This summer was different. Amelia found out about Eliana, his firstborn, from another woman prior to their marriage. Terrified of his wife calling off the wedding, he decided to keep it a secret.

"I'll tell her when the time is right” He always told himself.

The time was never right, not until ten years later, at least. Apparently, Amelia had known for a long time but she never said anything about it. Perhaps she was waiting for him to say it himself. 

One afternoon, when the girls were playing in the garden, he finally mustered up courage to tell her the truth. He had her favorite tea and desserts served. For some reason, he felt terribly nervous. If Amelia had thrown a fit, as she should have, he'd have an idea of how she felt. 

“You called for me. What is it?” Amelia ask, taking her seat opposite opposite him

“Amelia, thanks for coming” said he

“I was in the middle of my reading. This better be important” She replied. 

She didn't spare a second glance at the delicacies in front of her. Was he wrong about her liking them? 

“The girls. They're growing up so fast. I remember holding Inés–” A shared memory should lift the awkward tension. Or so he thought.

“If you have something to say, please go straight to the point” 

Was she always that cold? 

“Wouldn't it be great if they had an older sister?” He braced himself for the worst

“I was wondering when you'd bring that up” 

Silence again. 

Theodore was ashamed

“Theodore, tell me why I had to find out for myself that I have a ten year old stepdaughter?” 

“Well, you see–” he began

“It was an accident.” She completed his sentence for him.

“Amelia, please, let me finish” He sighed

“But it is true, though, wasn't that what you were going to say?” She asked, pouring herself some tea. 

That was progress, right?

“I never meant for this to happen, truly” 

“I'm sure you didn't”

“Why are you acting this way? This isn't like you” He was right. It wasn't like Amelia to stay so calm in a situation like that. 

“What else am I supposed to do?”

“I don't know…get angry or something” 

“I found out about the girl six years ago. I was angry, of course but I held myself together. I expected you to tell me yourself” Amelia said, her tone sad, contrary to earlier. 

“Well, I'm telling you now aren't I?” 

“Only because you knew I'd found out. If I didn't, you probably would have taken that secret to the grave” Her tea had gone cold. She couldn't bring herself to drink any.

“That’s not true….you know it isn't” 

“Hm.. Is it, though?”

“Amelia, I'm sorry. It was foolish of me to keep this from you for so long” He bowed his head in shame. 

“Okay” She cut into the flan “Wow, just the way I like it” 

“Is that all you're going to say?” He asked, a bit peeved by her reaction. 

“The chef did a really good job, I should hire them” She took another bite. 

“You know very well that's not what I meant” 

“Apology accepted. I forgive you” She said

That easy? 

“Then, can we go back to how we were? It isn't right for–”

“Absolutely not. How dare you even consider that?” 

“But you just said–”

“By right, Theodore, I should divorce you and I wouldn't be wrong. I'd have the backing of the church and the court” Her words made Theodore's heart sink “But because of those children, I'm still here. Even if I were to get a divorce, you'd fight until you get custody of them. Perhaps you'd even remarry, who knows what the new wife would do to them?” 

“Amelia, you're overthinking it. I-I would never do that” 

“Oh? but you could hide a child from me?” 

“I’m sorry, I had no idea things would turn out this way” He apologized again, feeling even more terrible than before.

“Apology accepted. I feel we're going in circles” 

“What more do you want from me? I've already apologized. Do you enjoy seeing me miserable?” He had no idea what to do

That was exactly what she wanted. Seeing him miserable. 

An outsider would see her as a cruel wife who, despite her husband's sincere apology and remorse, refused to let things slide. They'd feel bad for him. Afterall, mistakes happen. 

He wouldn't have to suffer the consequences of his actions. 

How unfair.

“If you have nothing more to say, I'll be taking my leave”.