She had made up her mind.
*”Why aren’t you dressed yet?”* Tanya stood in the doorway, irritation simmering beneath her words. *”Have you forgotten what today is?”*
*”What’s today?”* David didn’t even glance up from the telly, lazily flicking through channels. *”Are we going somewhere?”*
*”We’re supposed to go to the hospital! Lucy’s had the baby—you heard! She’s the first in our group to be a mum. We have to congratulate her!”*
*”Congratulate her on what?”* He smirked, still clicking the remote. *”On sleepless nights? A screaming newborn? On her life never being her own again? Not exactly cause for celebration.”*
*”What are you even saying? You were the one who wanted kids! You talked about tiny feet running around the house. About little arms wrapping around your neck. You said—three, at least! Or was I dreaming?”*
*”Sure, I said it. But come on, it sounded good. Women love that sort of thing. You melted at the idea,”* David replied, unfazed.
Tanya sank onto the sofa, her face frozen in shock.
*”Well, I don’t want kids. What’s the big deal? Most blokes don’t. Ever think about living for yourself? Travel, hobbies, freedom… But no, you lot jump straight to nappies and settling down.”*
*”Will you take me or not?”* Her voice turned icy. She couldn’t hide the hurt—not today, of all days, when she’d planned to tell him the most important news of her life.
*”They’ll manage without us. I don’t want to watch all that daft cooing and crying. Go later. Maybe it’ll put you off the whole idea.”*
Without another word, Tanya walked to the bedroom. Fifteen minutes later, she emerged in a sleek, elegant outfit. The taxi was already waiting—thank God she wouldn’t have to listen to David’s gloomy remarks.
She had been so close to happiness… Just this morning, she’d seen those two lines on the test. She’d planned to give him the news tonight. But now… now she wasn’t sure he even deserved to know.
Tanya had always craved stability. She’d worked hard, graduated with honours, landed a brilliant job, earned her own flat—a gift from her parents. She’d done everything right. She was ready for a child. But the man she’d believed would be the father had turned out to be nothing more than a convincing actor.
David had seemed steady, dependable, serious. His age, his words, his views—all had filled her with certainty. Only today had the mask slipped.
*”I’ve made my decision,”* she whispered into the quiet of the cab. The driver, an older man with a quiet demeanour, glanced at her, appraising, then unexpectedly said, *”Congratulations.”*
Tanya was taken aback. She thanked him and hurried inside the hospital. There, glowing with joy, stood Lucy, cradling a tiny bundle. Her husband already held the baby, his arms a proud father’s embrace. The air hummed with love.
*”Congratulations, love!”* Tanya hugged her friend. *”What’s his name?”*
*”William, after his grandad. I want you to be godmother.”*
*”I’d love to,”* Tanya smiled, though her heart ached. Everything she wanted was right here—just not hers.
*”Something’s wrong,”* Lucy murmured when they stepped aside.
*”David lied. He doesn’t want kids. Said he did. And the worst part—I’m pregnant. Found out today. Now… now I have to choose.”*
*”Tanya, men are replaceable. But being a mum? That’s rare. My sister couldn’t have children. She cried—happy for me, heartbroken for herself. Don’t walk away from this.”*
*”I won’t. If he doesn’t change his mind, I’m gone. My parents will be over the moon to be grandparents.”*
David didn’t change his mind. Children were a burden, he said—a waste of energy, time, and money. Tanya didn’t argue. Inside, her choice was already made.
Three years later.
*”Oh! David!”* A former neighbour nearly collided with him at Heathrow. *”Congratulations on your son!”*
*”You’re mistaken. I don’t have children,”* he replied coolly.
*”What? I saw Tanya—with a pram. Baby’s about four months. I can do the maths.”*
David paled. He hadn’t known. Or hadn’t let himself know. And now… now it was too late.
*”Where is she? Where did you see her?”*
*”Not telling. Just bumped into her. So you’re one of those… the kind who walks away from his own child.”*
David stood rooted to the spot, the weight of loss crashing down. But by the time he found Tanya three years later, it was over. The boy called another man *Dad.* David couldn’t compete—not in love, not in action, not in heart.
The ending was inevitable. Tanya had chosen right.
