Emma was preparing dinner, expecting her husband, James, to return in an hour. Their ten-year-old daughter, Sophie, was at her dance class. Shed be back soon, tossing her bag aside and eagerly waiting for dinner while chattering about her friends, her progress, and her teacher. Emma smiled. She always loved listening to her daughters stories.
The doorbell rang. Too early for Jameshe had his keys. Sophie must have forgotten hers again. Emma opened the door, but instead of her daughter, a young woman stood there.
I wont drag this out. Im your husbands mistress. Weve been seeing each other for years. Dont look so shockedits true.
Years? How many?
Three. It suited me fineliving alone but having a man who visited. No expenses, financial or domestic. I never cooked, cleaned, or did his laundry. And Im not about to change now.
Then why are you here?
Im pregnant. An accident, but too late to do anything about it.
Emma remembered how hard it had been for them to conceive. She was fine, but James had fertility issues. Theyd turned to IVF. The first attempt failed, but the second brought Sophie. Now this.
You think nothing will change? Youll have a husband who visits and a father who what? Pops in to raise his child?
No. Ill have a husband and a child who visit. The baby stays with himI never wanted children.
And James told you he couldnt have any?
Well, clearly he can! I need to see the conditions my child will grow up in. Thats only fair.
Fair? Sophie is yours, and James helped raise her, even if he isnt her biological father. Now you expect me to raise his child?
I didnt invite you in, and I dont even know your name. But James doesnt live here anymore. Take his things and go.
Emma moved to shut the door but frozeSophie stood there, just back from dance.
Mum, what was that? What baby? And Dads not my father?
You heard everything? Then its time you knew.
Im not little anymore, Mum. Im almost eleven. I can handle it.
Emma explained everything.
So Im your daughter, but Dad loves me, even if hes not really my dad. And now hes having another baby, but you wont be its mum. I wont be its sister. Right?
Yes thats right.
Then I dont want him here either. Ill help you, Mum. He can go live with her.
James arrived right on schedule.
Whats going on? No welcome hugs today?
Sophie usually ran to greet him, but now she stayed in her room.
Emma, wheres Sophie? Late at dance?
Your mistress came by. Shes pregnant. With your child. Care to explain?
Emma, its my child. I cant abandon it.
And you know her plan? She wont raise itshe expects you to.
I know. But Sophies ours. Now therell be another. Its my childit should live with me.
Yours? Remember your diagnosis?
Exceptions happen!
Lovely. Go live with your exception. Pack your things and leave.
Emma, no! They dont want me there. Not like this.
No one wants you here either. Go.
What about Sophie? Im her father in every way that matters. Whats wrong with raising my real child here too?
Her mother already lectured me on fairness. First, prove its yours. Then talk. Goodbye.
Emma divorced James. The flat belonged to her parents, so he had to leave. His mistress preferred their arrangementshe wasnt changing her life for a baby.
She had no intention of sleepless nights, nappies, or illnesses. After the birth, she sued for child supportand lost. Whether shes raising the child at all remains unknown. Jamess diagnosis hadnt changedthe baby wasnt his.
Sophie, his legal daughter, refuses to speak to him. He pays child support, begs for reconciliation, but Emma wont have him back.
Turns out, sitting on two chairs with one backside isnt as easy as some think.
What would you do in their place? Share your thoughts below.
