I cant believe this! My best friend is Alexs father? Ive raised that boy for over four yearshow could he not be mine?
Emily and James had loved each other since school. After graduation, James enrolled in a prestigious flight academy in another city while Emily stayed behind. They called each other every day, clinging to their bond.
But when James began his pilot training, Emily grew jealous of the glamorous cabin crew. She traveled to his city to reconcile, and they spent a perfect night whispering promises of love. Yet, the next morning, she saw a message from one of his flight attendantsasking about his next shift, saying how much calmer she felt flying with him.
Of course, jealousy won. Emily stormed out in tears.
Months later, James was offered a lucrative overseas contractcareer-defining, life-changing. He hesitated to tell Emily, knowing hed have to leave for a year. But before he could, she revealed she was pregnant.
He proposed. They married in a lavish ceremony, half the town celebrating with them. The overseas job was forgottenEmily refused.
After the wedding, James moved them to London. When their son was born, they took out a mortgage on a spacious flat, his mother helping with the deposit. James worked tirelesslylong hours to pay the bills, to provide.
If Id taken that contract, I wouldnt be stuck grinding like this! Id be at the top by now!
Oh, sure, Jamie! While Im home with the baby, youd be off gallivanting with air hostesses? Emily snapped.
Youre suffocating me with this jealousy! If Im with you, Im with *you*no one else!
The fights never stopped. After every flight, shed pouncechecking his phone, searching for proof. Three years in, James quit flying to become an instructor, driving a cab on weekends just to keep the peace.
He gave up his dream for her. He tried to be the perfect father. The perfect husband.
Then, one day, he missed a mortgage payment. Digging through paperwork for the bank, he found the contractand beneath it, a paternity test.
*Child: Alex Jameson. Alleged Father: Andrew Bennett. Probability of Paternity: 99.9%.*
His hands shook. Andrew? My best friend? The betrayal cut deep. Four years of love, of sacrificefor a lie.
When Emily came home, she kissed him, but he barely reacted.
Sweetheart, whats wrong? she laughed nervously.
Dinner first. Then Alex and I are going to the park.
Jamie, talk to me! Did something happen at work?
I dont want to. He walked away.
She followed, desperate. Im your *wife*! You owe me an explanation!
Do I? His voice was ice. You let me throw my life awayfor a son who isnt even mine.
Her face paled. *He knows.*
Two months passed in silence. James couldnt bear to look at her. How could Andrewhis *brother*keep this from him?
Andrew had always fancied Emily, never hiding it. But before the wedding, hed married someone else, resigned to never having her. Yet at every gathering, he danced with Emilynever his own wife.
Jamess mother had noticed. You and Andrew wouldve made a lovely pair, she once mused.
Emily had laughed it off. Dont be absurd! I love your son. We have a *child* together.
But his mother saw the truth. Alex had Andrews birthmark. His mannerisms. Shed secretly arranged the testcollecting Andrews glass, the babys cup.
One evening, she confronted Emily. I *knew* it! How could you betray my son? Does Andrew even *know* he has a child?
Emily broke down. It was one night! James and I were fightingI was drunk, I wasnt thinking! Andrew said to forget it ever happened. When I got pregnant, I *swore* Alex was Jamies. Then your test Please, dont destroy our lives!
His mother left in tearsbut the secret stayed buried.
Until now.
James packed his things while Emily was at work. Left behind only a remote-control car on Alexs bed.
Mummy, wheres Daddy? the boy asked.
Hes away for work. She ran to the balcony and sobbed.
She called James, begging. Please, lets talk!
Theres nothing left to say. Ill always love AlexIll support him. But I cant live with you. You lied for *years*. I gave up *everything* for you.
Jamie, *please*
He hung up.
When he came to collect Alex for the weekend, she tried again. Remember that fightover the flight attendant? I went out with friends, got drunk. Andrew was there. I dont even remember how it happened. I wanted to tell you, but I was terrified. And then Andrew got marriedhe said to pretend it never happened. When I found out I was pregnant, I *believed* Alex was yours. But your mother *She* knew. Its Andrews fault! He always envied you! Forgive me, *please*!
James shook his head. No.
He returned to flying. Filed for divorce. Sent gifts from every country he visited. Andrew never learned the truthhe and his wife moved abroad.
One reckless night had shattered everything. Trust. Love. A brotherhood.
Emily kept the flat. The money. The car. Alex went to the best school. She had *everything*except the man she loved.
She tried to win James back, but he was done. He rebuilt his career, reached the heights hed dreamed ofyet love eluded him. He couldnt trust again.
Was she right to hide the truth? What would *you* have done?
