A Valentine’s Day Surprise That Revealed a Painful Truth
Lauren had spent weeks preparing for February 14th with excitement and care. She’d bought a charming gift—a heart-shaped keychain—and decided to surprise her boyfriend, James. In their two months together, she’d never been to his flat. Something always came up: work, meetings, or simply “bad timing.” But today felt different.
She rang his doorbell. Footsteps echoed inside… yet no one answered. Frowning, she pulled out her phone and called him.
“Hello?” James’s voice was muffled.
“It’s me. Open the door—I’m outside.”
“You… came over? Why didn’t you warn me?” His tone was strained.
“It just happened. Open up, and I’ll explain.”
“I’m not home. I’m… at work. Boss called me in. Sorry—he’s coming. Gotta go.” The line went dead.
Lauren stepped back, unconvinced. The neighbour she’d just passed swore she’d seen James enter the building. His window light was on, and she even spotted her own Christmas gift—a potted poinsettia—on his sill.
Something wasn’t right.
She returned to her car but didn’t leave. Doubt gnawed at her. Then an idea struck: what if she waited?
A nearby café offered a clear view of his flat. She ordered tea and watched. Minutes later, his curtain twitched. James peered out, scanning the car park—*for her vehicle*, she realised. He’d been home all along. Lying.
Soon, the building door swung open. Lauren froze. James emerged—not alone. A baby carrier strapped to his chest, a boy of about eight clutching a toddler’s hand, and a bespectacled woman trailing behind.
Lauren didn’t make a sound. She took photos—not for revenge, but as proof. A full stop.
She didn’t follow. Those children deserved better than a father who lied.
Later, at home, she blocked James’s number. He texted. Called. Even showed up unannounced.
She met him outside, arms crossed.
“What’s going on? Why are you acting like this?” he demanded.
“Sure you want the answer?”
“Of course! I’m clueless!”
“Take a look.” She showed the photos.
James paled. “Right… You saw everything.”
“And you still came here as if nothing happened? Thought you’d talk your way out?”
“Lauren, wait—it’s not what you think!”
“Sure. That woman’s a stranger, and those kids just wandered off from nursery? You told me you had a dog named Max. Turns out Max is your *son*?”
“Yes. He’s mine. So are the other two. The woman’s their nanny. My wife—ex-wife—left us. Moved abroad.”
“Why hide it? Why lie?”
“We were new. I didn’t know how you’d react. Didn’t want to scare you off—”
“Wait—when were you planning to tell me? At our wedding?”
“Lauren, I never meant to deceive you—”
“You did. Repeatedly. Hid your family, your life. Fed me lines about being free and single. I won’t stay in a relationship built on lies.”
“So you’ll leave? Like everyone else?”
“I’m nineteen, James. I’m not afraid of children. But I *am* afraid of deceit. And I don’t forgive it.”
She gripped the unused keychain, then walked away. No glances back. No regrets.
*I’ll save this for someone honest from the start. Someone worthy of love.*
