Who Slept in My Bed and Left It a Mess… A Story About My Husband’s Lover, Our Daughter’s Favourite Mug, and How Twenty Years Went Down the Drain

Author Emily TaylorReading 8 minViews 2

Who Was Sleeping In My Bed and Messed It Up A Story

My husbands mistress was barely older than our daughtera round baby face, wide innocent eyes, and a nose piercing (he had thundered with fury when our daughter wanted one, strictly forbidding it). It was impossible to stay angry at a girl like thatJane looked at her bare, bluish legs and her short jacket and wanted to toss a remark: If you plan to have children with that blockhead, best buy a warm coat and wear tights under your jeans. Of course, she said nothing. Jane simply handed Alice the keys, grabbed two bags left with her things, and headed for the bus stop.

Mrs Carter, whats that thing under the kitchen counter? Alice called after her. Do you keep dishes down there?

Jane couldnt resist one parting shot: I usually hid my husbands mistresses bodies there, but you can go ahead and wash the plates if you like.

Without waiting for a reply or even bothering to look at Alices startled face, Jane marched down the stairs, feeling strangely satisfied. Well, that was thata whole twenty years up in smoke.

It was their daughter, Sophie, who first discovered that Mark had a mistress. She had skipped out on school, hoping the house would be empty, and found a young nymph sipping hot chocolate from her favourite mug. Given that the nymph was barely dressed and Dad was making a racket in the shower, clever Sophie added it all up fast. Immediately, she rang Jane:

Mum, I think Dads got a girlfriendand shes wearing my slippers and drinking from my mug!

Just like a fairy tale, Jane thought wryly, remembering the day, mostly how upset Sophie wasnot from her fathers betrayal, but because some stranger dared to touch her things. Who slept in my bed and crumpled it

Unlike Sophie, Jane handled it quite simply. Her pride was woundedafter all, the girl was young and beautiful, while Jane herself could count every extra pound and wrinkle that came with forty years. Yet relief swept over her toothe endless late-night calls, unpredictable work hours, all those coffee shop receipts (places Mark never took her) Jane had never caught him red-handed; Mark always covered his tracks so well that she felt to blame for even being suspicious.

This is the first time, Mark lied brazenly. I dont know, maybe some sort of eclipse, like a comet hit me on the head.

The comet turned out to be a hotel worker Mark met during a business trip. She was twenty and, besides her pretty face, didnt seem to bring much else to the table. Brains included, apparentlyshed even followed him to London, where she rented a grimy bedsit with her savings. Thats why they met at Marks flatthere was running water and a washing machine at least. Jane had always wondered why the quick wash kept getting used instead of mixed colours!

The flat belonged to Mark, a legacy from his father before marriage. Once Jane decided to file for divorce, she had to move with Sophie to her own place out on the edge of Londona flat inherited from her grandmother. Sophie protested bitterlyhow would she get to school now?

Well, live with us for a bit, Mark suggested, earning another volley of insults. At least their daughter could finally say what she truly thought of him.

At first, life was chaoticnew buses, new supermarkets, an hour to work and to school. But soon enough they adjusted. Jane found a new job; Sophie started college, just a half-hour journey away. There was no time for tearspractical problems and exams kept their spirits busy, and once you get through the hard times, sadness seems pointless.

Alice rang Jane a few timesasking about cake oven settings, where to put the tablet in the dishwasher. Once, she even popped by, bringing photos Jane had forgotten that were urgently needed for Sophies graduation. Mark couldnt (or wouldnt) go himself; Jane was laid up with a cold and Sophie flatly refused to enter the old flatinsisting it would mess with her mental state, especially having her computing A-level coming up.

Its cosy in here, Alice said awkwardly, peering at the faded wallpaper and retro lamps.

Jane just smiledwell yes, cosy is a word for it. The other place was modern and slick, twenty years of her effort. Well, let them enjoy it.

But that incident ended up biting Jane in the endone evening, almost a year after the memorable day, the lock turned in the door.

Anyone coming to see you? Jane asked Sophie.

Sophies eyes widened in alarm.

Alice stood on the threshold, crying, with streaks of black mascara and glittery eye shadow smeared down her cheeks. She clutched a sports bag.

Whats happened with Mark? Jane asked, suddenly worried.

Its over! Alice sniffled. I caught him with the secretary! I wanted to surprise him since he said hed be late at work and

She broke down again, child-like sobs muffled behind her hands.

Well, what do you want from us? Jane asked, already guessing what the bulging sports bag implied.

Can I stay with you tonight? Ive no money for a hotel. Ill catch the morning train home to my mum.

And how will you pay if youre broke?

I thought maybe youd lend me some.

Jane wasnt sure whether to cry or laugh.

Sophie decided for her.

You can go right now! she spat, and threw in some words Jane hadnt heard from her daughter before.

Jane gave her a reproving look.

Come in, Alice, Jane said. Its night; cant throw you on the street.

It got worse.

Sophie was so outraged she declared, Its her or me! Jane threw up her handsher daughter was of age, she could choose. If youd rather, head to your father.

I dont want your dador the flat! Ill stay at Natalies!

Jane had to call Sophie a cab for her night at her friends, then spend the evening making tea and calming Alice, who after a year in London had neither friends nor a job, just a fresh tongue piercing. Jane did lend her moneywhat could she do, heaven forbid she moved in permanently. She even drove Alice to the station to be sure she didnt get lost.

Alice thanked her for ages, apologising and vowing to turn over a new leafgo back into education and never again get tangled with married men.

My mother always said I was foolish. Guess she was right.

Jane didnt wave her off at the train, that was enough. She and Sophie made up quickly, but her daughter could never quite fathom how her mum let in the homewrecker. Jane stroked Sophies soft hair, smiled gently, and said:

“Youll understand when youre older.”

Mark rang a week later, claiming hed seen the error of his ways, left Alice, and was ready for a joyful reunion.

Run out of clean shirts, have you? Jane replied tartly.

Well, yes, her ex sighed. She doesnt know the first thing about laundry. Ive been wearing mucky ones for ages.

Jane didnt take him back. And she didnt gloat. But she couldnt deny ither mood had drastically changed after all this: a lightness entered her mind and heart, and she found a smile came easier. She got herself a dog and spent evenings walking it. She even met a pleasant neighbourso what if he was ten years her senior; she was no teenager herself. And life settled into its own new rhythm.

Sometimes when you let go of bitterness and help someone else, even someone whos hurt you, you find a freedom and happiness you never expected. Life isnt about whats lost, but about the kindness you choose, and the new beginnings that wait just around the corner.

Unwanted Child – So, have you chosen a name for your little one? The elderly doctor, wearing a practiced professional smile, looked at his young patient. – We haven’t actually picked a name yet, – interrupted Natalia, seated on a chair by the bedside. – It’s an important decision; Dasha needs time to think carefully. – I don’t want to pick one. – The young mum spoke up unexpectedly. – In fact, I’m not taking her home. I’ll be signing her over. – What are you saying? – The woman leapt up, shooting her daughter a furious glance, then turned to the doctor. – She doesn’t know what she’s saying. We’re definitely bringing the little one home. – I’ll drop by later, have a rest for now. – The doctor had no desire to witness a family dispute. As soon as the man left the room, the woman rounded on the girl. – How dare you say something like that? What will people think of us? Moving to this town was enough of a scandal. That child must remain in our family. – And whose fault is that? – Dasha stared her stepmother down. – If you’d listened to me back then, none of this would have happened. I would’ve finished school and gone to uni. So if you want that baby, you have her. Dasha turned her back, making it clear the conversation was over. Natalia tried for another few minutes to get through to her, but a nurse soon popped in and asked her to leave. The patient needed rest. Now Dasha was alone in the ward. She sobbed quietly into her pillow, praying to every god she could think of just to make it all end. A timid knock made the girl dry her tears. She took a deep breath and said, “Come in.” She expected a nurse or perhaps even her father, but the woman who entered was a complete stranger. – Is there anything I can help you with? – Dasha struggled to maintain a mask of calm. – I overheard… quite by accident! The doctors were talking in the next room, – the woman hesitated, unable to voice her question outright. – Yes, I want to give the baby up. That’s what you wanted to know, isn’t it? – I saw your mum… – She’s not my mum! – Dasha snapped, losing her composure. – Just my stepmother with far too much to say. My real mum works abroad. – Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you, – the woman faltered. – It’s just, I have three children and I spent my whole childhood in a children’s home. I feel so sorry for your little girl – she hasn’t done anything wrong! – They say babies that little get adopted quickly, – Dasha shrugged. – I can’t even bring myself to hold her, let alone anything else. If Nat had kept out of it, I wouldn’t even be here. – But you’re old enough to make your own decisions now, aren’t you? You’re over fifteen? – “Such shame!” – Dasha mimicked the stepmother. “How will we ever show our faces to the neighbours?” – I don’t understand… – Let me tell you, – Dasha gave a crooked smile, – maybe then you’ll stop judging me. **************************************************** Dasha’s last year at school was a disaster. Not only had her boyfriend Pasha been conscripted, their class had taken in a new boy – a flashy city lad, banished to their small town by his father as punishment for his behaviour with girls. He didn’t care about relationships, just racking up numbers. That was why he’d been sent away; his escapades were ruining his father’s reputation. Makar handed out expensive gifts, took girls clubbing and to fancy restaurants. One by one, her classmates fell for the act, each hoping to become the “prince’s” bride. Dasha was the only one who didn’t fall for his tricks – she was in love with Pasha and wanted no one else. Had the new boy finally got the message? It seemed so at first. How wrong she was. In late December, a friend held a birthday party. The whole class attended, including Makar, who paid the event special attention. But his intent wasn’t to celebrate the birthday girl. During the party, Dasha took a call out in the hallway. When she returned, Makar was sitting in her seat. She didn’t think much of it, until she suddenly felt very unwell… She woke in the morning, barely able to open her eyes. Beside her lay Makar, grinning. – See, all that effort for nothing, – he said casually. – Consider this my compensation. I’m honestly surprised. Your Pashka’s a real loser. Getting home was a struggle. Dasha could hardly walk in a straight line; passersby stared at her with disgust. She rang the doorbell instead of fishing for her keys; she knew her stepmother would be home. – Where on earth have you been? – Natalia snapped. – You didn’t come home, wouldn’t answer your phone, and just look at the state of you! If your father spotted you now… – Call a doctor and the police, – Dasha interrupted. – I want to make a formal complaint. He should be put behind bars. Natalia stiffened. Putting two and two together, she reached her own conclusion. – Who? – Makar, who else? – Dasha could barely speak. – No one else would dare. Call them, or I will. – Wait. – Natalia paced. She always looked for an angle. – They’ll get him off. We’ll do things my way. I’ll contact his dad and ask for a settlement. – Are you insane? – Dasha could hardly believe it. – A settlement? I’m going to the police now! – No, you’re not! – her stepmother grabbed Dasha’s arm, dragging her into the bedroom. She was too weak to resist. – You’ll be the one blamed; townsfolk will point and whisper. Leave it to me. Dasha had lost her phone somewhere along the way, or maybe left it at her friend’s. She was effectively trapped. Natalia locked her in, and her head spun worse than ever; she collapsed onto the bed… A couple of days later, Dasha got sent to her grandmother, who lived a hundred kilometres away. She didn’t want to worry the old lady, so she pretended everything was fine. A month later, she got the awful news. That night had left her pregnant. Natalia was thrilled. This baby would secure them an easy life! Granddad would pay, as he always had, covering for his son’s mistakes. Just keep it quiet until the fifth month. Dasha’s wants weren’t considered. The moment she suggested ending the pregnancy, Natalia flew into a rage and began watching her like a hawk. Granddad wasn’t thrilled, but handed over a hefty sum and promised regular payments. ***************************************************** – Do you understand now? I’ve suffered so much because of this baby. Pasha dumped me; he didn’t believe a word I said. Friends turned their backs, we had to move, and I didn’t even finish school! – I’m sorry for judging you before I knew the whole story, – the woman admitted, ashamed. – But the baby isn’t to blame. – Dasha, we need to have a serious word! – Natalia swept into the room, dragging her husband. – I’ll have to ask visitors to leave. This is a family matter! The woman gave a sympathetic look and left, closing the door firmly behind her. – I won’t let you ruin my perfect plan. Leave the baby here and you’re not coming home again. Where will you go then? Your dear granny’s dead, her flat went to your uncle. You’ll be out on the street. – No, she’s coming home with me. – An elegant woman entered the room. Dasha’s eyes lit up with joy. – Mum! You came! – Of course I did, I couldn’t leave you in trouble, – Albina hugged her tight. – If you’d told me, I would’ve brought you home long ago. I only thought it would be easier here for you to finish school. – I thought you didn’t want me, – Dasha sobbed. Despite everything, she was still just a child. – Someone kept telling me you wanted nothing to do with me. My presents were returned unopened, I could never get through to you. I thought I’d upset you. But never mind, – her mother said briskly, wiping away tears. – We’ll go home, and you’ll forget all about this… ****************************************************** Dasha left. Natalia took the baby, hoping for an easy ride. But when the powerful grandfather found out, he came and took the little girl for himself, making Makar finally own up to paternity. As for Dasha, she’s happy at last. She’s with the one person who’ll always help and never betray her…

The Unwanted Child “How would you like to name your baby girl?” The elderly doctor smiled with professional courtesy at his young patient. “We haven’t decided on a name yet,” interjected Natalie, sitting on the chair beside the bed. “It’s a big decision—Dasha needs time to think.” “I don’t want to name her at all,” the young mother suddenly replied. “I’m not going to keep her. I’m going to sign her away.” “How can you even say that?” the older woman jumped up, shooting a furious glare at the girl before turning to the doctor. “She doesn’t know what she’s saying. Of course we’ll take the baby home.” “I’ll come back later—you should rest.” The doctor was clearly uninterested in witnessing the family drama. As the door closed behind him, Dasha’s mother unleashed a torrent of rebukes. “How dare you say such a thing? What will everyone think of us? We’ve already had to move to this city just to keep things quiet—this baby belongs in our family.” “And whose fault is that?” Dasha looked her stepmother square in the eye. “If you’d listened to me back then, none of this would have happened. I’d have finished school and moved on. If you want this baby so much, you take her.” She turned to face the wall, ending the conversation. Natalie tried a few more minutes to change her mind, but a nurse poked her head in and told her to leave; the patient needed rest. Dasha was left alone, muffling her sobs in the pillow, wishing it would all be over. A timid knock at the door made her wipe her tears. She took a deep breath and said, “Come in.” She expected a nurse, or maybe her father, but the woman who entered was a complete stranger. “Can I help you?” Dasha struggled to maintain her mask of calm. “I overheard… completely by accident! The doctors were chatting just outside my room.” The woman hesitated, clearly reluctant to ask her question. “Yes, I want to give up my baby. That’s what you want to know?” “I saw how your mother—” “She’s not my mother,” Dasha cut in sharply. “Just a stepmother, and a self-important one at that. My real mum works abroad.” “Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you,” the woman faltered. “It’s just… I have three kids myself and I can’t understand your reasons. I grew up in care and I’m so scared for your little girl… she hasn’t done anything wrong.” “Little ones like her get adopted quickly, or so I’ve heard,” Dasha shrugged. “I can’t make myself even hold her, let alone more. If Natalie hadn’t interfered, I wouldn’t be here.” “But you’re old enough to make your own decisions now, over fifteen, right?” “It’s such a disgrace!” Dasha mimicked her stepmother’s voice. “How will we ever show our faces in town?” “I don’t understand…” “I’ll tell you,” Dasha smirked. “Maybe then you’ll stop judging me.” ******************************************************** Dasha’s final year of school was an utter disaster. Not only had her beloved Pasha been called up for service, but a new boy arrived in their class—a posh Londoner, banished to their small town by his influential father as punishment for too many ‘adventures’. He pestered all the girls, not after a relationship but a ticked box for his list. That’s why his father had sent him away in the first place—he was damaging the family’s reputation. Makar showered them with expensive gifts, took them to clubs and fancy restaurants. One by one, the girls gave in, each thinking she’d become the ‘prince’s fiancée.’ Dasha held her ground. She was in love—no one but Pasha existed for her. Soon enough, it seemed Makar realised she was off-limits and moved on. Or so she thought. She was wrong. At a friend’s birthday party in December, the entire class gathered, Makar among them. But he wasn’t there to wish the birthday girl. In the thick of the party, Dasha took a call in the hallway. When she returned, Makar was sitting at her place. She thought nothing of it—until she began to feel ill… In the morning, Dasha barely managed to open her eyes. Next to her lay Makar, grinning smugly. “Well, you finally gave in,” he said, as if nothing had happened. “Think of it as compensation. I always knew your precious Pasha was a fool.” Getting home was a struggle for Dasha. Her whole world was spinning. Passersby shot her looks of disdain. She rang the bell—her stepmother would be home. “Where have you been?” Natalie snapped. “You didn’t come home, ignored your phone, and just look at the state you’re in! If your father saw you like this—” “Call a doctor, and the police,” Dasha interrupted. “I want to file a report. Let them arrest him.” Natalie stiffened. Putting two and two together, she came to her own conclusion. “Who?” “Makar, obviously—I couldn’t imagine anyone else being so brazen. Call them, or I will.” “Wait.” Natalie calculated rapidly; she always looked for personal advantage. “He’ll just wriggle out of it. We’ll do something else—I’ll contact his father. He can pay us off.” “Are you mad?” Dasha was aghast. “I want justice, not hush money! I’ll go to the police myself.” “You’re going nowhere!” Natalie grabbed her arm and pulled her into the room. Dasha was too weak to resist. “You’ll be blamed, the whole village will gossip. I’ll sort everything.” Dasha had lost her phone somewhere, or maybe left it at her friend’s. The door was locked. Her head reeled—all she wanted was to lie down… A few days later, Dasha went to her grandmother’s, a hundred kilometres away. The old woman knew nothing—Dasha just pretended everything was normal. A month later, Dasha’s whole world collapsed—she was pregnant from that night. Natalie was overjoyed. This baby would mean financial security! Granddad would pay up handsomely to make the problem go away. Just say nothing until after five months… No one ever asked Dasha what she wanted. When she suggested having the baby adopted, Natalie exploded in a furious tantrum and refused to let her out of her sight. Granddad was not happy, but produced the cash, and promised more. ********************************************** “So now you see,” Dasha finished. “I’ve been through hell because of this baby. Pasha dumped me—he didn’t believe a word. Friends abandoned me. I had to move, didn’t even finish school!” “I’m sorry—I was judging you without knowing the facts,” murmured the woman. “But the little girl still isn’t to blame.” “Dasha, we need to talk!” Natalie appeared, dragging her husband along. “If you don’t mind, this is a family matter.” The stranger gave Dasha a sympathetic look and left, closing the door tightly. “I won’t let you spoil my plans. If you leave the baby here, don’t bother coming back home. Where will you go? Your precious gran is gone, her flat’s your uncle’s now. Will you beg on the streets?” “No, she’ll come with me.” An elegantly dressed woman swept into the room. Dasha’s eyes lit up with hope. “Mum! You came!” “Of course I did. I couldn’t leave you alone,” said Albina, wrapping her daughter in a hug. “If you’d told me everything earlier, I’d have taken you home ages ago. I wanted you to finish school here, thought it’d be easier.” “I thought you didn’t want me,” Dasha sobbed, suddenly a child again. “Someone told me you didn’t want to see me. Presents came back unopened, you never answered… I thought you couldn’t forgive me. But never mind,” Albina said cheerfully, wiping Dasha’s tears. “We’ll go home together and start fresh…” ********************************************************************* Dasha left. Natalie, hoping for a comfortable life, took the baby. But when the influential grandfather found out, he came and claimed his granddaughter. Makar, reluctantly, had to acknowledge the child. Dasha, though, is happy at last—living with the one person she can truly trust to always be there for her.