Robert, a 32-year-old husband and father, has successfully balanced business and family life with his wife, Candice, and his five-year-old son, Samuel, fondly known as “Sam.” Robert and Candice have been happily married for eight years. Initially, both worked, but for the past five years, Robert has been the primary provider for their family, with Candice staying at home.

So, although Robert worked till 7 p.m. five days a week, Candice took great care of the house and their baby.However, things took an unexpected turn when Robert detected a shift in Sam’s behavior toward Candice. When she attempted to kiss or hug him, he did his best to avoid her presence. Robert was aware that something was awry. He could not understand why his son felt so far from his mother.

A few days passed before Robert decided to speak with Sam.”Sam, why have you been avoiding your mom recently?” Robert asked one day when Candice was out running errands. “Mom has changed. “She has a secret and doesn’t want to share it with me,” Sam replied, his face filled with perplexity and grief.”What do you mean?” “What is the secret?” Robert inquired, fearful of his son’s response.

“When you are at work, she frequently cries in her room.” When I stepped in and asked why she was sobbing, she screamed and begged me to go. “She was holding a photo, but as soon as I walked in, she put it in the green box and hid it under the mattress,” Sam attempted to explain. Robert was shocked. He couldn’t help but wonder what had made his wife so upset, and what was in that green box Sam mentioned.

“How often have you heard your mom crying?” Robert was excited to learn. “This week, she has cried virtually every day. She thinks I’m not paying attention, but I hear her and notice her puffy eyes. But now she shuts the door to her room, and when I come to ask her what’s wrong, she acts as if nothing has occurred. I do not like it, Daddy. “You must take action,” he said, concerned.

“Do not worry, son. Your mother undoubtedly had a reason for this. “I will talk to her,” Robert assured Sam. But deep down, he was concerned since he had no idea what was going on with his wife. When Sam went to his room to play with his toys, the two of them spoke briefly. Although he was conscious that his actions were inappropriate, Robert couldn’t help but look under the mattress for the green box that had made his wife upset.

Inside, there was some jewellery and a photograph. The snapshot depicted a loving family, but what piqued Robert’s interest was the likeness between the man in the photograph and Candice. At that point, Robert’s thoughts wandered to the darkest depths. Could Candice be cheating on him? Why did she have that photo of a family that Robert had never seen or heard of before?

With the photograph in hand, Robert resolved to approach Candice. “Candice, do you have a secret lover?” He asked directly, his voice shaking. “What? “Rob, what are you talking about?” Candace responded defensively. Looking for answers, Robert persevered, showing Candice the photo he was holding in his palm. “Who is this?” Candice’s response was fast and revealing. “Oh no… “I never wanted this to come out,” she admitted, the weight of her secret finally lifting.

Robert’s mind raced as he tried to grasp. “So, are you admitting to cheating on me?” “No! No, I did not cheat. Okay, I’ll tell you the whole story, but please don’t tell anybody,” she implored. After taking a deep breath, she began relaying her story. “Before my grandma died, she gave me this picture,” Candice said, her emotions running high. “My grandmother said I should decide what to do with it on my own.”

“She disclosed that my mother cheated on my father with her lover. She gave birth to twins: myself and my brother. Her partner wanted to be a father, but she adored my father and wanted to stay with him. “As a result of this, my mother and her lover secretly arranged to each take one child and raise them in separate families. My mother informed my father that I was his, and he had no reason to doubt her.”

Candice’s real father went to her grandmother and told her the truth, handing her a photograph of her grandson before passing away. “You see, my parents have been together for more than 35 years. He would be devastated if he found out about my mother’s infidelity.” The pain of holding that secret was palpable. “But at the same time, I have a brother and I want to know him.” Her yearning was apparent, and so was her dread.

“I don’t know what to do, because if I reach out to him, it would eventually hurt my mom and dad.” This revelation caught Robert off guard. “So, is it your twin brother in the picture?” Robert inquired. “Yes,” Candice replied. And, certainly, the likeness between her and the man in the photograph was striking. Robert hugged her and said, “I apologize for doubting your commitment. But why did you frequently cry in your room?

“I’m crying because I never got to know my biological father. Also, I can’t be in my brother’s life without hurting my mother and father,” she admitted, her voice shaking under the weight of her words. Candice remained unsure of her next action. She’s still unsure whether she should contact her brother and welcome him into her life or remain mute for the sake of her parents’ happiness.