I FOUND A POSITIVE PREGNANCY TEST AND A NOTE IN A PACKAGE FOR MY DAD, SO I SPIED ON HIS DATE.
I was excited to visit my dad in the city. He was there for work, and I hadn’t seen him in weeks. At twenty-two, I lived on my own, but my parents had always been my anchor.
I was sitting in his hotel room, scrolling through my phone, when a courier knocked on the door.
“Can you grab that for me?” Dad called from the bathroom.
I took the package and read the label.
“You want me to open it?” I asked.
“Sure, it’s probably just something from work.”
I ripped the tape off and found a positive pregnancy test and a printed note: “My congratulations, darling! Meet me at Café * at 7 p.m.”
I felt sick. My father—my devoted father, married for twenty years—had a pregnant mistress?
I didn’t confront him. I figured my mom should be the one to have that conversation. So I put everything back in the box, sealed it, and told him I hadn’t opened it.
But I wasn’t just going to let it go. Later that evening, I went to the café. I found a quiet corner, sat down, and waited.
At exactly 7 p.m., my father arrived. He was carrying a bouquet of roses. My heart pounded as I clenched my fists, waiting for her—his pregnant mistress. The door opened, and a woman stepped inside. My breath caught. I knew her. She was the last person I expected to see.
I FOUND A POSITIVE PREGNANCY TEST AND A NOTE IN A PACKAGE FOR MY DAD, SO I SPIED ON HIS DATE.
My pulse thundered in my ears as I watched the woman step inside the café.
It was my mother.
Dressed elegantly in a navy blue dress, she scanned the room, her eyes lighting up the moment she saw my father. She walked toward him with a warm smile, and he stood, greeting her with a tender kiss on the cheek before handing her the bouquet.
I sat frozen in my chair, my mind racing. Had I been wrong? Had I completely misread the situation?
They sat at a table by the window, speaking softly. My mother laughed at something my dad said, and he reached across the table, squeezing her hand.
Confused and still reeling, I took out my phone and scrolled back to the picture I had taken of the note in the package. My heart nearly stopped when I re-read the words:
“My congratulations, darling! Meet me at Café * at 7 p.m.”
Suddenly, it clicked.
My mother was the one who was pregnant.
I inhaled sharply, gripping the edge of the table. She wasn’t my father’s mistress—she was his wife. And the package? It had been sent to him because they were planning to surprise me.
My stomach churned with guilt. I had been so quick to assume the worst, convinced that my father was having an affair. I had even considered telling my mother—when in reality, she was the one he was celebrating.
I watched as my dad gently placed his hand over hers, his voice low but filled with warmth. “Are you sure you’re okay? I know it’s been years…”
She nodded, smiling softly. “I’m nervous, but I’m happy. I never thought we’d get another chance.”
Another chance? Then it hit me—my mom had miscarried once when I was younger. They had never talked much about it, but I remembered the sadness that lingered in the house for a long time after. And now, after all these years, they were expecting again.
Tears pricked at my eyes.
I had been ready to expose my father, ready to hate him for betraying my mother. Instead, I had stumbled upon something beautiful—a new beginning for our family.
I felt a lump in my throat as I stood up. I couldn’t keep this to myself anymore.
Summoning my courage, I walked across the café, clearing my throat. “Mom? Dad?”
They turned, both of them startled to see me.
“Sweetheart?” my mom said, confused.
I swallowed hard, my voice breaking as I said, “Is it true? Am I going to be a big sister?”
My mother’s eyes widened, and my dad glanced at her in shock. Then, after a beat, she let out a soft laugh. “You weren’t supposed to find out like this.”
Tears streamed down my face as I rushed forward, hugging her tightly. “I’m so happy for you.”
My dad chuckled, shaking his head. “You spied on me, didn’t you?”
I winced. “Yeah… and I might have thought the worst at first.”
He sighed, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Next time, maybe just ask?”
I let out a watery laugh. “Yeah… that probably would’ve been smarter.”
My mother wiped away a tear, her smile radiant. “We were waiting for the right moment to tell you. But yes, sweetheart, you’re going to be a big sister.”
I hugged them both again, my heart overflowing with joy and relief.
Tonight hadn’t gone the way I expected—but it had brought me something even better. A second chance for my parents, and a brand-new chapter for our family.
