The Favorite Father
The man stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his tie with a mixture of pride and nervousness. Tonight was a special night—his daughter’s sweet sixteen.
As a single father, he’d poured his heart and soul into organizing the event, wanting everything to be perfect.
The ballroom at the country club was decorated with shimmering lights and pastel balloons, the tables laden with flowers and gold-rimmed plates. It was an extravagant affair, the kind of party that would make her eyes light up with joy.
Time To Party
42-year-old Steven Mayer stood in the middle of the grand ballroom, surveying the scene before him. The room was aglow with soft, twinkling lights that danced across the crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
The walls were adorned with pale pink and gold decorations, and a massive floral arrangement served as the centerpiece of the main table. Everything was perfect, just as he had planned it.
For his daughter Trisha’s sweet sixteen, Steven spared no expense. He wanted to make sure that this night would be one she would never forget.
Like Her Mother
The man adjusted his tie, a slight nervousness creeping in. As a single father, he always felt the pressure to do more, to compensate for what he feared might be lacking.
Trisha’s mother, Tegan, was not around much—by choice—and though they didn’t get along, Steven was determined to make up for her absence.
Although Trisha lived with her mother half the time, they didn’t have a good relationship. He had been both father and mother to Trisha, and tonight was a testament to his dedication.
A Fun Time
The music shifted to a more upbeat tune as the guests began to arrive. Steven watched as a steady stream of Trisha’s friends poured into the room, all dressed in their best attire, their faces lit up with excitement.
He smiled, knowing that his daughter’s happiness was the priority tonight. He knew that he did good by her.
As he walked towards the entrance, he caught a glimpse of Trisha standing by the door, greeting her friends with hugs and laughter.
Thanks Dad
The pretty princess spotted her father. “Dad!” Trisha called out as she saw him approaching. Her eyes sparkled with joy, and she looked every bit the princess in her pale pink gown. “This is amazing! I can’t believe you did all this!”
Steven smiled, his heart swelling with pride. “Only the best for my girl,” he said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “Are you having fun?”
“It’s perfect,” Trisha replied, her voice filled with emotion. “Everyone’s here, and the decorations are beautiful. I can’t believe you pulled this off.”
The Best Birthday
The doting dad was all smiles knowing that he made his daughter so happy. It was a birthday she would never forget.
“I had a little help,” Steven admitted, thinking of the event planner he’d hired to ensure everything went smoothly.
But the credit was ultimately his—he’d been hands-on with every detail, making sure that the party was exactly what Trisha wanted.
A Really Good Time
As the evening progressed, Steven mingled with the other parents, exchanging pleasantries and accepting compliments on the party.
But his attention was always on Trisha, watching her laugh and dance with her friends. He had never seen her look so happy.
Every time she caught his eye, she would give him a smile, a silent acknowledgment of her gratitude. It was their secret language.
Happy Faces All Around
Everybody was having a great time. “Mr. Mayer, this party is incredible,” one of the parents said, interrupting his thoughts. “You’ve really outdone yourself.”
“Thank you,” Steven replied politely, though his mind was still focused on his daughter. He didn’t want to be rude.
He excused himself from the conversation and walked toward the dance floor, where Trisha was surrounded by her friends, all of them clapping along to the music.
Daddy Daughter Dance
His daughter played his favorite song. “Dad, come dance with us!” Trisha called out, waving him over.
Steven hesitated for a moment, then joined them, his awkward dad moves eliciting laughter from the group. But Trisha was beaming, and that was all that mattered to him.
For a moment, all the worries and responsibilities he carried as a single father melted away, replaced by the pure joy of seeing his daughter so happy.
Playing The Part
He took a deep breath, knowing this was a night she would remember forever. Tegan, Trisha’s mother, was absent as usual, and Steven couldn’t help but feel a pang of resentment.
Their relationship had never been smooth, and after the divorce, it had only gotten worse. He didn’t want Trisha to grow up without her mother.
But he had stepped up, becoming both father and mother to Trisha, and today was the culmination of all his efforts. Nothing could ruin it.
A Special Girl
As Steven entered the ballroom, the sound of laughter and music filled the air. Trisha was at the center of it all, wearing a flowing pink dress that made her look like a princess.
When she saw him, her face lit up, and she rushed over, wrapping her arms around him. “Dad! This is amazing!” she exclaimed; her voice filled with excitement.
“You deserve the best, sweetheart,” Steven replied, smiling as he hugged her back. He was happy to see her surrounded by friends, each one complimenting her on how beautiful the party was. Trisha began introducing him to her friends, and Steven made polite small talk, shaking hands and offering warm smiles.
It’s Going Well
Steven stood in the middle of the grand ballroom, watching as his daughter, Trisha, floated across the floor, her smile lighting up the room.
It was her sixteenth birthday, so Steven had spared no expense in making sure it was a night she would never forget.
He knew that being a single father had its challenges, but today, seeing Trisha so happy, it all seemed worth it. But would everything go as planned?
Meeting Everybody
Steven smiled and made his way through the crowd, nodding at the familiar faces of neighbors and family friends. “Dad!” Trisha called out, waving him over. “Come meet my friends!”
He had worked hard to ensure everything was perfect, from the lavish decorations to the gourmet catering. But as he approached Trisha and her group of friends, something unsettling crept up his spine.
“This is my dad!” Trisha said proudly, introducing him to her friends one by one. “Dad, this is Kelly, Amanda, and Alicia.”
One Friend
The kind father greeted each girl and thanked them for coming. But Steven’s smile froze as his eyes met Alicia’s.
There was something about her, something in her eyes that triggered a deep, buried memory. She looked so familiar, but he couldn’t place her.
Suddenly, a flashback hit him like a ton of bricks. The image of a young woman, her eyes filled with a mixture of joy and fear, surfaced in his mind.
Only This Girl
He noticed one girl in the group, a petite brunette with striking blue eyes. There was something unsettlingly familiar about her. As Trisha introduced her as Alicia, Steven’s breath caught in his throat. A cold shiver ran down his spine. He looked at Alicia closely, his mind racing. Where had he seen her before? The more he stared, the more the memory came rushing back.
Suddenly, he was no longer in the present. He was back in that small town twenty years ago, a time he had tried so hard to forget. The memories flashed before his eyes—an affair, a scandal, and a decision that changed his life forever.
Alicia was the spitting image of a woman he once knew, a woman whose name he hadn’t spoken in years. He felt his stomach churn.
She Looks Like Somebody I Know
Trisha’s voice faded into the background as Steven tried to compose himself. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Alicia’s face was connected to a part of his past he had long tried to forget.
“Are you okay, Mr. Mayer?” Alicia asked, her voice snapping him back to the present. “Uh, yes, of course,” Steven replied, his voice strained. “It’s nice to meet you, Alicia.”
As the girls giggled and talked, Steven’s thoughts drifted back to his college days, to a relationship that had ended abruptly and painfully.
Out Of Sorts
Steven’s hands began to tremble as he struggled to maintain his composure. The noise of the party faded into the background, replaced by the pounding of his own heart.
“Dad, are you sure you’re, okay?” Trisha asked, noticing the tension in his face. “I’m fine, sweetheart,” Steven said, forcing a smile. “Just need some air.”
He had to get out of there. “Excuse me,” he mumbled, barely able to get the words out before he turned on his heel and walked briskly toward the exit.
Taking It In
Outside, the cool night air hit him like a splash of cold water. He took deep breaths, trying to calm himself, but the memories continued to swirl in his mind.
What was she doing here? Why now? He leaned against a tree, his mind spinning with questions that had no easy answers.
All he wanted was to be a good father to Trisha, to protect her from the mistakes of his past. But now, it seemed like the past had caught up to him.
What Are The Chances
Without another word, he excused himself and walked out of the ballroom, the noise of the party fading as he stepped outside into the cool night air.
The weight of what he was beginning to suspect settled heavily on his chest. He leaned against the wall, his mind racing.
“Could it be?” he whispered to himself. “Is Alicia…?” He rubbed his forehead as he started to get a headache.
All This Time
The thought was too overwhelming to process. He hadn’t seen Tegan, Trisha’s mother, in years, and they had parted on bad terms.
But before Tegan, there had been Michelle. Michelle, his first serious girlfriend in college, who had suddenly disappeared from his life without explanation. The memory of her leaving haunted him for years.
Trisha had noticed her father’s sudden departure and began to worry. She excused herself from her friends and went in search of him, her heart sinking with each passing moment. She found him outside, standing alone under the stars. “Dad?” she called softly; her voice filled with concern.
Talk To Me
Steven jumped, startled out of his thoughts. “Trisha… I’m sorry, I just needed some air,” he said, trying to force a smile. But Trisha wasn’t fooled. She knew something was wrong, something that had shaken her father to his core. “What’s going on?” she asked, stepping closer. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Steven hesitated, the words catching in his throat. How could he explain the turmoil inside him without unraveling everything? He couldn’t bear the thought of Trisha knowing the truth, of her seeing him as anything less than the father she adored. “It’s nothing, really. Just some old memories,” he finally said, hoping it would be enough to satisfy her.
But Trisha wasn’t convinced. “You can tell me, Dad. Whatever it is, I can handle it,” she insisted, her eyes searching his for answers.
His Real Daughter
Steven looked into her eyes, the same eyes that had always looked up to him with trust and love. He wanted to tell her, to unburden himself of the secrets that had haunted him for so long.
But he couldn’t. Not now, not on her special night. He forced another smile, this one even weaker than the last. “I’m fine, Trisha. Really,” he said, his voice betraying him.
Trisha reached out and took his hand, squeezing it gently. “If you say so, Dad. But just know that I’m here if you ever want to talk,” she said softly, her words filled with warmth and understanding.
He Can’t Ask
Steven nodded, unable to find the right words to respond. His heart ached with the weight of what he couldn’t say. He watched as Trisha gave him one last concerned look before heading back inside, leaving him alone with his thoughts once more.
He stood there in the darkness, his mind reeling. Alicia’s face was etched in his memory, a haunting reminder of a past that refused to stay buried.
The questions kept coming, each one more unsettling than the last. What was she doing here? Did she know who he was? Did she know the truth about her mother?
Stuck In Between
Steven’s thoughts were a tangled mess, and he felt like he was drowning in them. He had tried so hard to leave the past behind, to build a new life for himself and Trisha. But now, it seemed like everything was unraveling, and he didn’t know how to stop it.
He wanted to run, to escape from the memories that threatened to consume him. But he couldn’t.
Not when Trisha was inside, surrounded by friends, blissfully unaware of the storm that was brewing outside. He couldn’t let her special night be ruined by his own demons.
Time To Think
A few other parents tried to make conversation with him as he stood outside smoking a cigarette. But he wasn’t in the mood to talk.
So, he stood there, frozen in place, as the night grew colder and darker around him. Smoking and thinking.
The laughter and music from the party drifted out into the night, but it sounded distant, like it was coming from another world. Just like that, the happy feeling was gone.
He Can’t Do It
Steven’s mind raced with possibilities, each one more terrifying than the last. What should he do next?
He thought about the woman he had known so long ago, the choices he had made, and the consequences that had followed.
He thought about Trisha, about how much she meant to him, and how much he wanted to protect her from the truth. But he had no idea how much worse things were going to get.
Keeping Secrets
Steven was starting to feel sick to his stomach. The truth would shatter the reality of their current lives.
But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t shake the feeling that the past was catching up to him, that it was only a matter of time before everything came crashing down. He was confused, scared, and utterly lost.
And so, he stood there in the silence, staring up at the stars, searching for answers that he feared would never come.
It Wouldn’t Hurt
Just then, Trisha came back outside. “Dad?” Trisha’s voice broke through his thoughts as she stepped outside, concern etched on her face. “What’s going on? You’ve been acting weird ever since you met Alicia.”
Steven looked at his daughter, her worried eyes mirroring his own confusion. He didn’t want to burden her with this, but the questions gnawed at him.
“Trisha,” he began slowly, “what’s Alicia’s mother’s name?” Trisha looked puzzled. “Her mom’s name is Michelle. Why?”
Confirms It
Steven’s heart sank. It was her. He was sure of it now. Alicia was Michelle’s daughter—his daughter. But how could that be? He had never known Michelle was pregnant, and she had never told him. All these years, he had been unaware that he had another child.
“Dad, why are you asking about Alicia’s mom? What’s going on?” Trisha pressed, her voice rising with worry.
Steven ran a hand through his hair, the reality of the situation crashing down on him. “Trisha, I need you to trust me on this. I have to leave for a while.”
Running Away
“What? No! You can’t just leave in the middle of my party!” Trisha protested, grabbing his arm. “What’s happening? Why are you acting so strange?”
Steven took a deep breath, struggling to find the words. He wanted to tell her the truth, to explain everything, but he couldn’t. Not yet. Not here. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. Something important has come up, and I need to take care of it.”
Trisha’s eyes filled with tears. “But, Dad, this is my birthday. You can’t just leave me like this!”
Don’t Wait Up
Steven’s heart ached seeing her so upset. He cupped her face in his hands, trying to convey how much he loved her. “I promise I’ll explain everything later. Right now, I need to find someone.”
“Find someone? Who?” Trisha asked, confused. But Steven couldn’t answer. He just shook his head and kissed her forehead. “Please, just trust me.”
Trisha let go of his arm, her face a mix of hurt and confusion. “Why dad?” Steven turned and walked away, the sound of her party fading into the background as he made his way to his car. He had to find Michelle. He had to know the truth.
Trust Me On This
Steven’s heart sank. It was true. Alicia was his daughter. He had another daughter, one he had never known, one who had been growing up all these years without him.
The weight of the revelation was almost too much to bear, but he couldn’t let Trisha see how deeply it affected him. “No reason,” Steven said, forcing himself to sound casual. “Just curious.”
Trisha frowned. “Are you sure you’re, okay?” “I’m fine,” Steven lied, his voice barely above a whisper. “I just remembered something I have to take care of. I’ll be back in a bit.”
Searching For Truth
Without waiting for a response, Steven turned and walked down the driveway, his thoughts in turmoil. What was he going to do? How could he keep this a secret? And what did Michelle want? Was she trying to get back into his life? Or was this just a coincidence?
Steven walked aimlessly, his mind racing through a thousand possibilities. He needed to talk to Michelle, to find out what she knew, what Alicia knew.
But how could he do that without alerting Trisha? He couldn’t risk her finding out this way. She deserved better than that.
A Long Time Ago
As he walked, memories of his time with Michelle flooded back. He remembered how in love they had been, how devastated she had been when he walked away. Had she ever forgiven him? Had she ever moved on? And what about Alicia? Had she grown up without a father because of him?
The guilt gnawed at him, and he clenched his fists, trying to push the thoughts away. He needed to stay calm, to think this through rationally.
But every time he thought of Alicia, his heart ached. She was his daughter, and he had missed so much of her life. How could he ever make that right?
Around Town
Steven found himself at a park, the playground equipment silhouetted against the darkening sky. He sat down on a bench, burying his face in his hands.
What was he going to do? How could he face Michelle after all these years? How could he face Alicia? And how could he ever explain this to Trisha?
The questions swirled in his mind, each one more overwhelming than the last. He didn’t have the answers. All he knew was that his life had just been turned upside down, and there was no going back.
A Sneaky Way
Steven knew he had to make a choice. He could confront Michelle, try to make amends, and figure out what role he could play in Alicia’s life.
Or he could walk away again, pretend he never saw her, and let Trisha’s party continue without any more drama.
But as he sat there in the quiet of the park, he knew deep down that he couldn’t walk away this time. He couldn’t make the same mistake twice. He had to face his past, no matter how painful it might be.
Found It
The clever father found Alicia’s home address on a school assignment she and Trisha did together. She didn’t stay far.
With a deep breath, Steven stood up and started walking back to his car. He had no idea what he was going to say, how he was going to explain everything, but he knew one thing for certain: he couldn’t run from this. Not anymore.
The drive across town was a blur. Steven’s mind was racing with possibilities. Was Michelle planning to confront him? Why had she kept Alicia a secret all these years? Was she here to disrupt his life?
The Right Place
When he arrived at the address Trisha had given him, he parked the car and sat for a moment, gathering his thoughts. The house was modest, with a small garden out front. Steven took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
After a moment, the door opened, and there she was—Michelle. She looked older, more mature, but it was definitely her. The same woman he had fallen in love with all those years ago.
“Steven,” she said, her voice filled with a mix of surprise and apprehension. “What are you doing here?” Would she give him the answers he needed?
How Have You Been
Steven stared at her, trying to keep his emotions in check. “We need to talk, Michelle. It’s about Alicia.”
Michelle’s eyes widened, and for a moment, she looked as if she might close the door on him. But then she sighed and stepped aside, letting him in.
They sat down in the living room, the air thick with tension. Steven could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he finally asked the question that had been tormenting him all evening. “Is Alicia my daughter?”
Can’t Hide Anymore
Michelle looked away; guilt written all over her face. “Yes,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “She’s your daughter, Steven.”
The confirmation hit him like a punch to the gut. All these years, he had missed out on her life. He had another daughter he never knew about.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked, his voice cracking with emotion. “Why did you keep this from me?” But he had no idea what his ex-girlfriend was going through.
Had My Reasons
Michelle looked down at her hands, tears welling in her eyes. “I was scared, Steven. I didn’t know how you’d react. We were so young, and when I found out I was pregnant, I panicked. I didn’t think you’d want anything to do with me or the baby.”
Steven felt a wave of anger and sadness wash over him. “You had no right to make that decision for me, Michelle. I had a right to know.”
“I know,” Michelle said, tears streaming down her face. “And I’ve regretted it every day since. But when I saw you again tonight, I knew I had to tell you the truth.”
Two Teenage Daughters
Steven leaned back in his chair, his mind reeling. He had another daughter—a daughter who had been right under his nose, and he hadn’t even known it.
“What happens now?” Steven asked, his voice barely above a whisper. He was furious with Michelle for lying to him.
“I don’t know,” Michelle replied. “But Alicia deserves to know the truth, too. She deserves to know who her father is.” Would they tell her?
The Right Thing
Steven nodded, knowing she was right. But how would Trisha react to this news? How would Alicia? His world had just been turned upside down, and he didn’t know how to put the pieces back together.
But one thing was clear—he couldn’t run from this. He had to face it, no matter how difficult it would be. “Then we tell her,” Steven said, determination in his voice. “We tell her everything.”
Michelle looked at him, her expression one of relief and fear. “Are you sure?” Steven nodded. “I’m sure. It’s time I made things right.”
Back Home
The next day, Steven returned to visit his daughter, his heart heavy with what was about to happen. Trisha was thrilled to see him, but her excitement quickly faded when she saw the seriousness in his eyes.
As he approached the house, he could see the girls having fun, in full swing through the windows. They had a sleepover after the party. The sight filled him with a mix of dread and determination. His daughters—both of them—deserved the truth. And it was time he faced it.
“Dad, what’s going on?” she asked, her voice trembling. Steven took a deep breath, bracing himself for the hardest conversation of his life. “Trisha, there’s something I need to tell you. It’s about Alicia.”
How To Tell You
As he spoke, he could see the confusion and hurt in his daughter’s eyes. But he knew that this was the right thing to do. The truth had to come out, no matter how painful it would be.
The room was silent as Steven tried to reveal the secret that had been hidden for so long. And as the words left his mouth, he couldn’t help but wonder—was this the end of everything he had worked so hard to build, or was it the beginning of something new?
For now, though, Steven slipped back inside the house, determined to keep the secret a little longer. He would deal with Michelle, with Alicia, but tonight was still Trisha’s birthday. And he wasn’t going to ruin it for her. Not yet.