“I had no idea she existed until today. It’s not like I could just send her to a children’s home. She’s my daughter,” the man said.
Emily was cooking dinner, humming to herself. Finally, she had good news for James. They’d been together ten years. At first, they hadn’t rushed into having children—they were happy just the two of them. Emily wanted to focus on her career, to build her experience.
She had been desperate to land a job at a prestigious firm and promised her boss she had no immediate plans for children. The job was excellent, with room for growth, and Emily had proved herself—she was up for a promotion. The salary was good, and maternity pay would be decent. Now, at last, they could think about starting a family. But it wasn’t that simple. Tests showed nothing wrong with her or James.
“Be patient,” the doctor had said with a reassuring smile. “These things happen. You’ve worked hard, put so much effort into your career—it takes its toll. Try to relax, don’t fixate on it. Just live your life, take time to rest, and everything will work out.” She’d prescribed Emily some vitamins and sent her on her way.
Then, finally, it happened. At first, Emily didn’t believe it—she thought the test must be wrong. She bought two more, different brands, but the same two lines appeared each time. She waited another week, unable to bear the uncertainty any longer, then went to the hospital for blood tests. She and James were going to have a baby! Tonight, she’d tell him, and they’d celebrate.
As she fried the meat, she listened to her own body. Logically, she knew it was too early to feel anything, but she imagined she could sense the new life growing inside her. More than once, she lifted her T-shirt, scrutinising her stomach in the mirror—but to her disappointment, it remained as flat as ever.
She’d turned the stove off long ago, the kettle had cooled, and still, James wasn’t home. He wasn’t answering his phone. Then, finally, the front door clicked open. From the sound of footsteps, Emily knew he wasn’t alone. She sighed—her surprise would have to wait. This was private, something just between the two of them.
Frowning, she walked into the hallway—and froze. A girl around ten years old stood there, her gaze stubborn and wary. Behind her, James avoided Emily’s eyes.
“Sorry I’m late—I had to pick up Lucy,” he muttered, staring at the girl’s head.
“Who is this? Why did you bring her here? Why didn’t you call?” The questions spilled out before Emily could stop them.
“Let’s go to the living room. I’ll explain everything,” James said, nudging the girl forward by the shoulders.
Emily stayed rooted to the spot, watching their backs as they walked away. When she finally followed, they were already sitting side by side on the sofa. She took a chair instead, needing to see their faces properly. The girl glanced at her indifferently before turning to stare out the window.
“This is Lucy. My daughter,” James said, his voice a mix of guilt and grim determination.
“Your daughter? I don’t understand.”
“I only found out today. Her grandmother called—she’s going into hospital. She asked me to take Lucy.”
“And you just—believed her? How do you even know she’s yours?” Emily demanded.
James hesitated. “The dates add up. We can do a DNA test, but I’m sure. Either way, she’ll stay with us while her grandmother’s in hospital. She’s got no other family—her mother died in a car crash six months ago.” He looked at Lucy, who sat motionless beside him. “Emily, let’s eat. We can talk properly after.”
Emily stood abruptly and marched to the kitchen, her whole body rebelling against what she’d just heard. But she couldn’t just throw a child out. *This is temporary. Just a few days. This can’t be happening.* James led Lucy to the table, and Emily mechanically served the food—meat and potatoes—though she couldn’t bring herself to eat. Lucy picked at the potatoes, pushing the meat aside.
“Don’t like meat?” James asked. The girl nodded. “What do you like, then?”
“Pasta with sausages,” she muttered, staring at her plate.
“Well, sorry. Your dad didn’t warn me he was bringing you,” Emily snapped, unable to keep the bitterness out of her voice. *Already making demands, the little madam.*
“Tea? Or do you only drink juice? Sorry, we don’t have any—just tea,” she added sarcastically, pouring cups for them all.
“Emily, *stop*,” James cut in sharply.
She slammed the kettle down and stormed out. She heard them talking, heard James washing the dishes—something he never did. When he finally came to the bedroom, she was sitting stiffly on the bed, arms crossed, staring out the darkened window. He sat beside her, tried to pull her close, but she shoved his hand away.
“Lucy should get some sleep,” James said.
“Make up the sofa.” Emily stood and pulled spare bedding from the cupboard.
The girl stood by the wall, watching them sullenly. Once Lucy was settled, Emily and James retreated to the kitchen, where he explained everything—his past with Lucy’s mother, how it had ended before they met.
“She called me out of nowhere today and told me about Lucy.”
“But why didn’t you *warn* me? You just decided—brought her here without even asking! Did my opinion not matter?” *We’re going to have our own baby*, she wanted to scream—but she stayed silent.
“Emily, I was in shock. I couldn’t just leave her. Her grandmother’s dying. What was I supposed to do? Dump her in care? She’s my daughter.”
“You don’t *know* that!” she barely managed not to shout.
“I’ll get a DNA test. But for now, she stays,” James said firmly.
*His decision. Like it or lump it.* She read it in his eyes. Maybe he didn’t even want the baby she was carrying now.
That night, she turned her back on him. How could they even *think* about intimacy with a stranger—his possible daughter—sleeping next door? She wanted to scream. Emily felt their lives had irrevocably changed, and there was nothing she could do.
With every passing day, the tension between her and Lucy grew. They avoided each other, barely speaking when alone. Lucy did her homework or played on her tablet; Emily buried herself in the kitchen. Resentment festered. *Why now? Just when I’m finally pregnant? Fine, let her stay—but my own child will get all the love.*
On Saturday, James left early for the garage. Emily made lunch, then suggested Lucy go outside to play. The girl obeyed silently but stood apart from the other children, watching.
Then nausea hit. Emily turned away, bracing herself against bare bushes. When she returned—Lucy was gone. The other mothers hadn’t noticed anything. Emily ran around the playground, calling her name—but Lucy had vanished.
“How could you just *lose* her? Where do we even look?” James roared when he arrived after her frantic call.
“Don’t shout at me! I’m not her *babysitter*! She’s old enough to know better! Take her with you next time!” Emily shot back.
“Isn’t she yours?” A woman approached, holding Lucy’s hand.
“Where were you?” Emily snapped.
“Emily, let me,” James cut in. “Lucy, why did you leave? You *never* wander off.”
“I… I thought I saw Mum. I followed her—but it wasn’t her,” Lucy said softly.
“You *never* go with strangers!” Emily couldn’t stop herself. “What if something had happened?”
“She looked like Mum,” Lucy insisted, tears welling up.
“Don’t cry. We were just worried. Let’s go home,” James said gently.
Emily had been ignoring a dull ache in her stomach—but now it sharpened, coming in waves. She bit her lip, gripping the banister as they climbed the stairs.
“What’s wrong?” James asked, noticing her grimace.
“My stomach…” she gasped.
She managed two more steps before doubling over with a cry.
“Call an ambulance… *God*—”
James half-carried her inside, laid her on the sofa, and dialled 999. Lucy clung to him, wide-eyed. Everything blurred—paramedics asking questions, hands pressing her abdomen.
“We need to get her to hospital. She’s at risk of miscarrying. James, help us with the stretcher—you,” the paramedic nodded at Lucy, “grab what she’ll need.”
“Miscarry? Emily—you’re *pregnant*? Why didn’t you *tell* me?”
“I was going to… that day, but—” She couldn’t speak through the pain.
They followed the ambulance, James driving too fast, Lucy silent beside him. HoursAfter years of struggle, they finally became the family none of them had expected but all of them desperately needed.
