Wife and Father
Emily only pretended to care about meeting Adams parents. Why would she? She wasnt planning to live with them, and his well-off father would only bring trouble and suspicion into her life, not benefits.
But since shed decided to marry Adam, she had to play her part to the end.
Emily dressed nicely but kept her outfit simple, aiming to come across as a sweet, down-to-earth girl.
Meeting your fiancé’s parents is always fraught with invisible pitfallsdoing so when they’re intelligent feels like a test of endurance.
Adam thought she needed comforting.
Dont worry, Em, seriously, he said as they stood outside his parents’ house in Surrey. Dads a gloomy sort, but hes reasonable. Theyre lovely, really. Mums the heart of the familywarm and welcoming. Dads a bit eccentric, but Mum more than makes up for it.
Emily only smiled, flicking a strand of hair back over her shoulder. So Dads gloom and Mums sunshine. What a combination, she thought, masking her amusement.
Their house didnt impress her much; Emily had been in grander homes before.
They were greeted at the door right away.
Emily wasnt particularly nervous; why should she be? People are just people. She knew, thanks to Adam, that Jane had been a housewife for yearsnever really worked, enjoyed touring about Europe with her friendsbut nothing too out of the ordinary. The father, Philip, wasnt much of a laugh but at least he was quiet. Yet somehow, his name felt familiar
They opened the door and welcomed her inside
and Emily froze at the threshold. This was not what shed expected. Shed never met the mother, but she recognised Adams father in half a heartbeat. Of course she did. Theyd crossed paths three years agonot often, but their meetings had been mutually advantageous. A few bars, hotels, restaurantsthat sort of thing. Naturally, neither Philips wife nor his son ever knew about it.
This was the end.
Philip recognised her too. There was a flicker in his eyes. It couldve been shock, disbelief, or perhaps something more calculatinga scheme forming, maybebut he said nothing.
Adam remained blissfully in the dark, beaming as he introduced her. Mum, Dadthis is Emily. My fiancée. Id have brought her here sooner but shes so shy.
Philip offered a handshake.
His grip was firmalmost rough.
Pleased to meet you, Emily, he said, the words tinged with something Emily couldnt quite put her finger on. Anger? Warning?
She braced for Philip to out her for what she used to be.
Likewise, Mr Hawkins, Emily replied smoothly, determined not to let herself be exposed so early. Her pulse thundered, adrenaline spiking. Was Philip about to spill?
But nothing happened.
Philip forced a smile, edged a chair out for her at the table.
Maybe he wanted to save the embarrassment for later.
The awkward confrontation never came.
Suddenly, Emily realised: he would never say a word. If he did, hed out himself as well. If his wife ever found out, it would devastate his family as much as hers.
Once she relaxed, the evening actually passed easily enough. Jane regaled her with stories from Adams childhood, while Philip feigned polite interest in Emilys work. He already knew plenty. His subtle jibes didnt stingshed grown immune. To her surprise, those barbed, private jokes almost made her laugh. Only she and Philip understood their true meaning.
Like when he observed, looking Emily directly in the eye: You remind me of an old colleague. Very clever. Had a way with peopleany kind of people.
Emily kept her composure. Everyone has their own set of skills, Mr Hawkins.
Adam, as besotted grooms tend to be, shot her adoring glances, oblivious to the undertones. He truly loved her. That, perhaps, was the cruelest partat least for him.
Later, conversation turned to travel. I prefer somewhere quiet, Philip mused, glancing at Emily, A retreat, where you can be alone with a good book and your thoughts. What about you, Emily?
Trying to catch her out.
I love places full of life, with plenty of people and a bit of noise, Emily replied, unruffled, Though sometimes, extra ears can be a danger.
For a second, it seemed Jane sensed a shift. Her brow creased slightly, but she dismissed it.
Philip, of course, knew Emily wasnt one for quietand he knew precisely why.
At the end of the evening, as they were getting ready to leave, Philip hugged Adam. Look after her, son. Shes special.
It sounded like both a compliment and a warning. Only Emily picked up on the double meaning.
She felt the room chill at his choice of word. Special. He could hardly have picked a more loaded word.
***
That night, after everyone had gone to bed, Emily lay awake, turning over the unexpected encounter and formulating how to handle this new complicationher life had suddenly veered off-script. She guessed Philip, too, lay sleepless, haunted by the sudden twist. She decided a chat was inevitable and slipped on her hoodie over pyjamas before sneaking downstairs.
She made just enough noise to alert anyone else awake and stepped onto the veranda. It didnt take long for Philip to join her.
Cant sleep? he asked, coming up behind her.
Not really, Emily replied.
A gentle breeze brought the familiar scent of his cologne.
He studied her, voice flat. What do you want from my son, Emily? I know what youre made of. I know exactly how many men like me have crossed your path. Youve only ever cared about moneynever tried to hide that. You always named your price, even if you didnt put it bluntly. Why Adam?
If he wasnt going to skirt the past, neither would she. Emily bared her teeth in a half-smile.
I love him, Mr Hawkins, she replied, too brightly. Why shouldnt I?
He didnt look convinced.
Love? From you? Dont make me laugh. I know who you are, Emily. Ill tell him everythingabout your past, what you used to do, who you really are. Think hell still marry you after that?
Emily stepped closer, stopping just short of him, meeting his eye. Go ahead, Mr Hawkinstell him. But Ill be telling your wife our little secret at the very same time.
This isnt
Blackmail? No. Its symmetry. If you reveal how you and I met, you wont be able to hide what we did either. Ill make sure my version fills in all the details.
Thats not the same thing
Are you sure? Is that what youll tell Jane?
Philip stiffened. His intimidation ploy had failed; shed cornered him. They were both entangled now.
So what will you dotell her?
Not only her. Everyone. Adam, too. Ill tell everyone just what sort of family man youve been, what late nights at work actually meant. If you want to protect Adam from mego on, try.
An impossible choice. Stopping his son from marrying Emily would mean destroying his own marriageand losing much of his estate in the divorce. Jane would never leave empty-handed. Adam would never forgive him.
He realised Emily wasnt bluffing.
Fine, he managed. I wont say anythingand neither will you. We both forget what happened.
That settled it. Emily had little to lose. He stood to lose everything.
As you wish, Mr Hawkins.
The next morning, Emily and Adam said their goodbyes and left beneath Philips cold stare. Jane hugged her warmly, already calling her love. Philip nearly winced.
He was tormentedhe couldn’t warn Adam of Emily’s schemes without incriminating himself. Losing Jane would mean not just losing a wife, but a fair share of his assets. And Adam would never forgive him, either.
Some weeks later, Emily and Adam stayed with his parents for a fortnight. A family holiday, as it were.
Philip did his best to avoid Emily, hiding behind claims of endless paperwork and business. But curiosity got the better of him one afternoon when he had the house to himself. He rummaged through her handbag, scouring for anything that might give him leverage.
He found cosmetics, a diary, bits and bobs. And thena white-and-blue stick. A pregnancy test. Clearly positive.
I thought catastrophe meant my son marrying No, this is a disaster, he muttered, putting the test back, forgetting to close the bag.
Emily caught him in the act.
Not very gentlemanly to rifle through a ladys bag, she chided, but didnt seem bothered.
Philip didnt deny it.
Youre pregnant with Adams child?
Emily took her bag from him, locking eyes. Looks like youve spoiled the surprise, Mr Hawkins.
Now, Philip was truly livid. Not only was Emily in his sons life, now she was permanently connected to his family. If he spilled the truth nowit would ruin everyone. Best to keep silent. But the silence was torture, knowing the trap his son was walking into.
***
Nine months passed then another six.
Adam and Emily were raising a little girl named Charlotte.
Philip tried to avoid visiting. He refused to acknowledge Charlotte as his granddaughter. He couldnt bear Emilyher indifference toward Adam, her misbehaviour in years past.
Then, one day, Jane planned to visit Adam and Emily.
Philip, will you come with me?
No. Ive an awful headache.
Again? Thats becoming a worrying sign.
Its nothing, just tired. Go on without me.
Philip, as always, feigned migraines and coldsanything to stall these trips. He even took a couple of paracetamol for added realism. He couldnt bear being near Emily. But nor could he expose her.
The evening dragged. Philip tried to read, tried to relax, but his mind wouldnt quiet. Then he realised it was already nearly eleven, and Jane still hadnt come home. She wasnt answering her texts. He rang Adam.
Everything alright over there? Has Jane set off yet? Shes not home.
A cold silence. Dad, youre the last person I want to talk to right now.
Click.
Philip was about to drive over himself when a car pulled up outside. Emilys car. Alarm flared; when he saw her walk in, he nearly fainted.
What are you doing here? Out with it! What happened? he demanded, voice trembling.
Emily seemed amazingly calm. She poured herself a glass of wine, curled up on the veranda.
Its over, she said.
What do you mean, over?
Disaster. For both of us, Emily explained, swirling her wine. Adam stumbled on some photos from a party at The Pavillionremember, four years ago? They were posted on the cafés website. He was looking for somewhere to celebrate our anniversary and, lo and beholdthere they were. Us. For the world to see. The photographer posted everything. Adams furious. Jane is talking about divorce. And, as for me, welllooks like Im divorcing your son, like you always wanted.
Philip stared at her, remembering the night, remembering every red flag. Hed warned the photographer not to capture them, but who could have guessed the past would collide so perfectly with the present?
He dropped down to the floor beside her.
So why are you here?
I needed to get away, Emily smiled, The house is chaos. Charlottes with the nanny. Care for some wine?
She offered him his own vintage.
They sat together silently, broken only by night insects humming in the garden.
Its all your fault, Philip muttered.
Emily nodded, eyes on her glass. Probably.
Youre impossible.
I am what I am.
You dont even pity Adam.
I do. But, honestly, I pity myself more.
You love nobody but yourself.
True enough.
He suddenly reached out, tilting her chin toward him. You know I never loved younot even once, he whispered.
Easy to believe.
***
Morning came. Jane returned home, determined to fix her marriage, even at the expense of her nerves. She found Emily and Philip together, still asleep.
Whos there? Emily stirred.
Its me, said Jane softly, watching the last shreds of her life unravel.
Emily simply smiled. Philip woke a bit later, but made no effort to chase after his wife.
In the end, both Emily and Philip discovered that secrets, buried in the hope of self-preservation, have a way of surfacing at the worst possible moment. Adam learned that sometimes, love blinded him to the truth. Jane, for all her devotion, found that trust, once broken, is near impossible to piece together.
In every family, shadows stretch further than we think. Honestywith ourselves and each othermight be the only way to escape them.
