Julia was just finishing up dinner, expecting her husband, Alex, back in an hour. Their ten-year-old daughter, Emily, was at her dance class and would be home soontossing her bag down, chattering about her friends, her progress, her teacher. Julia smiled to herself. She always loved hearing Emilys stories.
Then the doorbell rang. Too early for Alexhe had his keys. Must be Emily, forgetting hers again. Julia opened the door, but instead of her daughter, a young woman stood there.
“Lets not drag this out. Im your husbands mistress. Weve been seeing each other for years. Yes! No need to gawk or faint.”
“Years? How many?”
“Three. It suited me fineliving alone but having a man who drops by. No expenses, no chores. I didnt cook, clean, or do his laundry. And Im not about to start now.”
“I wouldnt even be here, exceptIm pregnant. An accident, but too late now.”
Julia remembered how hard it had been to conceive. Shed been fine, but Alex had fertility issues. Theyd turned to IVF. The first round failed, but the second gave them Emily. Shed even hoped for twinscommon with IVF. Now this.
“So youre not changing anything? Youll have a part-time husband and expect him to be a part-time father?”
“No. Ill have a husband and child who drop by. Thats all.”
“Interesting. Hows that work? He raises the kid, then visits you so they can bond?”
“Exactly. I never wanted a childthis was an accident.”
“Alex told me he couldnt have kids.”
“Well, apparently he can! I just wanted to see where my child would grow up. Fairs fair.”
“Your daughter is yours, and Alex helps raise her, even if hes not her father. Now hell have his own child, and youll be stuck raising it.”
“Love, I dont even know your name, and frankly, I dont care. Your man doesnt live here anymore. Take his things and go.”
Julia moved to shut the door but frozeEmily was home, standing there, just back from dance.
“Mum, what was that? What baby? And why isnt Dad my father?”
“You heard everything? Then its time you knew.”
“Mum, Im nearly eleven. Ill understand.”
Julia explained it all.
“So Im yours, but Dad loves mehes my father on paper. You both wanted me.”
“And now hes having another baby, but you wont be its mum. I wont be its sister. Right?”
“Well yes. And youre grown up now. I dont want to live with Dad anymore.”
“Ill help you, Mum. Dont worry. Im big enough. Let him go. I love you, but that woman Let him be with her.”
Alex walked in right on schedule.
“Whats going on? No welcome hug?”
Usually, Emily would greet him, but silence hung in the air. She stayed in her room.
“Julia, wheres Emily? Late at dance?”
“Your mistress came by. Shes pregnant. Yours. Care to explain?”
“Julia, listenits my child. I cant abandon it.”
“And you know what shes proposing?”
“I do. She didnt want it, but We have Emily. Now therell be another. My child! Itll live with me.”
“Really? Yours? Remember your diagnosis?”
“Exceptions happen!”
“Brilliant. Go live with the mother and your exception. Leave now. Get your things later.”
“No, Julia! You cant do this! They dont want me there. Not like this.”
“Well, youre not wanted here either. Go.”
“What about Emily? Im her fathernot biologically, but I raised her. Whats wrong with my real child living with us?”
“Your mistress already gave me her version of fair. Find out if its even yours first. Goodbye.”
Julia divorced Alex. He had to leavethe flat was in her parents name. Theyd built a house but never transferred the deed. Not that it wouldve mattered.
Now Alex had nowhere to go. The part-time arrangement had suited his mistress fineshe wasnt changing her lifestyle. And she had no intention of raising the child. Playtime, yes. Nappies, sleepless nights, illnesses? No thanks.
After the birth, she sued for child support but lost. No one knows how shes managing. Alexs diagnosis hadnt changedpaternity was never confirmed.
On paper, he has one daughter. But Emily wont speak to him. He pays support, begs for reconciliation, but Julias done with him.
Turns out, sitting on two chairs with one backside isnt as easy as it seems.
What do you reckon? Drop your thoughts below.
