The secret of MY SON'S FATHER
WOMAN'S OWN|January 26, 2021
Against her better judgement, Sarah * became the ‘other woman’ and the single parent of a son who has never met his father
The secret of MY SON'S FATHER

I would never have an affair with a married man, I used to say. Until I did. Far from the classic scenario, where the other woman knows nothing about his marriage, I did. You see, he was my best friend. I was at the wedding to his college sweetheart.

If you’re reading this as a wife, I am aware you must think I’m heartless. I don’t expect sympathy – if I were someone’s wife I’d be thinking that as well – but it’s too simplistic to paint him as merely a philandering git, me as the cold-hearted mistress, his wife as the helpless victim. And love has a way of changing your moral compass.

We had worked together for several years, sitting opposite one another at a design studio. We flirted, went to football matches together, danced at office parties.

Complete trust

‘I’ve often wondered what life would be like if I was married to you instead,’ he told me. I was adamant nothing was going to happen – he had two children. But, as we grew closer, he confided in me that his marriage was in trouble.

It all sounds incredibly naive now, but I became his shoulder to cry on. I lowered the barriers and let myself fall in love. We spent every moment we could together, and I trusted him completely. We created opportunities to work together, walked miles at lunchtime to grab a sandwich in each other’s company, and, when this wasn’t possible, met for 10 minutes after work. Little gestures meant so much to me.

This story is from the January 26, 2021 edition of WOMAN'S OWN.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 26, 2021 edition of WOMAN'S OWN.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM WOMAN'S OWNView All
Loose Women IN CRISIS
WOMAN'S OWN

Loose Women IN CRISIS

With unhappy viewers and panel fall-outs, are the key characters about to be axed?

time-read
3 mins  |
November 18, 2024
MAGNIFICENT MAURITIUS
WOMAN'S OWN

MAGNIFICENT MAURITIUS

Pe This istand in the ut 7% Indian Ocean feels Sa: like paradise, says Charlotte Richards

time-read
2 mins  |
October 28, 2024
I HATE BEING A MUM
WOMAN'S OWN

I HATE BEING A MUM

One woman, 55, reveals why she resents all of the sacrifices she made to be a mother

time-read
5 mins  |
October 28, 2024
SLASH SUGAR AND SLIM
WOMAN'S OWN

SLASH SUGAR AND SLIM

Trying to lose weight? With these clever tweaks, you don’t have to miss out on the seasonal sweet stuff

time-read
2 mins  |
October 28, 2024
DAWN HARPER ASK THE DOCTOR
WOMAN'S OWN

DAWN HARPER ASK THE DOCTOR

Doctor Dawn Harper answers all your questions

time-read
2 mins  |
October 28, 2024
SEX HORRORS SOLVED!
WOMAN'S OWN

SEX HORRORS SOLVED!

Stop physical intimacy from turning into the stuff of nightmares with our expert advice

time-read
2 mins  |
October 28, 2024
THE TRUTH ABOUT LIFE WITH CANCER
WOMAN'S OWN

THE TRUTH ABOUT LIFE WITH CANCER

More than 12,000 people are diagnosed with brain tumours each year in the UK. Two mums tell us how the cruel disease changed their lives forever

time-read
3 mins  |
October 28, 2024
DAWN NEESOM MIND OF MY OWN
WOMAN'S OWN

DAWN NEESOM MIND OF MY OWN

The Woman's Own columnist has her say on marriage, tea and Absolutely Fabulous!

time-read
2 mins  |
October 28, 2024
TRAPPED INSIDE MY HOME WITH A MONSTER
WOMAN'S OWN

TRAPPED INSIDE MY HOME WITH A MONSTER

Gemma Williams, 46, thought she'd die at the hands of her partner

time-read
4 mins  |
October 28, 2024
AMANDA TO REPLACE CAT?
WOMAN'S OWN

AMANDA TO REPLACE CAT?

With increasing criticism directed at the This Morning host, are producers ready to call in a familiar face?

time-read
3 mins  |
October 28, 2024