A wave of nausea washed over me. I blinked, hoping I was imagining things, but the birthmark remained. It was unmistakable. Tom stepped away to catch up with his old buddies, leaving me alone with Sarah. My mind raced with thoughts. I tried to keep my composure, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.“Sarah,” I began, my voice barely above a whisper, “can I ask you something?” “Of course,” she replied, her eyes widening. “That birthmark… on Joshua’s neck. It’s just like Tom’s. It’s quite a coincidence, isn’t it?” I said, trying to sound casual, but my heart was pounding in my chest. Sarah looked at me, eyes filled with sorrow and regret. “Angelica, I can’t lie anymore. Back in high school, Tom and I… we had an affair. It was brief, and we both regretted it. But then I found out I was pregnant.”I felt like the air had been sucked out of the room. “Pregnant?” I whispered, barely able to form the words. Sarah nodded, tears brimming in her eyes. “Yes. When I told Tom, he was shocked. He didn’t know what to do, so he told his parents. They all decided it was best to keep it a secret. They offered me a large sum of money and agreed to provide informal child support until Joshua turned 18, in exchange for my silence. They didn’t want to lose you as a daughter-in-law, coming from such a noble and wealthy family.”I stared at her, trying to process what I was hearing.
“So… Joshua is Tom’s son?” My voice trembled, and I felt a lump in my throat. “Yes,” Sarah replied, her voice breaking. “I’m so sorry, Angelica. I didn’t want to hurt you. I thought this was the best way to handle it at the time. But living with this secret has been eating me up inside.” I felt like the ground had been pulled out from under me. Tears streamed down my face as I struggled to comprehend the betrayal. Without another word, I stood up and walked away, my heart shattered.The shock and devastation hit me like a tidal wave. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions. Betrayal, anger, sadness, and confusion all swirled together. I started to cry, unable to contain the overwhelming pain. I knew I couldn’t stay at the reunion any longer. I needed to get away, to process everything that had just been revealed. I hurried out of the venue and drove home in a daze. When I arrived, I didn’t say anything to Tom. I just started packing. Tom followed me into the bedroom, his face etched with concern.“Angelica, what’s wrong? Why are you packing?” he asked, his voice trembling. I glared at him, the weight of the secret suffocating me. “Don’t you dare act clueless, Tom,” I snapped, tears welling up in my eyes. “I know everything.” His face went pale. “What are you talking about?” “You lied to me for years,” I shouted, my voice breaking. “Sarah told me everything.” Tom’s eyes widened in panic. “Angelica, please, let me explain—”“No,” I cut him off, my voice firm. “I’m done listening to your lies.” I gathered the children’s things and loaded them into the car. Emma and Jack looked at me with confused eyes, but I couldn’t find the words to explain. I just needed to get away, to find solace somewhere. “Mommy, where are we going?” Emma asked, her voice small. “We’re going to Grandma and Grandpa’s house,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.Together with the children, I drove to my parents’ house in another city. The journey felt like a blur, my mind racing with thoughts of betrayal and heartbreak. When we arrived, my parents welcomed us with open arms, sensing that something was terribly wrong. I broke down and told them everything. They were shocked and devastated for me, but they offered unwavering support. “We’re here for you, Angelica,” my mother said, holding me close. “Whatever you need, we’ll help you through this.”Over the next few days, I began to come to terms with the betrayal. The pain was still raw, but I knew I had to be strong for Emma and Jack. I started preparing for the divorce process. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I knew it was the right one. Tom’s betrayal had shattered the trust in our marriage, and there was no way to rebuild it. My parents were my rock during this time. They helped me care for the children and offered emotional support. Their love and understanding gave me the strength I needed to move forward.As I prepared for the divorce, I felt a sense of resolve. This wasn’t the end for me; it was a new beginning. I was determined to move forward for the sake of my children and myself. I found a lawyer and started the necessary paperwork. Each step in the process was painful, but it also felt like a step toward healing. I knew I had a long road ahead, but I was ready to face it.With the support of my family, I began to see a future beyond the betrayal. A future where I could find happiness and stability for myself and my children. I was preparing for a new chapter in my life, determined to move forward with resilience and hope. This wasn’t the end of my story, but the beginning of a new one. One where I would emerge stronger, wiser, and ready to embrace whatever the future held.