cut in. “I had him. Never regretted it. He’s wonderful. Married two years later—no more children. Daniel thinks my husband’s his father, carries his name. He doesn’t know about you. So now what? How do we tell them?”
“I… don’t know,” Leonard stammered. “Like a soap opera. We’ll think. I’m in shock. Here’s my number—call me.”
He sat on a bench outside for hours, weighing options. Only one path remained—truth, however painful.
Emily was ironing when he returned.
“Where were you?” she asked. “Dinner’s cold. Sophie’s out with Daniel.”
“Em, we need to talk,” he said gravely. “It’s hard.”
“What’s wrong?” She shut off the iron, tense.
“Years ago, there was another woman,” he began. “She got pregnant. I meant to leave for her, but then you said you were expecting. I stayed. Told her I wouldn’t abandon you, and we ended it. She promised not to keep the baby. I never saw her again. Until today. Daniel’s mother is her. Daniel’s my son.”
Emily clutched her head, pacing.
“How?” she whispered. “A son…”
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I was a fool. But how do we tell Sophie? Out of everyone, she chose him…”
“Alex,” she stopped. “Don’t tell her.”
“What? They’re siblings! What if they marry?”
“Seems it’s confession night,” she said bitterly. “Sophie… isn’t yours.”
Leonard laughed, thinking it a joke.
“Whose is she?”
“There was someone,” she admitted. “A colleague. We’d grown distant, remember? He was attentive. I… gave in. I wanted a child, and you didn’t seem to care. I’m certain—Sophie’s his. That month, nothing happened between us. But with him… it did, more than once. So Sophie and Daniel aren’t related.”
“You… lied?” He gasped, the pain sharp.
“I’m sorry,” she looked down. “I never meant to say. I wanted a family. Ended it with him straight after. He moved abroad—no contact since. Now it’s your turn to forgive.”
Leonard grabbed his keys and fled. He drove through Bristol, the truth churning. Sophie—not his. Emily’s deceit spanning years. How to move forward? He’d never stop loving Sophie, but Emily…
He pulled over and called Lily.
“It’s me,” he said. “I told Emily. About us, about Daniel. And guess what… Sophie isn’t mine. There was someone else.”
Lily laughed down the line.
“What a pair! Even score. At least the kids don’t need to know. You won’t tell Daniel?”
“No,” he sighed. “He’s got a father. We both lied… Goodbye, Lily.”
At home, Emily waited in the hall, eyesHe looked at her, the woman he’d built a life with, and whispered, “We start over.” .
