**Shadows of the Past: A Dramatic Encounter for Emily**
*”You promised your parents would know about the baby and accept everything!”* Emily’s voice trembled, her eyes welling with fear and despair. She stared at James, but the man before her now felt like a stranger—cold eyes, clenched jaw, nothing like the man she’d fallen for.
*”You misunderstood me,”* James snapped, barely hiding his irritation. *”I was just rambling in the moment, and you actually believed it? Seriously?”*
*”Rambling? What am I supposed to do now… what about us?”* Emily still hoped he’d crack a smile, take her hand, and make everything right. They’d visit his parents, announce their engagement, and it would all be as she’d dreamed.
But James only smirked. *”If you go crying to my parents, I’ll make sure they know exactly who you are. Some gold-digger who seduced me and now plays victim with a baby. Don’t call me again. You won’t get a penny from me. Figure it out yourself.”* He shot her a final scornful glance and walked away without looking back.
Emily stood frozen, realising how cruelly she’d been deceived. She’d only just found out about the pregnancy, hesitating to tell James. She thought he’d be happy—hadn’t he said his parents wanted him to marry some woman he disliked? A child would change everything. But now the illusion shattered. Her mum had warned her: *”Em, you’re too trusting. Never put your faith in a man’s promises.”* Now she had to face the reality—balancing uni, work, and the baby growing inside her.
She knew a storm awaited her at home. Mum would cry. Dad would rage, threatening to *”sort out those posh prats.”* He’d snap at her mother, *”What were you thinking, Margaret? Didn’t teach our girl how these things happen?”* But then he’d soften, pulling her into a hug. *”Don’t worry, love. We’ll raise this little one. Those toffs will regret turning their backs!”* Emily already knew she was having a boy, and she was sure her dad would adore his grandson. *”Their loss,”* he’d say.
Her parents lived modestly—a cramped but cosy two-bed flat in an ageing building. Mum, Margaret, worked in a nail salon, painting delicate designs. She’d once dreamed of being an artist but life took her elsewhere. Dad, John, drove a cab now, though he’d once longed for the stage. Two old guitars sat in the corner, and sometimes he’d sing for Mum, with Emily joining in. *”I’ve let you both down,”* she thought, guilt twisting her stomach. But she knew they’d never abandon her, even if they grumbled.
Living off them wasn’t an option. She’d made this mess; she’d sort it out. Of course, she’d need their help—but tears weren’t her style. *”Right then, Em, you’re not alone anymore,”* she whispered, and the thought brought an odd calm. She was just like her parents—led by her heart. Time to tell them the truth, not to burden them, but to start fresh. She’d manage.
The next day, Emily went home, bracing for the difficult conversation. Dad answered the door, guitar in hand. *”Em, perfect timing! We’ve got company—an old mate’s visiting. Come in!”* The tiny living room was alive—a crowded table, laughter, the strum of guitars. A couple she didn’t recognise chatted animatedly with her mum. *”Old friends from back in the day, reliving the glory years!”* Dad grinned.
*”This is our Emily—bright as a button, third year at uni,”* John introduced her proudly. *”And this is my old mate Victor—we used to dream of being rock stars. Now he’s a proper businessman—Victor Hartwell.”*
Victor’s wife, Eleanor, hummed along before they all settled for tea, swapping stories of their youth. *”Lovely evening, Em. Glad you came,”* Mum murmured, giving her a tight squeeze. Emily couldn’t bring herself to ruin their joy—the truth could wait.
But she felt lighter. They were alive and well, and she carried new life inside her—what more could matter? Her parents would understand. Tough times lay ahead, but she’d face them. She rented a room, though it cost too much—she’d have to move back home. They’d always hated her living alone anyway. Uni would continue; she’d have the baby in summer. Her part-time office job brought in money and experience—her supervisor trusted her with real responsibility. *”Why did I even ask James for help?”* she wondered. *”Never expected such cruelty, that’s all.”*
On Friday, Mum called. *”Em, Victor invited us to his place in the countryside. You’re coming too—you’ve looked peaky lately. Fresh air will do you good. And we’ll talk properly, yeah?”* Emily agreed—a change of scenery might clear her head.
Victor’s home turned out to be a sprawling estate with manicured gardens. *”Bloody hell, Vic, you’ve done well for yourself!”* John clapped his friend on the back, chuckling. Emily noticed how her dad seemed younger here, reminiscing about their band days before life steered them apart.
*”John, it’s brilliant seeing you!”* Victor beamed. *”Meet our lad, still a bit of a waster—fifth year at uni. Needs to settle down, start helping with the business.”* He gestured to the young man stepping out of the house.
Emily’s blood ran cold. Standing before her was James. *”This can’t be happening.”*
*”What’s she doing here? Come to shame me?”* James shrugged off his father’s arm. *”No one’s buying her act—that kid’s not mine!”*
*”James, what’s got into you? Spouting nonsense again?”* Victor frowned.
*”You two know each other?”* Eleanor pieced it together.
*”Sod the lot of you!”* James stormed off, revving his motorbike into the distance. Silence fell.
*”Em, what’s he talking about? Are you expecting his child?”* Eleanor was the first to speak.
Fighting tears, Emily explained, careful not to blame James. She apologised to her parents first. *”Mum, Dad, I meant to tell you… just didn’t know how.”*
*”Well, now we know,”* John sighed, exchanging a look with Victor.
*”That little snake!”* Victor erupted. *”Sweet-talks a girl, then leaves her in the lurch? He’ll answer to me! He’ll marry you—I won’t have my grandchild growing up without a father!”*
Emily shook her head. *”I didn’t know James was your son. I wouldn’t have come. But I won’t marry a liar.”*
The countryside visit left its mark. The mood soured, but the old friends stayed united. Both sets of parents reeled but rallied quickly. Victor insisted on claiming his grandson, demanding Emily legally establish paternity.
When little Oliver arrived, help wasn’t in short supply. Emily even returned to uni. Oliver had two doting grandmothers, two proud grandfathers, and Victor and Eleanor adored him. James lived apart, never married, resenting his father—especially after Victor refused him a role in the business.
*”Why would I trust a man who betrays?”* Victor said flatly.
He offered John a job and Emily a place in accounts, but she declined—she liked her work. *”Let Ollie grow up first—he’ll carry on the family legacy,”* Victor teased his friend.
Emily raised her son, grateful for the love surrounding them. Marriage wasn’t a priority—she hadn’t met anyone worthy. Oliver was her world, along with her parents and Victor and Eleanor, who jokingly called themselves in-laws.
*”No husband, but the best in-laws I could ask for,”* Emily would laugh, feeling truly blessed.