“Dark Secrets of the Past”
“Alex, don’t be late tonight, please,” said Emily to her husband as she stirred soup on the stove in their flat in Bristol. “Our Sophie wants us to meet her boyfriend, Ethan!”
Leonard sighed heavily. His little girl had grown up—already with a fiancé. Time flew so fast. Ethan turned out to be charming: clever, well-read, with an easy smile. Leonard liked him straight away, and Emily was pleased too. Sophie beamed with happiness—everything had gone perfectly. But one day, while wandering through the shopping centre looking for a gift for Emily, Leonard heard a voice that made his heart stop.
Leonard had been living a double life for two years. He’d met Olivia by chance when she lightly scratched his car in a car park. The mark was barely there, but Olivia apologised so sincerely that she convinced him to pop into a café nearby. Leonard agreed. There was something magnetic about this delicate, lively woman. She was single, full of laughs, with a spark in her eyes. The conversation dragged on.
They started meeting at her flat. Leonard confessed straight away that he was married. Olivia didn’t mind—she’d fallen for his confident, imposing presence.
He’d been with Emily for seven years. She was warm, caring, their Bristol home a cosy haven. They both earned well, but the lack of children cast a shadow. Doctors shrugged—everything was fine, yet no miracle happened.
Leonard had no intention of leaving Emily—he was content. He saw Olivia when his schedule allowed, careful not to neglect his wife. Maybe it eased his guilt?
“Alex, I’m pregnant,” Olivia dropped on him one evening. “Time to choose: us or your wife. I’m tired of waiting.”
Leonard froze. They’d always been careful—he thought he was safe. Children outside his marriage weren’t part of the plan. But something had gone wrong.
“How did this happen?” he choked out. “We were careful.”
“Nothing’s foolproof,” Olivia shrugged.
“I want kids,” he admitted. “Just not like this. Give me time to think.”
On the drive home, he decided: he’d tell Emily and file for divorce. Honesty was the only way. He couldn’t live with her knowing his child was out there. Hiding and lying was exhausting.
Leonard walked in determined—but Emily met him with shining eyes.
“Alex, why so stiff?” she laughed. “I saw the doctor today. We’re having a baby! Finally! I’m so happy, you’ve no idea!”
Her joy was infectious. Leonard hadn’t seen her like this in years.
“Seriously? That’s… amazing,” he breathed, hiding his turmoil.
He wasn’t lying—the news stunned him. Two pregnancies in one day? How could he tell Emily about Olivia? Why now?
The next morning, he woke up certain: he’d stay with Emily. Olivia would have to go. He couldn’t—wouldn’t—live between two households with his children. He’d persuade Olivia to end it.
That evening, he was at her place. They sat at the kitchen table, Olivia pouring aromatic tea.
“Liv, listen,” he started. “Emily told me yesterday she’s pregnant. Years with no kids, and now—I can’t leave her. But I’ll cover the… procedure. You’re young, you’ll find someone, have his kids. I’m not cut out for two families.”
Olivia listened silently, no tears, no blame.
“I see,” she said calmly. “I’ll book it tomorrow. Don’t come back. Be happy with your wife. And keep your money.”
Leonard clenched his jaw. A rotten situation. He left without another word, slamming the door.
Twenty-two years later.
“Alex, don’t be late tonight,” Emily reminded him. “Sophie’s bringing Ethan. I’ve heard so much—time to meet him. Just… go easy on the questions, alright? She’s smitten, and I pray he’s decent.”
Leonard smiled. His Sophie, all grown-up with a fiancé. Still his little girl with pigtails in his mind. He remembered everything—her first smile, steps, first tooth. Those moments were etched into him.
Sophie was born fragile. Emily was the perfect mother, doting on her. Their daughter had her looks—same eyes, hair, grace.
Leonard had found peace. He had it all: a loving wife, daughter, stable life. Olivia barely crossed his mind—he hoped she’d moved on.
Meeting Ethan went smoothly. He studied with Sophie at uni—quick-witted, well-read. Lived with his parents but aimed to buy his own place. Leonard approved, Emily too. Sophie glowed—her parents accepted her choice.
One day, Leonard was browsing the mall for Emily’s birthday gift. Nothing caught his eye, so he stopped for a bite at a café.
“Hello, Leonard,” came a familiar voice. “Enjoy your meal!”
Leonard turned—and nearly choked. Ethan stood there… with Olivia.
She’d hardly aged, just a little softer.
“Meet my mum, Olivia,” said Ethan. “This is Sophie’s dad.”
Olivia awkwardly held out her hand.
“Pleasure,” she mumbled.
“Likewise,” Leonard forced out.
“Mum, I’ll be off,” said Ethan. “Mate needs help picking a jacket. Meet you at the car in half an hour.”
Ethan left. Olivia sat opposite.
“Congratulations, Alex,” she said quietly.
“That’s your son? You married?” he asked, piecing it together.
“Yes, my son. Married. I didn’t know Sophie was yours. Ethan never said her surname. Small world…”
“Too small,” Leonard exhaled. “Bloody hell.”
“Alex,” Olivia hesitated. “I’d never say this, but… our kids can’t be together.”
“Why?” he frowned. “Still punishing me? This isn’t about us. They’re in love!”
“God, you don’t get it,” she met his eyes. “Ethan’s your son.”
Leonard went still.
“My son? But you—”
“Couldn’t go through with it,” she cut in. “I had him. Never regretted it. He’s wonderful. I married two years later. No more kids. Ethan thinks my husband’s his dad, has his name. He knows nothing about you. So… what now? How do we tell them?”
“No idea,” Leonard admitted. “Like a soap opera. Let me think. I’m reeling. Here’s my number—text yours. We’ll talk.”
Leonard sat on a bench outside, running through scenarios. Only one answer: tell the truth, however ugly.
Emily was ironing when he returned.
“Where’ve you been?” she asked. “Dinner’s cold. Sophie and Ethan went out.”
“Em, we need to talk,” he said gravely. “It’s bad.”
“What’s wrong?” She turned off the iron, tense.
“Years ago, I was with another woman,” he began. “She got pregnant. I nearly left, but then you told me we were expecting. I stayed. Told her I wouldn’t abandon you, and we split. She promised not to keep the baby. Haven’t seen her since. Until today. Ethan’s mum? Olivia. Ethan’s my son.”
Emily clutched her head, pacing.
“How?” she whispered. “Your son…”
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I was stupid. Took you for granted. There’s been no one since, I swear. But how do we tell Sophie? Of all the lads, she picks him…”
“Alex,” Emily stopped. “Don’t tell her.”
“What?” he gaped. “They’re siblings! What if they marry?”
“Secrets night, eh?” she gave a bitter smile. “Sophie’s not yours.”
Leonard laughed—surely she was joking.
“Whose is she?”
“We were distant then, remember?” Emily admitted. “A colleague—attentive, kind. I caved. I wanted a baby, and you didn’t seem to care. I’m certain Sophie’s his. That month, we’d not… been together. But with him—several times. So Sophie and Ethan? No relation.”
“You… cheated?” Leonard choked on the pain.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “Never meant to say. I wanted a child, a family. Ended it straight after. He moved abroad. I’ve no idea where he is. Now it’s your turn to forgive.”
Leonard grabbed his keys and stormed out. He drove through Bristol’s night streets, digesting it. Sophie—not his. Emily’s lie, all these years. How to move forward? He’d never stop loving Sophie, but Emily…
He pulled over and called Olivia.
“Hey, Liv,” he said. “Told Emily. About us, Ethan. And guess what? Sophie’s not mine. Emily had an affair.”
Olivia laughed down the line.
“Bloody hell, you two. Even-stevensLeonard gripped the steering wheel, realising that sometimes, the past doesn’t just haunt you—it rewrites everything you thought was true.
