I WAS A PROSTITUTE & MY DAD WHO HAD DIVORCED MY MOM HIRED ME FOR THE NIGHT

Written by ©GAMBO ELVIS

The next morning, Mr. Bradley took it upon himself to visit Liam. He felt it was necessary to reason with him, perhaps even explain that sometimes, it’s better to face the reality you know than to chase an ideal you’ve never experienced. Memories of his own marriage flooded his mind—how he had once believed he was marrying an angel, only to realize the truth much later. Maybe by sharing his story and that of Mbinlah, Liam’s heart could find some understanding, perhaps even forgiveness.

Driving carefully, conscious that he hadn’t fully recovered from his previous accident, Mr. Bradley made his way to Liam’s house. His thoughts were heavy, yet he reminded himself that losing focus could be dangerous. Arriving at the gate, he was let in, and he walked straight to the door, knocked, and waited. Liam opened it, surprise and a hint of caution on his face, but he allowed Mr. Bradley inside.

“Welcome, sir,” Liam said formally, yet there was a softness in his voice.

“How are you, my son?” Mr. Bradley asked, trying to sound calm and approachable.

“I am managing… but I’m not really fine,” Liam admitted.

“Is this because of my daughter? Why would someone so accomplished feel unsettled?”

“It’s about your daughter, sir,” Liam said quietly, his eyes dropping to the floor.

Mr. Bradley took a deep breath. “I’m here as a father, but I will tell you a story—just a short one, to help you understand.”

“I do not hate your daughter. I still love her,” Liam began. “I cannot get her off my mind, though my heart is hurt. I’m trying, but it’s difficult.”

“I understand. But don’t repeat the mistakes I made,” Mr. Bradley said, his voice gentle but firm. “When i met her stepmom, she seemed like an angel. I was naïve, trusting, and blind to the manipulations around me. There was a time when my then-wife sent a picture and a video of me with another woman—an elaborate plot to ruin me. I was drunk, yes, and that woman was hired by my wife, who was not my wife then; but it was all part of a scheme I couldn’t have anticipated.”

He paused, collecting himself. “After the divorce, I was heartbroken and devastated. But the very woman who had been part of that past welcomed me, comforted me, and treated me with respect. Eventually, she convinced us to move to Canada—Margaret had dreamed of it, and I agreed, not realizing until later what her true intentions were.”

Mr. Bradley sighed, continuing: “Life there wasn’t easy. After our first child, her true character became apparent. She did what she wanted, knowing I couldn’t divorce her without losing everything. Our house often felt like a boxing ring, though no punches were thrown. Arguments were constant, and with the birth of our second child, things worsened. It felt like I hardly knew the woman I had married.”

“Then I returned to Cameroon,” he said quietly, “and discovered that the girl who had tried to blackmail me was the same woman my wife had hired years ago. Meeting my daughter was a turning point. I realized my daughter was never a lie—I had been deceived for too long. And now, seeing your situation, I understand how complicated matters can be.”

He looked at Liam seriously. “Your love for her will make it hard to accept her past. But if you truly care for her, you must focus on who she is now, not what happened before. Life brings people together in ways we cannot predict. After more than twenty years, I still found myself back with her. I still love her. The choice is yours. But if I were in your place, I would choose happiness over judgment.”

With that, he stood. “Thank you for listening. I will take my leave now.”

“Please, let me at least offer you something to drink,” Liam insisted, though the concern in his eyes betrayed him.

“I appreciate it,” Mr. Bradley said with a faint smile. “But I am still recovering from an accident and taking medication. My daughter’s happiness matters more than anything right now.”

When Mr. Bradley returned home, he recounted the visit and Liam’s reactions to me. I listened, absorbing every detail, feeling the weight of the past and the hope that perhaps Liam might choose understanding over doubt. That day, his story stayed with me, and I realized that sometimes love requires seeing beyond what the world—or even our own hearts—might initially judge.