April 15th, 2023 – Riley's POV

The house was becoming increasingly more crowded by the minute. Friends and family were being ushered into the backyard. It had turned out to be a beautiful spring day. It was perfect for moving the festivities out of my clean home.

I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of Josh and Andre. After what had happened only days ago, our communication had been minimal. I was talking as little as I could, keeping Josh at arm's length. But they had been invited by both Emma and I before anything happened. Now I could barely focus on the watermelon I was cutting in front of me.

"Where's the birthday girl?" I heard Josh's voice rise as he entered the kitchen.

"Hey, she's outside with my mother." I half smiled as he kissed me on the cheek. Both Josh and Andre had brought gifts in with them. Andre didn't say anything when he entered, simply walking past me and outside. My nose scrunched in frustration at the whole situation.

"I don't know what's up with him. He has been that way since we went to the park the other day." Josh sighed.

"Really? That's odd." I responded nonchalantly.

"Yeah, he has barely said three words to me."

"Well, what did you do?" I joked as I handed him the bowl of fresh cut watermelon.

"I did nothing," he smirked as he took it from me. "Where am I taking this?"

"Outside please." I leaned forward and pecked his lips.

"But of course." Josh walked away from me and disappeared outside. I let out my breath, bracing myself on the counter.

Andre hadn't said anything. Which I'm grateful for, but now it was affecting his relationship with Josh. Now my decisions were not only affecting Josh, but his friends. When would my lies stop, when would I be able to stop fucking up everybody else's lives? I was sinking and dragging everyone else down with me.

I jumped when I heard someone clear their throat. I looked up to see Andre standing on the other side of the counter. I quickly wiped away the tears I suddenly realized were falling down my cheeks. Turning around, I tried to busy myself with the food laid out around my kitchen.

"Riley?" Andre finally spoke.

"What Andre? What do you want me to say?"

"Riley, I can't do this anymore. And it's very clear neither can you." He whispered, glancing outside. I followed his gaze to Josh and Emma running around the backyard.

"Andre please..."

"Don't 'Andre please' me. I can't keep this a secret anymore. It's keeping me up at night and it's not fair to Josh," he interrupted me. I was startled into silence. "Say something."

"I'm trying Andre. Don't you think I'm trying? It's just not as easy as it sounds. Look at how happy he is, I can't watch the light run from his eyes Andre, I just can't." I sputtered.

"You're doing this for you own selfish reasons. This isn't about his happiness, it's about yours. You just don't want to lose him. You have no idea what his reaction will be. And if he leaves you again, so be it. If you truly loved him you would tell him. Stop lying to yourself Riley. You tell him today or I will."

And with that he filtered out of my kitchen, leaving me dumbstruck. I knew he was right. Every word he said. I'm not putting it off because Josh finally looks happy; I'm putting it off because I don't want to lose him.

Josh's POV

I put Emma back under the watchful eyes of Riley's parents. I decided to head back in and see if Riley needed some more help. I was about to enter when I heard Andre's hushed voice.

"… it's not fair to Josh." I halted just outside.

Not fair to Josh? What wasn't fair to me? Pressing my back to the wall, I listened to the cries coming from Riley.

"… I just can't." She spat out.

Can't what? I was getting more and more confused as I listened. I debated whether or not I should just walk in until I heard Andre reply.

"You are doing this for you own selfish reasons. This isn't about his happiness, it's about yours. You just don't want to lose him. You have no idea what his reaction will be. And if he leaves you again, so be it. If you truly loved him you would tell him. Stop lying to yourself Riley. You tell him today or I will."

It's quiet until I heard a door close and open. I peaked around the corner and saw Riley still in the kitchen just staring. There were tears falling down her face. I took a deep breath before stepping into the kitchen.

"Hey, have you seen Andre, I need his help with something," I asked her. She wiped her face quickly but I pretended not to notice.

"Yeah, he just went that way." She choked out before exiting to the backyard. I followed where she pointed, finding Andre standing in front of her fireplace.

"What's up?" I questioned. Andre turned, startled that there was someone in the room with him.

"Nothing. I'm just looking at pictures of Emma." He frowned, turning back to the fireplace.

"She's beautiful isn't she?"

"Yeah she is." He agreed. Frustrated with the small talk, I moved on.

"So, is there something you would like to tell me?" Andre was quiet for a minute before he answered.

"Nope." He shrugged.

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yeah I'm sure."

"Then why won't you look at me." I argued, grabbing his shoulder. He turned back to me, still refusing to make eye contact.

"I was looking at the pictures." He defended himself.

"Bullshit, I heard you talking to Riley in the kitchen. What do I need to know?" My voice rose slightly.

"Josh please, it's not my place." Andre sounded worried.

"Then why did you threaten her with telling me? Obviously it's something important." I could see Andre's façade crumbling.

"Josh," he began, but I cut him off.

"No don't Josh me. I am not a child; tell me what I need to know." I demanded.

"Emma, okay?"

"What about Emma?" My confusion was growing.

"Emma's your daughter Josh."

I felt my stomach drop. There was no way. "Excuse me?"

"Think about it Josh, she is your spitting image."

"That's impossible! I was still married when she was born." I continued to fight his accusation.

"Quit lying to yourself Josh. You and I both know that's bullshit."

"Jesus Christ Josh, open your eyes! You cheated on your wife five years ago and Emma is the outcome of that affair. Man up, and don't deny your child." He huffed.

I was in awe at his outburst. I thought maybe I knew it all along and I was just in denial. Maybe what I really needed was for someone to actually tell me. But that doesn't change the fact that Riley lied to me.

I have a daughter.

I have a daughter.