My husband always believed I was clueless about his other family, so when I turned up at his daughters graduation he was taken aback.
Are you pulling my leg? Thats yesterdays loaf! shouted a woman in a blue puffer coat, jabbing a crusty roll on the shop counter.
The tired shopassistant, eyes dull, sighed:
Maam, its fresh bread. It was delivered this morning.
Im not buying a lie! I can see the crust is dry!
Emily stood behind the irate customer, her mind already racing through the days todo list: pick up groceries, drop off a suit at the dry cleaners, collect a darkblue, strictlooking dress shed ordered for the following days graduation. It wasnt for her own childEmily had none. It was for the graduation of Jamess daughter with another woman.
The shopassistant glanced at Emily.
Anything else, love?
Just some scones and a pint of milk, please.
She paid, stepped out into a drizzly, grey morning, opened her umbrella and headed for the bus stop. Tucked in her bag was a slip of paper with the schools addressa talisman shed memorised but still kept with her.
Shed only learned about Jamess second family by accident, though the suspicion had been there for years. Small, slippery hints: James often stayed late at work, went on endless business trips, forgot his phone at home and then grew nervous when Emily happened to pick it up. Shed chalked it all up to his demanding job as a successful architect handling big projects and endless meetings. She didnt want to be the wife who staged scenes and rifled through his pockets.
Six months ago everything changed. James left an important folder at home and phoned Emily, asking her to bring it to an address on the other side of town. Usually his office was in the city centre, so Emily was puzzled, but she went.
The address turned out to be a typical ninestorey council block. Emily rang the bell, told James she was there. He appeared a minute later, looking flustered and a little frightened. He grabbed the folder, thanked her hurriedly and tried to usher her to his car.
From the secondfloor window she saw a woman watching them. Her face was pale, tight, and startlingly young.
James, whos that? Emily asked, pointing at the window.
James didnt even turn.
Who? I dont know. Lets go, Ive got another meeting.
He was in a rush, nerves on edge. Emily drove home, but the image of the woman in the window stayed with her all the way.
That night, while James slept, Emily slipped into his phone. Shed known the passcode ever since their wedding day and it had never changed. She scanned his messages, contacts, and found a name: Claire. The conversation had been deleted, but a recent line flickered: Poppy is worried you wont make it to the parentteacher evening.
Poppy. Emilys breath caught. James had a daughter named Poppy, and a woman called Claire. She placed the phone back, lay awake staring at the ceiling, weighing her options cause a scene, leave, or keep silent.
Morning came, she made breakfast. James shuffled into the kitchen in his robe, hair rumpled, kissed her on the top of her head and sat down.
Howd you sleep? he asked.
Fine, Emily replied, masking the turmoil.
She kept her head down, watched James go about his usual routine evening work stories, television, occasional weekend trips he called business. She started gathering information herself. A quick search brought up Claires profile: a young, blonde, attractive woman, with pictures of a teenage girl beside her. The girl, Poppy, had the same grey eyes and stubborn chin as James.
Emily felt a strange mix of pain and curiosity as she scrolled through the photos school events, birthday cakes, a medal from a spelling bee.
Just days earlier Claire had posted, My girl is finishing school! Graduation tomorrow so proud!
Emily read it twice. Poppy was about to turn seventeen. James would surely attend. How could she let that pass?
That evening, over dinner, James said, Emma, I might be stuck at a client meeting tomorrow. It could run late, maybe Ill have to stay in a hotel.
Emily nodded. Alright, no problem.
He smiled, grateful for what he thought was her compliance. Emily finished her salad, stood to clear the table. James slipped his arm around her.
Youre the most understanding wife I could wish for.
She said nothing, feeling his hands on her waist and wondering how everything would finally shift.
The day of the graduation she started with a trip to the salon, a light makeup, and the blue dress shed ordered. At fortytwo, she still looked presentable grey strands tucked under dye, wrinkles softened with foundation. She grabbed a bouquet of white roses shed bought in advance, called a cab and gave the driver the schools address.
In the cab she rehearsed what she would say to James, to Claire, to Poppy.
She arrived halfpast six; the ceremony began at seven. Parents milled about, snapping photos, a few smokers leaned against the wall. Emily lingered at the edge, scanning the crowd.
Then she saw them. James stood by the entrance with Claire, who wore a light dress and loose hair, looking about ten years younger than Emily. He was chatting, laughing, adjusting her shirt collar. They looked like a couple.
Emily stepped forward, then another. James turned, his eyes flickering over her, then widening. His face went pale, his mouth opened.
Emma? he breathed.
Claire glanced up, caught Emilys gaze and took a step back.
Emily moved a few paces closer, stopped a couple of metres away and smiled.
Hi James, what a surprise to see you here.
What what are you doing here? his voice trembled.
I came to congratulate your daughter on her graduation. Its a big day, isnt it? You cant miss it.
James opened his mouth, closed it again, unsure what to say. Claire stood, her face ashen.
Youre Claire, arent you? Emily said, turning to her. Nice to meet you. Im Emma, Jamess wife.
Claires answer was a quiet, I I know.
Emma continued, So you know. I only just found out about you and Poppy.
James reached for her hand, but she stepped back.
Why not here? Emma asked. It seems the right place. Youre a family, arent you? You raised Poppy together.
A tall girl in a white dress emerged from the school doors Poppy, hair neatly pinned, pearls at her throat. She spotted her parents and ran forward.
Mum, Dad, youre here! I was nervous! she cried, hugging Claire first, then James. James embraced his daughter, eyes pleading at Emma.
Poppy looked at Emma, curious.
Whos this? she asked.
Emma smiled at the girl.
Hello Poppy, Im Emma. Congratulations on finishing school. Here, a little something, she handed over the roses.
Poppy took the bouquet, glanced between the two adults.
Are you a friend of Mums? she asked.
No, love, Emma said, shaking her head. Im your fathers wife.
Silence fell. Poppy stared at Emma, then at James. Claire covered her face with her hands. James stood like a statue.
What? the girl whispered.
Your dad is married to me. Eighteen years. I only just learned about you and your mum, Emma said, voice steady. I came to see for myself.
Poppy dropped the flowers, turned to James.
Dad, is it true?
James could not answer. Claire began to sob. People around started to stare, whisper, murmur.
Dad! Is it true you have another family? Poppys voice cracked.
James tried, Its complicated.
Complicated? Youve lied to me all my life! You said Mum was everything, and now theres another family?
Sweetheart, I never wanted to hurt you James began, but she cut him off.
Didnt want? she snapped. Now Im standing at my own graduation, learning my father is a liar and a cheat!
Claire tried to hug her, but Poppy pushed away.
Mum, did you know? she asked.
Claire nodded, tears streaming. Since the start. He promised hed divorce, but he never did.
Poppy looked from her mother to James, then at Emma.
What are you doing here? To get revenge? To ruin my day?
Emma shook her head.
No, Poppy. I came for the truth. I feel sorry for you. Youre not at fault for being born into this mess. But you deserve to know who your father really is.
James stepped forward, angry.
Emma, enough! Everyone knows now. Leave!
Im leaving, Emma replied calmly. I wasnt planning to stay. I just wanted to see you, James, and tell you Im filing for divorce. Tomorrow Ill collect my things. Live how you like, with Claire, without me. Its over.
She turned and walked away. James called after her, but she didnt look back. She passed the school gates, hailed a cab, wiped her eyes with a handkerchief not from pain, but relief. The lie was over, the burden lifted.
The driver asked, You alright, love?
No, Emma smiled, for the first time in years, Im alright.
Back home she changed, brewed a cup of tea, stared out the window. James calls came in, apologising, begging for a meeting. She didnt answer.
The next morning she packed a few clothes, documents, photos everything else she left behind. The flat was bought with Jamess money; shed let him keep it if he wanted, with Claire, or on his own.
Emma moved in with her friend Sarah, who greeted her with a big hug.
Youve been brave, Emma! It takes guts to turn up at that graduation.
I just wanted to see his face when he realised I knew, Emma shrugged. And it was worth it.
What now? Sarah asked.
Now the divorce. New life. Im fortytwo, not old. Ill live for myself.
Sarah embraced her. Youll get through this. Im sure of it.
Months passed. The divorce was settled quickly; James offered no resistance, perhaps feeling guilty or just eager to close the chapter. Emma found a new job, rented a flat, started yoga and even enrolled in a language class living for herself for the first time in years.
One afternoon she bumped into Claire in a supermarket. Claire paused, her face still tight, but Emma called out, Claire, wait.
Claire turned, eyes wary.
I have nothing to say, she muttered.
I do. Hows Poppy? Emma asked.
Shes gone to university studying medicine, wants to be a doctor, Claire replied, eyes softening.
Does she talk to you?
Claire shook her head. After the graduation incident, I spoke to him once. He tried to call, to visit. I shut the door, I dont answer.
Emma nodded, feeling pity for both of them.
I hold no grudge, Claire. You were hoping hed leave, werent you?
Claires eyes glistened. Seventeen years I waited. He kept promising a little longer. I was a fool to believe him.
We were both fools, Emma said, a sad smile forming. We trusted a man who didnt deserve us.
Where is he now? Claire asked quietly.
I dont know. He lives in that flat, probably alone.
Same here, Claire admitted. He keeps calling, asking for forgiveness. I cant. Poppys right. Hes a liar and a cheat.
They stood in silence, then Emma said, Stay strong. Youre still young. Things will get better.
And you, stay strong too, Claire replied.
They parted, two women bruised by the same man, each walking toward a new beginning.
Emma often wondered where James was, what he was thinking, whether he felt remorse. Men like that rarely do. He wouldnt deceive anyone again certainly not Emma or Claire.
A year later Emma met Andrew, a decent, honest bloke with no hidden lives. They took things slow, getting to know each other, and Emma wasnt in a rush to trust again. Andrew was patient, waiting until she felt ready, and gradually Emma thawed, believing she could have a life built on honesty.
One evening they strolled through a park and Andrew asked, Emma, do you regret going to that graduation?
She thought a moment.
No. I did what I had to. I exposed the lie. It hurt everyone, but it brought truth.
Many would have kept quiet, walked away, avoided drama.
Im not most people. I wanted him to know Im not a fool. I understood everything, and I wont forgive him.
Andrew wrapped his arms around her.
Youre strong. I admire you.
She rested her head on his shoulder, warm and calm for the first time in years.
She forgave James, not for him but for herself to free her heart from the weight of his deceit. Hed chosen a double life, cheating two women, raising a daughter in lies. Now he was alone, his punishment finally arrived, albeit late.
Emma moved on, living openly, with a man she could trust. The graduation day had become a turning point the end of one life and the start of another. Painful, frightening, but necessary.
Sometimes you have to walk through hurt to break free, to see the truth, to lose one thing so you can find something better. Emma found herself, her life, her happiness, and she would never return to the blind, deceived wife she once was. Now she walks forward, clearsighted, without looking back.
