“I can’t believe it! My best friend is the father of Alex! I’ve been raising his son for over four years without a clue!”
Emily and James had been in love since their school days. After graduation, James went off to study aviation at a university in another city, while Emily couldnt get in. They called each other every day, keeping their bond strong.
But when James started his flight training, Emily grew jealous of the beautiful flight attendants he worked with. She visited him to make peace, and they had a wonderful night together, whispering sweet nothings. The next morning, however, she saw a message from one of his colleaguesasking when his next flight was and saying how much calmer she felt flying with him.
Jealousy took over. Emily stormed out in tears.
Soon after, James was offered a job abroadgreat prospects, excellent pay. He hesitated to tell Emily hed have to leave for a year. But before he could, she revealed she was pregnant.
He proposed, and they married in a lavish ceremony, with half the town in attendance. The overseas job had to be sacrificedEmily refused to go.
After the wedding, James moved them to London. When their son was born, they took out a hefty mortgage on a spacious flat with his mothers help. James worked tirelessly to keep up with payments and provide for his family.
“If only Id taken that job abroad! I wouldnt be stuck at work all the timemy career wouldve soared by now!”
“Oh, sure, James! While Im here with the baby, youd be off entertaining new women on your flights?” Emily snapped.
“You drive me mad with this jealousy! If Im with you, Im with youno one else!”
The fights became daily, especially after his flights. Shed interrogate him, check his phone, searching for any hint of betrayal. After three years, James left flying to become an instructor at the aviation school, driving a taxi on weekends to make ends meet.
Hed given up his dream for her sake, striving to be the best husband and father.
One day, James missed a mortgage payment. To sort it out at the bank, he needed the paperwork. Emily wasnt home, so he searched himself. Beneath the documents, he found something elsea paternity test.
“What is this?” he muttered.
The results were clear: Child: Alex Jameson. Alleged Father: Andrew Bennett. Probability of Paternity: 99%.
“I cant believe it! My best friend is the father of my son!”
James felt numb. How could he face Emily?
“Hi, love!” Emily kissed him when she got home, but he barely reacted.
“Alex, lets eat, then well go to the park,” James said stiffly.
“Sweetheart, whats wrong?” Emily laughed nervously.
“Dinner first. Then Alex and I are going out.”
She didnt understand his coldness.
“James, did something happen at work? Are they sending you away again? Talk to me!”
“Not now.” He stood and walked away.
Emily followed, demanding answers.
“You think this is funny? Im your wife! Explain yourself!”
“Yes, my wife. How could you keep this from me? I gave up everything for you! When was the last time I saw my friends, my family?”
Emily paled. “Does he know? How?”
Two months passed in silence. James couldnt bear to speak to her. But how could Andrew have hidden this?
The truth was, Andrew had always fancied Emily. He never hid it. Months before the wedding, he married someone else, knowing Emily would never be his. Yet at every party, he danced with Emilynot his wife.
Jamess mother once remarked, “Emily, you and Andrew wouldve made a lovely pair.”
Emily laughed awkwardly. “Dont be silly! Im married to your son! We have a child, and we love each other!”
“You do, but why always dance with Andrew? Why ask him for help, not James?”
“James is always working. Andrew never says no.”
“Emily, I love my son. I wont stand for deceit. Somethings wrong in your marriage.”
“Youre imagining things!”
But Jamess mother had noticedAlex had the same birthmark as Andrew. Over time, the resemblance grew. Shed secretly arranged the paternity test, collecting DNA from Andrews glass and her grandsons cup.
One evening, she confronted Emily.
“I knew it! How could you betray my son? Does Andrew even know he has a child?”
Emily begged. “Please, dont ruin our lives! It was one stupid nightJames and I were fighting. I never thought Andrew had nothingno career, no money. I stayed with James for stability. Think of Alex!”
Jamess mother left in tears, heartbroken for her son.
Emily hid the test results, praying James would never find them.
One evening, she resolved to confess. But when she got home, James was gonehis belongings too. Only a new remote-control car lay on Alexs bed.
“Mum, wheres Dad?”
“On a business trip, love.” She fled to the balcony and wept.
She called James, voice trembling. “Please, lets talk!”
“Dont bother. I loved youtrusted you. You destroyed it all. Ill support Alex, but I wont live with you.”
He hung up.
When James came to take Alex for the weekend, Emily begged for a chance to explain.
“Remember that fight over the flight attendant? I went out with friends, ended up at a club. Andrew was there. We were drunkI dont remember much. I wanted to tell you, but I was terrified of losing you. Andrew said to pretend nothing happened. When I found out I was pregnant, I thought it was yours. But your mother proved otherwise. Its Andrews faulthe always envied you! Please, forgive me!”
“Theres no forgiveness,” James said coldly.
He returned to flying, filed for divorce, and sent gifts to Alex from his travels. Andrew never learned the truthhe moved abroad with his wife.
One reckless night had shattered trust, love, and friendship. James lost his best friend and wife.
Emily lived wellthe flat, a good income, a luxury car. Alex went to the best school. Yet something was missing.
She tried repeatedly to win James back, but he refused. He struggled to trust again, though eventually, he achieved the career heights hed always dreamed of.
Life takes unexpected turns. Was Emily right to hide the truth? What would you have done in Jamess place?
