Dad didnt keep his promise, Natalie told her daughter, choosing her words carefully. Sometimes adults act more foolishly than children.
Dad doesnt want to introduce me to his girlfriend, does he? Sophie asked, her voice low.
I dont think its a matter of unwillingness, Natalie replied. Perhaps they havent figured out how to organise everything yet, or maybe Aunt Olivia is shy.
Why would she be shy? Im not a monster, Sophie protested.
Other peoples children are a responsibility. Not everyone is ready for that, Natalie said.
In the hallway Natalie watched Sophie hurriedly gather her things for the meeting with her father.
Sophies phone buzzed. She snatched it up, glanced at the screen, and her face fell.
Wont he come? Natalie asked.
He said work is swamped, Sophie muttered without looking up. Next time then.
Got it. Get dressed, Natalie said.
Natalie slipped into the kitchen, turned on the kettle and let the hiss of boiling water drown out her thoughts. It had been eight years since the divorce, and David remained a master at souring the mood.
The first three years of their marriage had felt like a fairytale: spontaneous bouquets, breakfast in bed, little gifts. Natalie believed shed drawn a lucky ticket.
When she became pregnant, David would carry her around the house. But in the delivery room the first warning sounded, and she brushed it aside.
The doctor filled out Sophies birth record while David stood nearby, pale and nervous. He had been present for the birth.
What blood group does she have? David asked.
The girls second factor is negative, the doctor replied matteroffactly.
David frowned. How can that be? My first is positive, Natalies second is positive.
Where does the minus come from? Youve got it wrong.
The doctor removed his glasses, rubbed his nose. Remember school biology, David. The Rh factor is tricky. If both parents carry a hidden negative gene, the child can be negative. Its normal.
Are you sure? No mistake? David squinted.
The tests dont lie.
David called Natalie a hundred times, demanding an explanation. Natalie repeated the doctors words, sent him the information. He seemed to calm down, but
The trouble began after David left the hospital. He changed.
He was diabetic, and Natalie had always monitored his diet, reminding him about insulin. Suddenly he started acting like a teenager eager for freedom.
Im off to football, he announced, grabbing his bag.
David, which football? Your sugar is spiking, the doctor said you must stick to a regime.
Dont start with me. Im a grown man, I need to move. Your caring is suffocating me.
He returned home late, one night trembling, face pale, sweating a hypoglycaemic episode. Natalie, ignoring Sophies cries, rushed to him with juice and glucose tablets.
Where have you been? she asked as he recovered.
I told you, at football. Ran late.
Until two in the morning?
We talked after, it was fine. Youre starting again? Its normal.
Natalie wanted to believe, or at least pretend to. She sat alone, soothing the tiny baby, convincing herself it was just a crisis, that he was simply tired. When she grows up everything will settle
It didnt. The phone rang repeatedly in the evenings, former colleagues accountants, managers checking in. Natalie had been friendly with everyone while she worked.
Hey Nat, you busy? one of them asked.
Hi, all good. Whats up?
Just wondering is David staying late at the office tonight?
Probably. Why?
Just you know hes out with a new girl, Veronica, laughing all night.
The gossip dripped like cold water. Natalie felt a chill in her fingers. Kat, stop. Maybe its just a work project. She hung up, huffing. She told herself David still loved her, he was just sociable. She laughed it off, but a quiet anxiety grew. A year and a half after Sophies birth, everything collapsed.
Natalie was invited to a major company gala. The grandparents agreed to look after Sophie. She chose a dress that, in her mind, covered the postbirth changes, applied makeup, and hoped the night would remind her she was still part of a world beyond nappies and porridge.
She arrived with David, but he vanished into the crowd. Ill go say hello to the team, he called, disappearing.
Natalie mingled, accepted compliments, but kept scanning for him. Hours passed, and still no sign. She checked the hall, the lobby empty. She slipped into a quieter corridor near a side exit and saw them at last. They werent kissing; they simply stood in the dim light beside a large ficus. Olivia whispered something, lightly touching the lapel of his jacket. David leaned his head onto her shoulder, smiling with the same grin he had once given Natalie.
The scene hit Natalie like a bucket of ice water. She didnt scream or cause a scene; she turned, left the venue, called a taxi, and drove home to Sophie.
David returned at dawn, adjusting his tie. Why did you leave? he asked.
Natalie met his eyes, knowing there was nothing to say.
I saw you behind the ficus, she said.
He paused, then waved a hand. Oh, come on. We were just chatting. Youre being paranoid, Nat.
Enough, she whispered. Just stop.
The following month was a haze. Living together felt like a physical ache. When David finally packed his belongings, saying he needed space because she was too nervous, the apartment seemed to breathe easier.
The divorce proceeded swiftly. David vanished from her radar. He didnt call for a whole year. Sophie, two and a half, occasionally asked, Wheres Daddy? and Natalie answered calmly, Hes at work. She wasnt lying; she simply didnt elaborate.
Natalies mother helped with Sophie, and Natalie threw herself into work, determined not to rely on anyone. Money was enough; they lived separately, took holidays, and she refused to claim child support, unwilling to chase paperwork or endure humiliation. Pride, perhaps, or a stubborn refusal to be dependent.
Then one evening David called. Im a father, he declared. I have a right to see my child.
Natalie didnt block him. Fine, come Saturday, she said. He began turning up sporadically, paying for Sophies ballet and English lessons. It was his way of ticking the good dad box; he didnt engage with the deeper issues.
Sophie adored him. To her, he was the holidaymaker: gifts, movies, cafés. How much does a child need? Natalie thought philosophically at least a father, even a flawed one, was better than none.
One afternoon Sophie slipped into the kitchen in a worn Tshirt, eyes rimmed red. Mum, why does he act like that? she asked quietly.
What do you mean, love?
He promises things and never keeps them. She swallowed.
Natalie sighed. People are different, Sophie. Dad isnt cruel; he just cant plan ahead.
He blamed you for it on the phone, Sophie blurted suddenly.
Natalie froze, cup in hand. What?
He said, Your mum always messes up plans, thats why I cant meet you.
Natalie set her cup down slowly. Sophie, have I ever stopped you from seeing your dad?
No.
Have I ever spoken badly about him?
No.
Then decide for yourself whose words you trust the facts or the empty promises.
The story of the new aunt had been dragging on for six months. Sophie once came home from a weekend with her dad and said, Dad lives with Aunt Olivia. Shes beautiful, Ive seen photos, they have a cat.
Natalie had simply shrugged. They live together, thats all. Sophie, however, wanted to meet her.
Mum, I want to be friends with her. Dad says shes nice, Sophie pleaded.
Natalie called David. Sophie knows about your girlfriend. She wants to meet her. What do you think?
A pause. Im not sure maybe its too early. Lets talk later.
Later stretched into a month. David would promise introductions, then backtrack. She really wants to meet Sophie! he had said a week earlier. Lets go to the park next weekend, or a pizza place.
Okay, Natalie agreed, arranging a meeting.
Then another cancellation. Natalie stepped onto the balcony, phone pressed to her ear, needing a private conversation.
Hello, Nat, Im busy, what do you want? Davids tone was irritated, music faintly playing in the background.
Busy? You just told Sophie you had a workload at work. I hear music. Are you in a bar?
Im at a meeting, he snapped. I have a right to relax.
Sure, just dont lie to the child. And dont say Im the reason your meeting fell through.
Whos to blame? David shot back. Youre always meddling, dictating when you pick her up, when you drop her off. Youre crushing me. Olivia is scared to get involved because youre unreasonable.
Unreasonable? Natalie laughed. David, lets stick to facts. Sophie waited an hour. You called at the last minute. Is that my fault?
Or maybe Olivia simply doesnt want to meet your child, and you cant admit youre a coward.
Dont speak about Olivia like that! he roared. She wants to! Its just circumstances.
What circumstances? This is the fifth time.
David, stop confusing the girl. If your partner isnt ready to interact with a child from a previous marriage, thats her choice. Have the courage to tell Sophie the truth, or devise a better excuse than blaming me.
You always make things harder, he muttered. You cant even find a decent man, so youre angry that my life is fine.
He hung up.
That night, after Sophie fell asleep, Natalie replayed the conversation in her head. She was fed up with smoothing over the edges. She typed a message to David:
From now on, all arrangements must go through me, with at least a 24hour notice. If you promise Sophie something and cancel at the last minute, the next meeting will be postponed for a month. I wont let you turn her into a nervous wreck. If you want to introduce her to Olivia, give a firm date, time and place. If Olivia doesnt want that, the matter is closed. Ill explain it to Sophie myself. No more later or maybe. Good night.
His reply arrived within a minute: I dont care! Those meetings are more useful to you than to me.
Natalie then barred David from seeing Sophie without a court order. He never pursued legal action it would cost time and money, and his new flame wasnt interested in a stepdaughter.
Sophie suffered, but Natalie did everything she could to ensure her daughter never felt shortchanged.
In the end, Natalie realised that promises are cheap, but integrity is priceless. She taught Sophie that trusting actions over words builds a sturdier foundation for any relationship. The lesson lingered: we may not control others behaviour, but we can choose how we respond, and in doing so, we protect the ones we love.
