Mia and Emma were strolling through the park when they suddenly spotted a man and a woman embracing, him whispering in her ear while she beamed; Mia watched, eyes wide open, as Emma gasped, “Mia, what’s wrong? Mia!”—but Mia brushed it off, “Never mind, let’s go,” and the girls said goodbye. As Mia walked home, she could hardly believe what she’d seen, pleading, “Dad, how could you? How could you be with Mum?!”

Emily and her best friend Claire strolled through HydePark when, suddenly, a middleaged man and a woman caught their eye. He wrapped his arm around her, whispering something into her ear. She beamed, the kind of smile that seemed to bend the world. Emily stared, mouth open, unable to look away.

Emily, whats wrong? Emily! Claire hissed, eyes wide.

Nothing, Emily muttered, forcing a smile. Lets go. The girls said their goodbyes and headed home, the image looping in Emilys mind like a cruel film reel.

Later, as she trudged up the narrow steps to her flat in Camden, a cold dread settled over her. Dad, how could you? How could you do this to Mum? she whispered to herself, the words tasting like ash.

The next day, after a grueling piano lesson, Emily didnt feel like walking straight home. Liz, lets have a walk in the park first, she suggested.

Good idea, before it gets dark, Claire agreed.

The park was a winding maze of gravel paths, far from the shortcut they normally took, but Emily didnt care. They ambled along an alley, watching couples hold hands, sharing secret smiles, while the world ignored them.

Turning down a quiet lane, they again saw the same pairstill hugging, still whispering, the mans back to them but his age evident in the silver at his temples. Claire glanced at Emily, whose eyes were again wide open, unblinking.

Emily, what are you doing? Claire asked, alarmed.

Its nothing, Emily snapped, and hurried forward, leaving the park behind.

Emily walked home in a daze, head bowed, the parks scene replaying behind her eyelids: the womans radiant face, the mans soft words, the way they seemed oblivious to everything even to their own daughter.

Dad, how could you? Ive always thought you were perfect. Is there a lover? I would never have believed it if I hadnt seen it with my own eyes, she thought, heart hammering.

She arrived late. Sit down and eat! her mother barked from the kitchen. You wont wait for your father, you know.

Just a minute, I need to wash my hands, Emily replied, voice trembling.

The bathroom seemed endless. When she finally emerged, her father was still missing. She ate in silence, then retreated to her bedroom, flopping onto the desk chair. The laptop glowed, but her mind replayed the park tableau. Its my father Can betrayal be that ordinary in adulthood? What does he lack? Could he really leave Mum for this? A wild idea sparked.

Could his lover think Ill surrender my dad to her? She probably doesnt even know I exist, she muttered, fists clenched.

The front door creaked open. Sorry, love, its been a rough day, Jamess voice floated in.

Rough days used to be at the end of the month, Margaret shot back, the tension rising. Now theyre every day.

Jane, Im in a mess! James groaned, entering Emilys room as he always did, attempting a kiss. Emily shoved him away. Go, the dinners getting cold!

Whats happening? he asked, bewildered.

Nothing, Emily whispered, eyes darting.

He stared at her a moment, then turned and vanished down the hallway.

The evening stretched on; Emily stayed locked in her room, scheming a way to confront her father. She fell asleep with the plan tangled in her thoughts.

She woke to voices downstairs.

James, where are you off to?

To work. Its urgent.

Its Saturday, you could spend the day with us.

Ill be back by lunch, then well go somewhere.

Emily yawned, pretending shed just woken. Where are you going, Mum? her mother snapped.

Ive got a class, Ill be late, Emily replied, the lie tasting bitter.

Her mother huffed. Theyre busy all day, you know that.

Emily slipped away to the bathroom, then hurriedly dressed as she heard Jamess footsteps in the hallway. He smiled, trying to mask his guilt.

Emily, want a coffee? Margaret called from the kitchen, already pouring a mug.

Go on, have it, Ill wait, James said, his tone unusually gentle.

Emily gulped the coffee, sprinted to the hallway, and shouted, Come on, Dad!

They walked in silence for a few blocks. James finally broke it, Are you still angry with me, love?

No, Dad. Im just going through a phase, Emily said, pausing, then added, I love you, Dad.

I love you too, sweetheart, he replied, his voice cracking.

The biggest thing in the world? she teased.

He flinched, eyes flickering with suspicion, then forced a laugh. The biggest thing in the world!

They kept walking, each trying not to meet the others gaze.

Alright, Dad, Ive got to get to my class. Ill see you at lunch. You promised wed spend the weekend together, Emily said, trying to sound casual.

She slipped into the shadows of a hedge, waiting for James to turn. He headed the opposite way, never looking back.

They walked for a long stretch, James never glancing over his shoulder. Eventually they stopped in front of a modest terraced house. James leaned against a tree, pulled out his phone, and dialed.

A woman emerged a few minutes later, hair in a loose bun, eyes bright. Emilys breath caught. Shes beautiful, she whispered. Does she mean more to Dad than Mum does?

The woman hurried to James, kissed him, and they walked handinhand down a deserted lane. The neighbourhood was unfamiliar and almost empty. They settled on a park bench, spoke softly, then shared a lingering kiss. Emily watched from afar, humiliation swelling like a tide.

They stood, headed back to the house the woman had just left. Another kiss, another smile. James headed toward his own front door, while the woman disappeared into the stairwell.

Emily stood frozen, deciding her next move. All she wanted was to confront the other woman alone, then decide what to do.

Just then, the lover emerged from the stairwell, a grocery bag in hand, heading to the bins. Emily lunged forward, blocking her path.

Hey! she shouted, as the woman tried to toss the bag into the wheeliebin and swivel back.

Hey! the woman replied, startled. Whats this about?

Listen, if you meet my dad again, Ill make sure you regret it.

Who are you?

Dont you get it?

What do you want? the woman asked, eyes wide.

I’m his daughter, Emily snapped. Give me his phone.

The woman handed over the device. Emily typed in a number and pressed call.

Diane, whats happening? Jamess voice crackled.

James, were done. No more meeting.

Why?

It wont work. You have a family, and Im leaving town after graduation.

Diane, if James began, but Emily could hear a faint, hopeful note in his tone.

Enough, James. Dont call her again.

Alright, Diane, he said, the call ending with a decisive click.

Emily turned back to the house, where her parents were seated at the kitchen table, laughing softly over a modest supper.

Whats got you so chipper? her mother asked, wiping her hands on a dishcloth. Hungry?

I am, Emily replied, eyes flicking between them.

Are you really happy? James asked, his voice low.

Dad, do you love me? she asked, tears brimming.

I love you, he answered, the words heavy.

And Mum?

A brief silence fell. Then, with a sudden certainty, James said, I love your mother too.

Honestly, I love you both, he added, a smile finally breaking through.

The room softened, the tension easing as the family shared a quiet, uneasy peace.