**Diary Entry 17th May**
Emily and her best mate, Lucy, had just finished their classes. Not quite ready to head home, Emily suggested, “Fancy a stroll in the park?”
“Sure, while theres still daylight,” Lucy agreed.
The park wasnt exactly on their way, but what harm could a little detour do?
They wandered down the tree-lined path, stealing glances at the couples lost in their own little worlds. No one paid them any mind. Then, turning a corner, they spotted a man and woman wrapped in each others arms. He murmured something in her ear, and she beamed. Though his back was turned, his greying hair gave away his age.
Lucy barely spared them a look until she noticed Emily frozen, wide-eyed, unable to tear her gaze away.
“Emily? Whats wrong?”
“Nothing. Lets just go,” Emily muttered, striding ahead.
They left in silence, Emily lost in thought. At the gates, they parted ways.
As she walked home, Emilys mind raced. That womans blissful smile, the whisperher father hadnt even noticed her standing there.
“Dad, how could you? I thought you were perfect. But youve got a mistress? I wouldnt have believed it if I hadnt seen it myself.”
She arrived late. Mum barely glanced up from the table. “Dinners ready. Cant ever wait for you or your father.”
“Just washing my hands first,” Emily mumbled.
She lingered in the bathroom. When she emerged, Dad still wasnt home. She picked at her food before retreating to her room.
Opening her laptop, she stared blankly. That imageher father kissing another womanburned behind her eyes.
“Is lying and cheating just normal for adults? Whats missing in his life? Would he really leave us for her?” Then, an idea struck.
“Does she even know I exist? Well, shes about to.”
The front door creaked open.
“Sorry, love. Long day,” Dad called.
“Your ‘long days’ used to only be at months end,” Mum snapped. “Now theyre every other day.”
“Jane, not now.”
He popped his head into Emilys room, but she shoved him away.
“Dinners getting cold.”
“Emily, whats wrong?”
“Nothing. But what about you?”
Dad studied her, hesitated, then left.
Emily spent the evening plotting.
The next morning, voices filtered through her door.
“David, where are you off to?”
“Work. Urgent.”
“Its Saturday. Couldnt you spend it with your family?”
“Ill be back by lunch. Well do something then.”
Emily emerged, feigning a yawn.
“And where are you off to?” Mum frowned.
“Lessons. Im already late.”
“Honestly, youre both impossible!”
Dad waited in the hall. “Ill walk you.”
“Emily, at least have some tea!” Mum called.
“Go on. Ill wait,” Dad said, guilt lacing his voice.
She gulped the tea, then hurried out.
They walked in silence before Dad asked, “Are you upset with me?”
“No, Dad. Just teenage things,” she said softly. “I love you.”
“And I love you too.”
“More than anything?”
He stiffened but nodded. “More than anything.”
They smiled, yet neither could meet the others eyes.
“Heres my stop. See you at lunchyou promised wed spend the day together.”
Once Dad was out of sight, she doubled back, trailing him.
Her hopethat hed head to workdied as he turned the opposite way.
They walked for ages. He never once looked back.
A woman emerged from a flat five minutes after he called.
“Shes beautiful,” Emily whispered. “Am I really worth less to him?”
The woman kissed him, and they strolled arm-in-arm to a secluded bench. Emily watched, heartbreak turning to fury.
When they returned, the woman disappeared inside.
Emily waited.
Thena chance. The woman stepped out again, rubbish bag in hand.
Emily blocked her path.
“Listen. If you ever see David again, Ill make sure you regret it.”
“Who are you?”
“His daughter. Call him. Now. Tell him its over.”
The woman dialled.
“Claire, whats wrong?” Dads voice crackled through.
“David, we cant see each other anymore.”
“Why?”
“Youve got a family. Im leaving after uni anyway.”
“Claire, if thats”
“Goodbye, David.”
She hung up.
By the time Emily got home, her parents were chatting over lunch.
“Youre cheerful,” Mum remarked.
“Starving,” Emily grinned.
“Emily, whats got into you?” Dad asked.
“Dad, do you love me?”
“Of course.”
“And Mum?”
A pause. Then, firmly”Yes. I love your mother.”
Emily smiled.
“Good. Because I love you both too.”
**Lesson learned:** Sometimes, the hardest truths force us to fight for what really matters. And sometimes, all it takes is a little courage to set things right.
