**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 Brighton. “Our Sophie wants us to meet Theo, her boyfriend!”
Leonard sighed heavily. His little girl had grown up—already had a fiancé. How quickly time flew! Theo turned out to be charming: clever, well-read, with an easy smile. Leonard liked him, and Emily approved too. Sophie glowed with happiness—everything had gone perfectly. But one day, while wandering through the shopping centre in search of a gift for Emily, Leonard heard a voice that made his heart stop.
For two years, Leonard had led a double life. He’d met Victoria by chance when she lightly brushed against his car in a car park. The scratch was trivial, but Victoria apologized so sincerely that she convinced him to join her in a nearby café.
Leonard agreed. There was something magnetic about this delicate, lively woman. She turned out to be lonely yet cheerful, with a spark in her eyes. Their conversation stretched on.
They started meeting at her place. Leonard confessed immediately that he was married. Victoria didn’t care—she’d fallen for his confident, distinguished presence.
With Emily, he’d been married seven years. She was warm, nurturing, their Brighton flat a cosy refuge. Both earned well, but the absence of children cast a shadow. Doctors shrugged—everything was fine, yet no miracle came.
Leonard never planned to leave—he was content. He saw Victoria when his schedule allowed, careful not to neglect Emily. Perhaps it eased his guilt?
“Alex, I’m pregnant,” Victoria stunned him one evening. “Time to choose: us or your wife. I’m tired of uncertainty.”
Leonard froze. They’d always been careful—he thought he was safe. Children outside his marriage weren’t part of the plan. Yet something had gone wrong.
“How did this happen?” he rasped. “We were careful.”
“Nothing’s foolproof,” she shrugged.
“I want children,” he said. “But not like this. Give me time to think.”
Driving home, he resolved to confess to Emily and file for divorce. Honesty was the only way. He couldn’t stay with her while his child grew elsewhere. Hiding and lying had drained him.
Leonard entered the flat with resolve—but Emily met him with shining eyes.
“Alex, why so stiff?” she exclaimed. “I saw the doctor today. We’re having a baby! Finally! I’m so happy, you can’t imagine!”
Her joy was infectious. Leonard hadn’t seen her like this in years.
“Seriously? That’s… amazing,” he exhaled, masking his turmoil.
He wasn’t lying—the news staggered him. Two pregnancies in one day? How could he tell Emily about Victoria? Why now?
By morning, Leonard knew: he’d stay with Emily. Victoria would have to go. He couldn’t—wouldn’t—live between two homes with his children. He had to convince her not to keep the baby.
That evening, he sat in her kitchen as she poured fragrant tea.
“Vicky, listen,” he began. “Emily told me she’s pregnant. Years without a child, and now… I can’t leave her. But I’ll help with… the procedure. You’re young—you’ll find a good man, have his children. I’m not cut out for two families.”
Victoria listened silently, no tears, no reproach.
“I understand,” she said calmly. “I’ll book it tomorrow. I don’t want to see you again. Be happy with your wife. Leave. And keep your money.”
Leonard clenched his jaw. An impossible situation. He left without another word, the door slamming behind him.
Twenty-two years passed.
“Alex, don’t be late tonight,” Emily reminded. “Sophie’s bringing Theo. I’ve heard so much—it’s time we meet him. Just… no interrogations. Sophie’s in love, and I hope he’s worthy.”
Leonard smiled. His Sophie was all grown up now, with a fiancé. To him, she’d always be the little girl with pigtails, her first steps, her first tooth etched in his heart.
Sophie had been a fragile baby. Emily was the perfect mother, doting on her. Their daughter had her features—the same eyes, hair, grace.
Leonard had found peace. He had everything: a loving wife, a daughter, stability. He rarely thought of Victoria, hoping she’d moved on.
Theo made a good impression—sharp, well-read, studying with Sophie at university. He lived with his parents but dreamed of his own place. Leonard approved; Emily did too. Sophie beamed—her choice was welcomed.
Then one day, browsing for Emily’s birthday gift in the mall, Leonard decided to grab a coffee.
“Hello, Leonard,” came a familiar voice. “Enjoying your meal?”
He turned—and nearly choked. Standing before him were Theo and… Victoria.
She’d hardly aged, just softened slightly.
“Mum, this is Sophie’s father, Leonard,” said Theo. “This is my mum, Victoria.”
Victoria awkwardly extended her hand.
“Pleasure,” she murmured.
“Likewise,” Leonard forced out.
“Be back in half an hour,” Theo said, leaving.
Victoria sat opposite him.
“Congratulations, Alex,” she said quietly.
“Is that your son? You’re married?” he asked, grappling with reality.
“Yes, my son. Married. I didn’t know Sophie was your daughter. Theo never mentioned her surname. Small world…”
“Too small,” Leonard exhaled.
“Alex,” Victoria hesitated. “I’d never say this, but I have to. Our children can’t be together.”
“Why?” he frowned. “You haven’t forgiven me? But this isn’t about us. They’re in love!”
“God, you don’t understand,” she met his gaze. “Theo is your son.”
Leonard went still.
“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. Theo thinks my husband’s his father, carries his name. He knows nothing about you. So now what? How do we tell them?”
“I don’t know,” Leonard stammered. “Bloody soap opera. Let’s think. Call me. Here’s my number.”
He sat on a bench outside, turning options over. Only one path remained: the truth, however painful.
Emily was ironing when he returned.
“Where were you?” she asked. “Dinner’s cold. Sophie’s out with Theo.”
“Em, we need to talk,” he said heavily. “This is hard.”
She switched off the iron. “What’s wrong?”
“Years ago, there was another woman,” he began. “She got pregnant. I nearly left, 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. Today, at the mall… Theo’s mother is her. Theo’s my son.”
Emily clutched her head, pacing.
“How?” she whispered. “Your son…”
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I was a fool. Didn’t appreciate you. There’s been no one since, I swear. But how do we tell Sophie? Of all the men, she chose him?”
“Alex,” Emily stopped. “Don’t tell her.”
“What? They’re brother and sister! What if they marry?”
“Seems it’s confession night,” she laughed bitterly. “Sophie’s not your daughter.”
Leonard scoffed, thinking it a joke. “Whose is she?”
“I had an affair back then,” Emily admitted. “With a colleague. We’d grown apart, remember? He was attentive, caring. I gave in. I wanted a child, and you didn’t seem to care. I’m certain—Sophie’s his. That month, we weren’t together. With him, it was… frequent. So Sophie and Theo aren’t related.”
“You—lied to me?” Leonard choked.
“I’m sorry,” she looked away. “I never meant to say it. I wanted a baby, a family. Ended it with him straight after. He moved abroad—no contact since. Now it’s your turn to forgive.”
Leonard snatched his keys and stormed out. He drove through the night, numb. Sophie—not his. Emily’s deceit spanned decades. How could he face this? He’d never stop loving Sophie, but Emily…
Pulling over, he called Victoria.
“Vicky,” he said hoarsely. “I told Emily. About us, about Theo. And guess what? Sophie’s not mine. Emily had someone else.”
Victoria laughed down the line. “What a pair you are! Even-steven. At least the kids never need to know. You won’t tell Theo?”
“No. He has a father,” Leonard sighed. “We both lied… Goodbye, Vicky.”
Returning home,He walked inside, saw Emily’s tear-streaked face, and realized some wounds never fully heal, but perhaps—just perhaps—they could learn to live with them.
