**Diary Entry**
I sat there, frozen. Everything looked as it always didthe crumpled pyjamas with race cars printed on them, the backpack stuffed with toys in the corner, the coat slung over the chair. All of it so familiar, so comforting. Except my boy wasnt tearing through the house like a whirlwind. He was curled up on the bed, knees tucked to his chest, face hidden.
“I dont want to go to Dads,” he mumbled. “Aunt Lily said Dad doesnt love me anymore.” My heart twisted.
Today was meant to be his visit with his father, but suddenly, he was begging to stay. If I really thought about it, hed been dreading these visits for a while. Id tried to reassure him, but then hed blurted it outLily, his dads new girlfriend, had been cruel to him.
“Thomas,” I said carefully, sitting beside him. “Tell me what happened.”
He stayed quiet, then lifted his head just enough to peer up at me. For a five-year-old, his eyes held a weariness that didnt belong there.
“I was just playing She got mad because the toy was loud. That robot, remember? She took it and said Dads going to forget about me when they have their own baby. That Im in the way.” His voice wobbled. “And if I tell anyone, theyll believe her, not me. Because shes a grown-up.”
My chest burnedanger, guilt, fear, all churning at once. I reached for his hand. “I believe you. Know why? Because you never lie. Well, except when you sneak sweets.”
He snorted but didnt smile. “Dad chose her instead of me.”
“Dad just doesnt know the truth yet,” I said firmly. “But he will. I promise.”
Later, after tucking Thomas in, I made tea, letting the quiet of the night settle over me. My mind drifted back to when I first met Lilyif you could call it that.
A year ago, an anonymous message had popped up: *”Good evening. I shant introduce myself, but know I mean well. If youd like to know where your husband spends his evenings, meet Monday at seven at The Rose & Crown on Baker Street. Table by the window.”*
Back then, Id wondered who this well-meaning stranger was. Now I knewLily. A do-gooder with rot beneath her smile.
That night, I saw it allDavid sitting across from her, their fingers entwined, the quick peck on the cheek. Hed mumbled something about a business meeting, an old friend, “nothing serious.” But I wasnt prepared to forgive betrayal.
We divorced. But Thomas stayed. And so did Lily, who wasted no time becoming Davids new wife.
She played the part perfectlypolite, sickeningly sweet, brilliant with kids. She even bought Thomas gifts at Christmas. Puzzles, dinosaur sets, oncea giant stuffed frog.
But those werent for him. They were for David. Lily wasnt fighting for my sons affection. She was fighting for his fathers. Her kindness was a tool, her smile bait. And now, with her patience wearing thin and a baby of her own on the way, shed dropped the act.
Her mistake? I could walk away from a man. But not from my child.
A to-do list hung on the fridge, untouched. I had one last task tonight. The most important one.
I stared at my phone for a long moment before dialling. The rings stretched unbearably. When David answered, irritation sharpened his voice. “Its late. Something urgent?”
“Yes. We need to talk. About Thomas.”
I heard the shift in his breathing. “Whats wrong? Is he ill?”
“No. He doesnt want to see you. Says Lilys been telling him awful thingsthat you dont love him anymore, that youll replace him once your new baby comes.”
Silence. Then, clipped and defensive: “Emily, dont be ridiculous. Youre seriously buying into this? Always stirring trouble, always dragging Thomas into it!”
“Im not stirring anything. Im his mother. And I listen. You, clearly, dont.” My voice steadied. “He was afraid to tell you. Seems he was right.”
“You weaponise him against me!” he snapped. “You want him to hate us, to make me grovel. Youre impossible, Emily. Absolutely impossible.”
I bit back my fury. This was Davidnot a bad father, but forever stuck in teenage defiance, convinced the world was against him. He could be gentle with our son, yes. But when it came to Lily? His sense vanished.
Thomas reached for his teddy bear on the shelf, and for the first time in years, David and I shared a lookone of understanding. Because no matter what, love for him would always tie us together.
