Emily and her friend strolled through the park when suddenly they spotted a man and a woman embracing. He whispered something into her ear, and she smiled dreamily. Emily stared, wide-eyed, unable to look away. “Emily, what’s wrong? Emily!” her friend gasped. “It’s nothing. Let’s 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?” Her mind reeled with disbelief.
Earlier, Emily had stepped out of her classes with her friend, not wanting to head straight home. “Lizzie, lets walk through the park!” she suggested. “Alright, while its still light,” Lizzie agreed.
The park wasnt on their way, but why not take a detour? They wandered down a quiet path, envying the happy couples lost in their own worlds. Then they turned a cornerand there they were, the man and woman, wrapped in each others arms. The man, though his back was turned, was clearly older. Lizzie barely glanced at them, but Emily froze, transfixed.
“Emily, whats the matter? Emily!”
“Nothing. Lets just go,” Emily muttered, hurrying ahead.
They left the park, Emily silent and withdrawn. After saying goodbye, she trudged home, her mind racing. The womans blissful face, the whispered wordshad her father even noticed his own daughter walking by?
“Dad, how could you? I thought you were perfect. But youve got someone else? I wouldnt have believed it if I hadnt seen it myself!”
When she finally arrived home, her mother snapped, “Sit down, dinners ready! You and your fathernever here when you should be.”
“Just washing my hands,” Emily mumbled, lingering in the bathroom. Her father still wasnt home. She ate in silence, then retreated to her room, unable to focus. The scene in the park played on loop.
“Adults lie. Adults cheat. Is that just how life is? Whats missing for him? Would he really leave us for” Then, a thought struck her.
“Does this woman even know I exist? Maybe she thinks she can just take him from us.”
The front door creaked open. “Sorry, lovelong day,” her father called.
“Your long days used to only happen at the end of the month,” her mother retorted.
“Joanna, not now.”
He came to kiss Emily goodnight, but she pushed him away. “Go eat before it gets cold.”
“Sweetheart, whats wrong?”
“Nothing. But what about you?”
Her father hesitated, then left.
Emily stayed up late, plotting how to win him back. She woke the next morning to her parents arguing. “Daniel, where are you going?”
“Work. Its urgent.”
“Its Saturday! Spend time with your family.”
“Ill be back by lunch, and well do something then.”
Emily yawned, pretending shed just woken. “Where are you off to?” her mother asked.
“Lessons. Im running late.”
“Honestly, youre all so busy these days!” her mother huffed, but Emily was already in the bathroom.
Her father waited in the hallway. “Let me walk you.”
“Emily, at least have some tea!” her mother called.
“Go on, Ill wait,” her father said, oddly cheerful.
Emily gulped her tea and dashed out. “Come on, Dad!”
They walked in silence until he finally asked, “Are you upset with me?”
“No, Dad. Teenage hormones, I guess,” she muttered, then added, “I love you, Dad.”
“I love you too, sweetheart.”
“More than anything?”
He stiffened, eyeing her suspiciously, but said, “More than anything.”
They smiled, but neither could hold the others gaze.
“Alright, Dad, this is my stop. See you at lunchyou promised wed spend the day together.”
Emily turned the corner, then doubled back, hiding behind bushes. Her father didnt look back. She followed himnot to work, but to an unfamiliar street.
He stopped by some trees, called someone, and minutes later, a woman emerged. Emilys breath caught. “Shes beautiful. Is she really worth more than Mum and me?”
The woman kissed him, and they strolled off arm in arm. Emily trailed them to a deserted square where they sat, talking seriously before kissing again. Her heart ached.
When they returned, the woman disappeared inside. Emily waited, seething. Then she spotted the woman taking out the trash.
“Hi,” Emily blocked her path.
“Hello? Can I help you?” the woman asked, puzzled.
“If you see Daniel again, Ill make you regret it.”
“Excuse me?”
“Call him. Now. Tell him its over. Im his daughter, and he loves my mother!”
The woman hesitated, then dialled. Emily heard her fathers voice: “Diana, whats wrong?”
“Daniel, we cant see each other anymore.”
“Why?”
“Youve got a family. Im leaving town after uni.”
“Diana, if thats what you” His voice held a strange relief.
“Goodbye, Daniel.”
When Emily got home, her parents were eating peacefully. “Why so happy?” her mother grumbled.
“Starving!” Emily chirped.
“Sweetheart, whats got you so cheerful?” her father asked.
“Dad, do you love me?”
“Of course.”
“And Mum?”
A pause. Then, firmly: “And your mother. I love you both.”
Emily beamed.
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