Emily and her friend were strolling through the park when they suddenly spotted a man and a woman. They stood embracing, and he whispered something into her ear. The woman smiled blissfully. Emily stared at them with wide eyes, unable to look away.
“Emily, whats wrong? Emily!” her friend exclaimed in surprise.
“Nothing. Lets go,” Emily said abruptly.
The girls said their goodbyes. As Emily walked home, she couldnt believe what shed just seen.
“Dad, how could you? How could you do this to Mum?” she whispered, refusing to accept the truth.
Earlier, Emily and her friend Lizzie had finished their classes. Not wanting to go straight home, Emily suggested, “Lizzie, lets take a walk in the park!”
“Alright, while its still light out,” Lizzie agreed.
The park wasnt on their usual route, but why not enjoy the evening?
They wandered down the tree-lined path, watching enviously as happy couples passed by, lost in their own worlds. No one paid them any mind.
Turning onto a quieter path, they saw the couple againthe man whispering to the woman, who beamed with delight. Though his back was turned, his greying hair gave away his age.
Lizzie barely glanced at them, but then she noticed Emilys stunned expression.
“Emily, whats going on? Emily!”
“Its just Never mind. Lets go,” Emily muttered, quickening her pace.
They left the park. Emily stayed silent, lost in thought, until they parted ways.
Walking home, her head bowed, she replayed the sceneher father, oblivious to everything, even his own daughter standing nearby.
“Dad, how could you? Ive always thought you were wonderful. And now this? How could you betray Mum?” she wondered, heart heavy.
When she arrived home, her mother called from the kitchen, “Sit down, dinners ready! You and your father are never on time.”
“In a minute, just washing my hands!” Emily replied awkwardly.
She lingered in the bathroom, avoiding the inevitable. Her father still wasnt home. After eating, she retreated to her room, staring blankly at her laptop, the image of her father and that woman burned into her mind.
“Is lying and cheating just normal for adults? Whats missing in his life? Would he really leave us for her?” A thought struck hermaybe the woman didnt even know she existed.
The front door clicked open.
“Sorry, love, long day,” her fathers voice carried in.
“Seems like every days long these days,” her mother retorted, the tension rising.
As always, he came to kiss Emily goodnight, but she pushed him away.
“Go, before your dinner gets cold!”
“Sweetheart, whats wrong?”
“Nothing. But what about you?”
He studied her, hesitated, then headed to the kitchen.
Later, Emily lay awake, formulating a plan.
The next morning, she heard her parents arguing.
“William, where are you off to?”
“Work. Urgent matter.”
“Its Saturday. Couldnt you spend it with us?”
“Ill be back by lunch, and well do something together.”
Emily emerged, pretending to yawn.
“Where are you going?” her mother demanded.
“Studying, Mum. Im already late.”
Her father offered to walk her.
“Have some tea first!” her mother insisted.
“Ill wait,” he said kindly.
Emily gulped her tea and rushed out.
As they walked, he asked, “Are you upset with me?”
“No, Dad. Maybe its just my age,” she paused. “I love you, Dad.”
“I love you too.”
“More than anything?”
He hesitated but nodded. “More than anything.”
They smiled, but neither met the others gaze.
At the corner, she said, “See you at lunch. You promised wed spend the day together.”
She watched him walk away, then followed at a distance.
He didnt go to work. Instead, he stopped outside a flat, called, and soon a woman emerged. Emilys heart sank.
She was beautifulwas she really worth losing his family over?
They walked to a secluded bench, deep in conversation before kissing. Emilys anger flared.
When they returned to the flat, she waited, resolved.
Spotting the woman taking out the rubbish, Emily blocked her path.
“Hello!”
The woman startled. “Can I help you?”
“If you meet William again, youll regret it.”
“Who are you?”
“His daughter. Call him now. Tell him youre done.”
The woman dialled.
“Diana, whats wrong?” her fathers voice crackled.
“William, we cant see each other anymore.”
“Why?”
“You have a family. Im leaving town after graduation.”
“Diana, if thats what you”
“Goodbye, William.”
Later, Emily found her parents chatting over lunch.
“Youre in a good mood,” her mother remarked.
“Dad, do you love me?” Emily asked.
“Of course.”
“And Mum?”
A pause. Then, firmly: “Yes. I love your mother.”
Emily grinned. “Good. Because we love you too.”
Her father smiled, relief softening his features.
