The closer the wedding day came, the more melancholic Liam became. Emma couldn’t understand what had happened to him. Perhaps he had changed his mind, just like her, and started to feel guilty toward his friend? He remained gentle and affectionate with her, caring for little Adam, and everything seemed fine on the surface. But Emma had this nagging feeling that something was troubling him deeply.

— Liam, — she finally couldn’t take it any longer. — What’s bothering you? Is something wrong?

Emma’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.

— Could it be about Adam? Is something wrong with him?

Liam lowered his gaze, his voice heavy and muffled.

— I thought I would keep this secret forever, but I realize now that I can’t do this to you. After what you’re about to hear, you may not want to marry me anymore. But I have to tell you the truth. Adam’s father is alive. He’s back in his hometown.

— What are you saying? — Emma’s eyes widened, and tears started to fall. — When did you find this out? Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Is he hurt? — Suddenly, Emma felt a jolt of fear, and a thought crossed her mind. — He’s become disabled, hasn’t he? He doesn’t want to be a burden to me, does he? I’ll go to him right now!

She rushed toward the wardrobe, pulling open drawers and frantically searching for something, as if she were about to pack her bags and leave immediately.

Liam grabbed her hand gently but firmly.

— Wait, Emma. Everything is fine with Adam’s father. He came back with me. He asked me to say he had disappeared because he wanted to leave the door open in case he wanted to return to you.

Emma listened to Liam, not fully understanding what he was saying.

— Adam’s father has found someone else. A woman he had loved from the beginning, but she was ten years older and always turned him down. However, the last time he visited his family, things changed. They finally connected, and… he decided to try with her. If it doesn’t work, he’ll come back to you.

— You’re lying! — Emma screamed, her voice breaking with disbelief. — You’re all lying! Why would you say such cruel things?

— Emma, forgive me, — Liam sighed deeply. — I love you, and I can’t keep lying to you anymore, even if I know it’s going to hurt you.

Emma wiped away her tears, her voice trembling as she spoke.

— Leave. I don’t want to see you anymore. Never. Do you hear me?

— I knew this would happen, — Liam nodded, his voice soft and filled with regret. — You’re right. I deserve this. I should have told you the truth from the start. I hoped he would realize that no one could compare to you and would come back to you and Adam. But I stayed silent because I fell in love with you, and I didn’t want to hurt you. Please, forgive me again.

He reached out to hold her, but then hesitated, letting his arms drop to his sides, defeated and miserable, before walking out.

Emma didn’t want to cry anymore. There was a cold, aching lump in her chest that wouldn’t let the tears flow. Deep down, she already knew that everything Liam had said was true. But she had to see it for herself. Emma gathered Adam, bought a plane ticket, and found the address — written on the same envelope that contained a letter from Adam’s mother. She didn’t know what she would say when she arrived, but she was determined to go there and figure it out along the way.

An elderly woman in a floral dress and a long fur vest answered the door. She glanced at Emma, then at her son, and muttered:

— He’s the spitting image of Adam as a child. He said you were lying. Come in.

Emma stepped inside, and after a moment’s hesitation, Adam’s father appeared, looking a little uncomfortable. He clung to his mother’s side.

— So, why are you here? — asked Adam’s mother, her voice sharp. — You need his address, right?

Emma nodded silently.

— I’ll call him now, — she said. — His wife is very possessive.

— Wife? — Emma echoed, stunned.

When she saw Adam’s father, her first impulse was to rush into his arms. But instead, she was met with his cold, distant gaze that briefly flicked over their son. Emma froze.

Adam’s mother gently took her grandson’s hand and led him to the kitchen. Emma and Adam’s father were left alone.

— Do you even realize what I’ve been through? — Emma asked quietly.

— So, it’s all worked out for you, hasn’t it? I heard you’re getting married, right? — There was an unfamiliar tone of aggression in Adam’s voice, one that Emma had never heard before. It was as though she, not he, was the one who had betrayed him.

— I’m not getting married anymore, — Emma replied bitterly.

— Well, that’s your business, — he shrugged indifferently. — Say what you need to say quickly. Alla will call any minute.

In that moment, Emma realized that the Adam she had once loved was no longer there. He had moved on. He loved someone else now, probably happy with her, tolerating her jealousy, and now, as he looked at their son, the only thing on his mind was that his wife might call.

Emma stood up, her voice barely above a whisper:

— Nothing. Actually… I just have one question: didn’t you even want to see your son?

— Liam sent me pictures, — Adam replied coldly. — He told me how things were. I offered him money to help you, but he refused. So, it’s not my fault.

He lingered for a moment before asking:

— Well, should I go now?

Emma nodded. What more was there to say?

As she prepared to leave, Adam’s mother stopped her.

— Let me at least feed you. And your son needs to sleep. Do you even follow his routine?

— I do, — Emma replied defiantly, even though she wasn’t sure herself.

— Well, then, eat and put him to bed.

Emma didn’t understand how everything had gone wrong, but while Adam slept, she confided in the woman. She told her how happy she had been with her son, how they had saved up for a house and a wedding, how she had waited for Adam and couldn’t believe he had disappeared.

— What a rascal, — Adam’s mother muttered, shaking her head.

Before Emma left, she said:

— Alla is a stubborn woman. You’d better stay away from here. But I’ll try to come and see you, after all, you’re family. Don’t be angry with me, I didn’t know this was Adam’s son. As for Liam… He’s a good man, don’t throw people like him away. He made a mistake. He just wanted to help his friend. You’ll forgive him, won’t you? He only wanted to do what was best.

Emma waved her hand vaguely.

She forgave Liam, but not right away. It was Adam who helped her through it all, his constant questions and cries, asking about Liam, the man who had been like a father to him for so long.

— Mama, where’s Uncle Liam? — he asked one evening. — Does he not love us anymore?

And that was when Emma gave in. After all, everyone deserves forgiveness. Especially when you love them.