I cant believe it! My best friend is Alexs father! Ive raised that boy for over four years, never once doubting he wasnt mine.
Emily and Victor had been in love since their school days. After graduation, Victor moved to another city to study at a prestigious aviation university, while Emily stayed behind. They called each other every day without fail.
When Victor began his pilot training, Emily grew jealous of the glamorous flight attendants he worked with. During a visit to reconcile, they spent a perfect night together, whispering sweet words of love. But the next morning, Emily saw a message from one of his colleagues, asking when his next flight was and how much calmer she felt flying with him.
Of course, jealousy took over. Emily lashed out, left in tears, and returned home.
Soon after, Victor was offered a lucrative job abroadgreat prospects, excellent pay. He agonised over how to tell Emily hed have to leave for a year. But before he could, she revealed she was pregnant.
Victor proposed, and they married in a lavish ceremony attended by half the town. The overseas opportunity vanishedEmily refused to let him go. After the wedding, they moved to London, where they took out a hefty mortgage on a flat with help from Victors mother. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family.
If Id gone abroad for that year, I wouldnt be stuck in this grind! Id be climbing the career ladder by now! he once snapped.
Oh, of course, Vic! Emily shot back. While I raise our child, youd be off gallivanting with new women on your flights?
You exhaust me with your jealousy! If Im with you, Im with youno one else!
Their fights became daily, especially after his flights. Emily would interrogate him, check his phone, searching for proof of betrayal. After three years, Victor left flying to become an instructor at the aviation college, driving a cab on weekends to make ends meet.
He sacrificed his dreams for her peace of mind, striving to be the best husband and father.
One day, Victor missed a mortgage payment. While searching for the paperwork to sort it with the bank, he found more than he bargained forbeneath the documents lay a paternity test.
What on earth is this? he muttered.
The results were clear: Child Alex Victor Townsend. Alleged Father Andrew Michael Bennett. Probability of Paternity 99%.
I cant believe it! My best friend is Alexs father! All these years, Ive raised a son who isnt mine.
Stunned, Victor didnt know how to confront Emily.
Hello, love! she greeted him with a kiss later that evening, but he barely acknowledged her.
Alex, lets eat. Then well go to the park, he said, ignoring Emilys puzzled stare.
Whats wrong? What did I do now? she laughed nervously.
Not now. He stood and walked away.
Emily followed, demanding answers. Talk to me! Im your wife! Whats going on?
Oh, now you care? Victor snapped. I gave up everything for you! My dreams, my freedomeven my own mother I barely see! And all this time, you knew!
Emilys face paled. He knows? But how?
Two months passed in icy silence. Victor avoided her, haunted by betrayalnot just from Emily, but from Andrew, his closest friend.
Andrew had always fancied Emilyhe never hid it. Months before their wedding, hed married someone else, accepting Emily would never be his. Yet at every gathering, he danced with her, not his own wife.
Victors mother, Margaret, once remarked, You and Andrew wouldve made a lovely couple, Emily.
Emily laughed it off. Dont be silly! Im married to your son! We have a child, and we love each other!
Margaret wasnt convinced. Then why do you always turn to Andrew for help, never Victor?
Because Victors always at work! Emily retorted. Andrews kindhe never says no.
Margaret had suspected the truth since Alex was born, noticing the same birthmark on his neck as Andrews. Over time, the resemblance grew undeniable. She secretly arranged the paternity test, collecting a glass Andrew had used and a strand of Alexs hair.
One evening, she confronted Emily.
I warned you! How could you deceive my son? Does Andrew even know he has a child? Youve ruined Victors life!
Emily broke down. Please, dont destroy us! It was one stupid nightVictor and I were fighting, I was upset, and Andrew was there. I thought Alex was Victors! When your test proved otherwise, I hid it, terrified of losing everything!
Margaret left in tears, heartbroken for her son but unwilling to shatter Alexs life.
Emily, panicking, stuffed the test results deep in a drawer, praying Victor would never look.
Weeks later, she resolved to confess. But when she returned home, Victor was goneonly a remote-control car left on Alexs bed.
Mummy, wheres Daddy? Alex asked.
Hes away for work, sweetheart. Emily rushed to the balcony and wept.
She called Victor, pleading. Please, lets talk!
Theres nothing left to say, he replied coldly. I loved you. Trusted you. You destroyed that. Ill always care for Alex, but I cant live with you.
When Alex missed his father, Victor took him for weekends. Emily begged for forgiveness during one exchange.
Remember that fight over the flight attendant? After, I went out with friends, got drunk, and ended up at Andrews. I wanted to tell you, but I was scared. I thought Alex was yours. Andrew made me swear to forget it ever happened. Your mothers test proved otherwise. Im so sorry!
Victors voice was steel. No forgiveness. Ever.
He returned to flying, filed for divorce, and sent gifts to Alex from his travels. Andrew, never told the truth, moved abroad with his wife.
Emily kept the flat, the money, the car. Alex attended the best schools. She had everythingexcept love.
She tried endlessly to win Victor back, but he refused. He struggled to trust again, though in time, he achieved the career heights hed always dreamed of.
One reckless night had shattered trust, love, and friendship.
In the end, Emily learned the hardest lesson: secrets buried in deception never stay hiddenand the cost of lies is always paid by the heart.
