After everyone had arrived home and dinner was about to be served, I mustered up the courage to send a text to Dad. With trembling hands, I typed out the message and hit send. "EMILY IS PREGNANT AND I THINK MY STEP DAD IS RESPONSIBLE!!!" I then left my phone in the bedroom, knowing that Dad might call me to clarify and understand the message, but I was too afraid to discuss it over the phone.
As I made my way downstairs to the dining table, I could feel the tension in the air. Everyone was already seated, and the silence was deafening. Mom's eyes were fixed on me, and I could tell she was still bothered about what I had told her earlier. She had tried to brush it off, but I could see the concern etched on her face.
As we sat down to eat, the table was silent, unlike our usual lively dinner conversations. Mom couldn't take it anymore and spoke up, her voice trembling. "I never knew that I would one day regret my decisions," she said, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I never knew that one day I would only wish things were the way they used to be, living with a husband who loved, cared, and wanted the best for me. A husband who wasn't controlling, but protective. A husband who wasn't commanding, but guiding. A husband who wasn't authoritative, but wise."
George and Emily looked at each other, confused about what Mom was talking about. But I knew exactly where this was going. I felt a knot in my stomach as I realized that Mom was finally starting to understand the truth.
"But as foolish as I was, I had thought he was controlling, commanding, and authoritative," Mom continued, her voice cracking. "I didn't realize that he was just trying to protect me, to keep me safe from people like George. People who would take advantage of me, who would lie to me, who would cheat on me. People who would manipulate me, who would use me for their own gain."
George's eyes widened in shock, and Emily looked like she had been punched in the gut. "What are you talking about, Baby?" George asked, trying to feign innocence.
Mom's eyes locked onto George, her gaze piercing. "I'm talking about the way you've been treating me, George. The way you've been lying to me, cheating on me. And now, Emily's pregnant, and I know it's yours. I know that you're the father of her child. I know that you've been having an affair with my daughter, and I know that you've been lying to me about it."
The room fell silent, with only the sound of Mom's sobbing filling the air. I felt a mix of emotions: guilt, anger, and sadness. I knew that this was just the beginning of a long and painful journey.
Emily gently bent down, hiding her face on the table, feeling embarrassed and ashamed. Her body shook with sobs, and her shoulders trembled with each cry. She couldn't believe what was happening, and she didn't know how to face us her family.
George, on the other hand, was still trying to act innocent, backing himself up with lies. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, trying to sound convincing. "I'm a faithful husband, and I would never cheat on you."
But before he could continue, the door burst open, and Dad walked in, his face red with anger. "You're a liar, George!" he thundered. "I know all about your affair with Emily, and I know you're the father of that unborn child."
George tried to pick up his phone and make an emergency call, but Dad was too quick. He grabbed George's arm and twisted it behind his back, carrying him up and landing him on the table. George cried out in pain as Dad began beating him up, punching him in the face and stomach.
"You're a thief, George!" Dad shouted. "You've stolen my daughter's innocence, and you've broken my wife's heart. You're going to pay for what you've done."
Mom tried to intervene, but Dad was too angry. He pushed her aside and continued beating George, who was now crying and begging for mercy.
"Please, stop!" George cried. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"
But Dad wouldn't stop. He kept punching and kicking George until he was unconscious, lying motionless on the table.
Finally, Dad stopped, his chest heaving with exhaustion. He looked at Mom and me, his eyes still blazing with anger. "I'm sorry," he said. "I lost control."
Mom nodded, tears streaming down her face. "It's okay," she said. "I understand."
I just stood there, shocked and horrified by what I had just witnessed. I had never seen Dad so angry before, and I didn't know what to say or do.
As we stood there in silence, the doorbell rang again. It was the police, responding to a call from a neighbor who had heard the commotion. They arrested George and took him away, and Dad was left to deal with the aftermath of his actions.
The police officer turned to Dad and said, "Sir, you need to come with us. You're under arrest for assault."
Dad nodded, still trying to catch his breath. "I understand," he said. "I'm sorry for what I did."
As the police led Dad away, Mom turned to me and said, "I'm so sorry, sweetie. I don't know what to say."
I just shook my head, still trying to process what had happened. "It's not your fault, Mom," I said. "It's George's fault. He's the one who cheated and lied."
Mom nodded, tears still streaming down her face. "You're right," she said. "I'm just so sorry that it had to end like this."
George has been carried away on a stretcher, Dad dragged away by the police, now the three of us are the only ones left, Emily never lifting her face, too embarrassed to face us and Mom in tears and confused, not knowing what to do, I know that both of them would need some space to talk this out, it's almost quiet late in the night, Dad probably would be sleeping at the station tonight, I just headed to my room, grabbed my phone and made my way to the station.