When Brian wanted to use his father’s computer, he discovered a “PRIVATE” folder that was password protected. Curiosity got the better of him and he was able to deduce the password to the folder. But what was inside scared him.
Eighteen-year-old college student Brian was deeply focused on his project, and the Greenwood house was silent. Brian’s teacher and esteemed economics professor, Alex, came home looking exhausted after a day at college. Brian’s mother Amanda said worriedly, “You look exhausted,” she greeted Alex.
Alex sighed and said, “It’s been a long day,” talking about the demands of the end of the semester.
The topic of Brian’s college experience came up at dinner with his family. Brian said, “The classes are good,” and then, a little nervously, “There’s a girl, Elizabeth White, but she seems to be avoiding me.”
Alex tensed at her remark. “Elizabeth White? Brian, you should avoid her as much as possible. She is not a positive influence,” he remarked in an unusually firm tone.
“Why, father? What is the matter with her?” Surprised Brian asked.
“She is known to be quite frivolous… seen with various boys.
Brian felt disgusted. He liked Elizabeth very much. “Anyway. Can I use your laptop later, Dad? He was acting weird, so I changed the subject.”
Alex said, “Of course, you can use it anytime.”
The next morning, Brian had the house to himself and sat down in front of his father’s laptop. Curiosity got the better of him and he discovered the password-protected “Private” section.
Remembering “Rocky0710”, their dog’s date of birth, he was shocked to see what was in the folder when it was opened.
Brian opened the first photo and felt his pulse quicken. It was a picture of Elizabeth and his father holding hands warmly against an ocean background. In another photo, Elizabeth was kissing him on the cheek.
Brian was hit hard by the reality of the situation; it was clear why his father had always opposed Elizabeth.
“How could he?” Feeling stunned and heartbroken, Brian mumbled.
Brian’s anger grew as he continued to consider how his father had betrayed his mother. He was afraid that his mother would not be able to accept the reality of Alex. However, Brian also harbored a desire to get revenge on his father for his actions.
The days stretched into weeks and Brian kept quiet about his feelings as he worked out a strategy. He decided that the prom would be the perfect opportunity to exact his revenge.
Excitement was in the air on prom night.
Brian finally made it to the stage, carrying the weight of his secret.
He spoke and declared, “Today I will share the truth about my father.” A loud gasp echoed down the hall as images of Alex and Elizabeth appeared on the big screen.
A murmur filled the crowd as Alex stood up and made his way to the stage. He struggled to speak, his confession weighing heavily on him. “I have been unfaithful to both my son and my wife for a long time,” he said.
Carla Thompson, the principal, tried to stop him, but Alex kept talking. However, it is not what you believe. I’m not Elizabeth’s friend.
He revealed, “She’s my daughter,” leaving everyone stunned.
“And her mother is the headmistress of the college, Mrs. Thompson,” Alex said.
Everyone in the room was going through a range of emotions as they tried to process what Alex had just revealed.
It turns out that 18 years ago, during Brian’s childhood, Alex and his wife Amanda got into a heated argument. After learning that she was seeing someone through his friend Adam, he became furious with her. “How could you subject me to this? Us? I saw the pictures you took with him.” Alex yelled at her.
Amanda was astounded beyond measure. But in reality, she wasn’t. She even tried to clarify that it was all a misunderstanding and that she was at a friend’s house.
But Alex wasn’t listening. Enraged, he ran out of the house and headed to the bar next door, trying to forget his troubles. The bartender tried to cheer him up, but it was Carla—a teacher at the college where Alex was principal at the time and a former co-worker of his—who asked him to come to her birthday party at the bar that night to distract him.
Carla noticed that Alex was not feeling well as the evening wore on and the party ended. She then offered to take him home. They ended up kissing and spending the night together after drinking too much.
After what he told Amanda, Alex felt terrible about what happened when he woke up in Carla’s apartment the next day.
Amanda was concerned when he arrived home early in the morning. “Alex, how are you? You smell like booze,” she commented, looking visibly distressed.
Alex lied about his whereabouts to hide what he had done. He answered, avoiding Amanda’s gaze, “I was just at a friend’s house and lost track of time.”
At that moment, Amanda revealed the truth. “Remember those pictures we took at the hotel, me and that guy? Just to clarify, he was planning a surprise for your birthday,” she claimed, showing some receipts.
Alex apologizes to Amanda after she feels terrible and realizes that she did nothing wrong. “I’m sorry. I should have trusted you.” But in order not to upset her even more, he decided not to tell her about his own mistake.
Amanda declared, “Let’s promise to trust each other from now on,” and they decided to start over. Amanda was determined to make sure Alex had a wonderful birthday and tried her best. Everyone at the party, including Carly, laughed and told stories while catching up with friends, family, and co-workers.
But when Carla pulled Alex aside, things changed. She sounded very serious as she said, “We need to talk.” Alex then followed her outside.
“I’m pregnant, Alex, and it’s your baby,” she announced at that moment, shocked.
Alex was taken aback. If word of his one-night stand got out, his reputation would be ruined. Carla then came up with a plan: “After I move out, I’ll put the baby in a shelter and I’ll have him.” When I get back, I want to take over as director. This child is not what I desire.”
Alex agreed. “Okay, Carlo. He said, ‘We’ll do it your way,’ he took a major step that would change their lives.
Brian’s eyes widened as Alex finished telling his story to the kids and professors. Stunned by what they learned, the hall fell silent.
Elizabeth lost all control of her rage. She exploded at Alex saying “When I found you you told me my mother died and you never knew you had a daughter!”
Elizabeth, I was afraid. Alex said, begging for forgiveness, “I couldn’t face the truth about the hideout…about leaving you.”
However, Elizabeth hit him back and left. A man who lied to her and his family was not someone she wanted to work with.
Brian said angrily, “I never want to see you again,” Alex said. “You are a liar and a traitor.
He also came out of the corridor shaken. In the midst of all this, Amanda started calling for help after suffering a heart attack due to the shock of what she learned. Amidst astonishment and alarm, the crowd dispersed as the rescue team rushed in.
Alex sobbed alone in her seat as paramedics carried her away. He tried to make things better by telling the truth, but it only made things worse. Brian was unable to forgive Elizabeth for his betrayal and Amanda became quite ill due to the stress.
As he sat there in the quiet evening, Alex realized how his decision had upset several individuals. Restoring order seems quite difficult. He realized that he had to acknowledge the pain he had caused and slowly but surely work to regain their trust.
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Here’s another story to read if you enjoyed this one: Margaret discovers that her husband owns two cell phones, putting their marriage in jeopardy. She fights for her marriage, determined to keep it intact and provide a whole family for her beloved daughters. However, she still does not know what is best for her children and herself.
The story reveals the deep consequences of secrets and misunderstandings in a family. Brian’s discovery of his father’s hidden relationship with Elizabeth, initially seen as an affair, unravels a complex web of deception. Alex’s attempt to protect his family from the truth by concealing Elizabeth’s existence ultimately fails, leading to public humiliation and heartbreak. This story highlights the devastating impact of unresolved issues and hidden pasts on relationships and illustrates how attempts to protect loved ones through deception can lead to greater damage.
Alex’s confession at the prom serves as a pivotal moment when the truth shatters not only his family but also his credibility and respect. The revelation that Elizabeth is his daughter, born of a one-night stand with Carla, turns the narrative from mere scandal to a deeply personal betrayal. Alex’s actions underscore the importance of honesty and trust in maintaining family bonds, as his initial inability to face his own mistakes leads to a cascade of painful consequences for all involved.
Brian’s reaction to his father’s revelation reflects the emotional turmoil and sense of betrayal felt by those who are deceived. His anger and decision to expose Alex during the ball show a desperate need for justice and truth, even at the cost of family harmony. This response illustrates the complex emotions that arise when children discover their parents’ shortcomings and highlights the need for open communication and understanding in families to manage such crises.
The story also touches on themes of forgiveness and redemption. Alex’s journey from a respected professor to a man seeking forgiveness for his past mistakes underscores the difficulty of rebuilding trust once it has been broken. His realization of the pain he has caused and his desire to make amends highlight the possibility of redemption, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. However, the narrative leaves the reader questioning whether forgiveness is attainable and whether a broken family can ever truly heal.
Ultimately, this story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of secrecy and the importance of honesty in relationships. It invites readers to reflect on their lives and consider the value of transparency and trust in maintaining healthy and loving connections. The narrative invites empathy for all characters involved, recognizing the complexity of human emotions and the profound impact our actions have on those we care about.