MY NEPHEW DID THIS TO ME IN THE KITCHEN...” - INFIDELITY STORY

I never thought I'd share this secret with anyone and how a simple family gathering would transform my life my name is Emily I'm 42 years old and until recently I thought I had a perfectly normal life I've been married to Richard for 15 years we don't have children and we both have successful careers our relationship has always been stable maybe a bit monotonous lately but nothing that worried me much or so I thought until that fateful night it was a Saturday like any other my sister Anna was organizing a family dinner at her house to

celebrate the birthday of her eldest son my nephew Chris who had just turned 23 Chris had always been a Charming intelligent boy very mature for his age since he was little we had a special relationship I was his favorite aunt and he was my spoiled nephew I never had children of my own so in a way Chris filled that void in my life the dinner went smoothly the the food was delicious the wine flowed and there was no shortage of laughter Richard my husband as always overdid it a bit with the drinking not that he

was an alcoholic but at family gatherings he tended to get a little out of control at the end of the night when everyone started saying goodbye I noticed that Richard could barely stand Emily I think I need help getting to the car he whispered in my ear his voice slurred and his eyes glazed over I sighed resignedly it wasn't the first time I had to deal with this situation I apologized to my sister and started helping Richard get up at that moment Chris approached us Aunt Emily do you need help he asked with genuine concern

thank you dear the truth is yes your uncle is a little indisposed I replied Greatful for the offer between the two of us we managed to get Richard out of the house and into the back seat of the car Chris offered to drive to our house which was about 20 minutes away I accepted without hesitation as I had also had a bit to drink and didn't feel entirely confident behind the wheel during the trip Chris and I chatted animatedly about his studies and his plans for the future I had always been proud of him and

how he was getting his life on track in the back seat Richard snored softly we arrived home and again we had to make a joint effort to get Richard out of the car and into the bedroom we carefully placed him on the bed and I took off his shoes Chris was waiting at the bedroom door as if not wanting to invade our privacy thank you for your help Chris I don't know what I would have done without you I said as we left the room and I closed the door behind me you're welcome Aunt Emily

you know you can always count on me he replied with a smile that seemed strangely intense we went to the kitchen I needed a glass of water and imagined Chris would like to refresh himself self before returning to his parents house as we drank in silence I noticed that Chris seemed nervous as if he wanted to say something but didn't dare are you okay dear you seem a bit tense I asked genuinely concerned Chris took a long sip of water before answering Aunt Emily the truth is there's something I'd like to talk to you about

do you have a moment his serious tone alarmed me a little of course I do Chris you know you can talk to me about anything what's going on he ran his hand through his hair a gesture he'd made since childhood when he was nervous it's complicated you see there's a woman my heart was touched my little Chris was in love oh dear that's wonderful why are you so nervous doesn't she love you back Chris let out a bitter laugh I wish it were that simple Aunt the problem is she's older than me a bit older

and she's married I felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over me I couldn't believe what I was hearing my sweet and innocent Chris in love with a married woman Chris I I don't know what to say this is a very delicate situation are you sure about your feelings he nodded firmly I've never been so sure of anything in my life Aunt I love her I love her like I've never loved anyone but Chris she's married this isn't right you could destroy a marriage a family I know Aunt believe me I

know I've been fighting against these feelings for months but I can't take it anymore I need to tell her I need her to know I felt a Pang of compassion for my nephew I remembered how intense feelings could be at his age how everything seemed absolute Chris I understand that your feelings are strong but you need to think about the consequences what will happen if you tell her have you thought about how this will affect the whole family Chris was silent for a moment as if Gathering courage for something then he raised his head and

fixed his Gaze on mine with an intensity that made me shudder Aunt Emily the woman I'm in love with it's you the world stopped at that instant I felt as if the ground beneath my feet was disappearing and I was falling into a bottomless Abyss this couldn't be true I must have heard wrong Chris what what are you saying I managed to stammer instinctively backing up until my back hit the kitchen counter he took a step towards me his eyes full of an emotion I didn't want to recognize I love you Aunt Emily I've loved

you for as long as I can remember at first I thought it was just admiration the normal affection of a nephew for his favorite aunt But as time pass I realized it was much more than that you're the most beautiful intelligent and wonder wonderful woman I've ever known my thoughts were in a whirlwind I couldn't process what I was hearing it had to be a nightmare a bad joke but the intensity in Chris's eyes told me he was serious Chris no you don't know what you're saying this is wrong on so many levels I'm your

aunt for God's sake I'm married to your uncle we're 30 years apart this can't happen I tried to make my voice sound firm but I could hear the Tremor in it Chris took another step towards me further reducing the distance between us I know it seems crazy Aunt believe me I tried to fight against it I've dated other girls I've tried to forget you but it's no use my feelings for you are stronger than anything else his hand Rose as if wanting to touch my face but stopped Midway I was paralyzed unable to move or

for a coherent thought Chris please you have to understand that this can't happen we're a family I'm your mother's age I'm married to your uncle what you feel it's not love it's confusion a fantasy but even as I said these words a part of me began to doubt how had I not noticed before the way Chris looked at me how had I not noticed that his hugs lasted a little longer than normal that he always sought to be near me at family gatherings it's not a fantasy Aunt Emily it's real as real as the fact

that I'm here in front of of you opening my heart to you I know you're afraid that you think it's wrong but love can never be wrong and what I feel for you is the purest and truest love I've ever felt his words hit me like a wave Awakening feelings I thought I had forgotten suddenly I was painfully aware of how attractive Chris had become he was no longer the boy who used to sit on my knee he was a young strong man with a look that could melt ice this can't be happening I muttered

more to myself than to him Chris you need to leave now let's forget this conversation ever happened but he didn't move instead he took another step towards me almost completely eliminating the space between us I could feel the heat of his body smell his cologne mixed with the smell of wine from dinner Chris please I begged though I was no longer sure what I was begging for and then it happened Chris closed the distance between us and kissed me his lips were soft warm and insistent for a moment I was paralyzed unable to react then

to my horror and embarrassment I found myself responding to the kiss it was as if a dam had burst inside me all the feelings I had been repressing all the passion I had forgotten existed overflowed in that kiss my hands Tangled in his hair pulling him closer his body pressed against mine line cornering me against the counter I don't know how long that kiss lasted it could have been seconds or an eternity when we finally separated we were both breathless the reality of what had just happened hit me like a train oh my god what

have we done I whispered horrified Chris on the other hand seemed euphoric his eyes Shone with a mixture of Love and Desire that scared and excited me in equal parts what we should have done a long time time ago Aunt Emily being honest with our feelings I shook my head trying to clear my thoughts this is wrong Chris very wrong I I don't know what came over me but it can't happen again never again I tried to push him away but he didn't move instead he held my face in his hands forcing me to look

him in the eyes Aunt Emily I know you're scared I know you think this is wrong but what just happened are you going to tell me you didn't feel it that you didn't feel that connection that spark I couldn't deny it that kiss had awakened something in me that I thought had been dead for a long time but that didn't change the fact that this was a colossal mistake Chris please understand I'm your aunt I'm married this can't happen what if it could what if we could find a way he insisted his eyes full of

Hope and determination I closed my eyes trying to find the strength to do the right thing when I opened them again my voice was firmer there is no way Chris this was a mistake a terrible mistake that should never have happened and will never happen again you have to leave now I saw the pain in his eyes but I also saw that he understood I wasn't going to change my mind at least not tonight slowly he took a step back freeing me from the prison of his body I'll go Aunt Emily but this isn't over

what I feel for you is real and I know you felt something too I won't give up on you so easily with those words he turned and left the kitchen I heard the front door open and close and then the sound of his car driving away I fell to the floor trembling what had just happened how had I allowed things to go so far and worst of all why did part of me wish Chris hadn't left I spent the rest of the night awake tossing and turning on the couch unable to return to the bed

where Richard slept oblivious to everything my mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions guilt shame fear but also to my dismay a spark of excitement and desire that I couldn't ignore the next morning when Richard woke up with a heavy hangover I told him an edited version of the previous night's events I told him that Chris had behaved inappropriately insinuating himself but I admitted the kiss and my own actions Richard was Furious of course and wanted to call my sister to tell her everything I convinced him not to arguing that it would only cause problems

in the family and that Chris was probably confused and regretful the following days were torture every time the phone rang my heart raced fearing it was Chris every time I went out on the street I looked nervously around expecting to see him on every corner but he didn't call didn't show up I don't know if I was relieved or disappointed by this Richard for his part was more attentive than usual I think my story about Chris's Behavior had alarmed him he brought me flowers for no reason invited me out to dinner and even suggested we

take a vacation together under other circumstances I would have been very happy with this renewed attention but now it only served to increase my guilt a week after the incident I received a text message from an unknown number we need to talk please see my heart raced as I read the message I knew I should ignore it delete it and move on with my life but I couldn't instead I found myself replying okay tomorrow 300 p.m. at the Park Cafe the next day was an Agony of nerves and anticipation I dressed more carefully than usual

applying light makeup and choosing a dress I knew suited me I felt guilty about this but I couldn't help it I arrived at the the cafe 10 minutes before the scheduled time Chris was already there sitting at an isolated table when he saw me he stood up and his eyes traveled over my figure in a way that made me blush Aunt Emily he said softly as I approached thank you for coming I sat down across from him aware of the tension vibrating between us Chris this can't happen again what happened that night was real he

interrupted me it was the realest thing I've ever felt in my life I sighed closing my eyes for a moment Chris you're young you have your whole life ahead of you everything you think you feel for me it will pass you'll find someone your own age someone you can have a future with he shook his head his eyes burning with determination I don't want anyone else Aunt Emily I want you and I know you felt something that night too you can't deny it I couldn't deny it it was true but that didn't change anything Chris

I'm your aunt I'm married to your uncle I'm your mother's age this is wrong on so many levels love is never wrong he insisted leaning forward I know there are obstacles but we can overcome them together his words pierced me like an arrow part of me wanted to believe him wanted to throw myself into his arms and forget everything else but the rational part of my brain knew this was impossible Chris please you need to understand this can't happen no matter how we feel no matter what we want the cost would be too high we

would destroy our family your mother your father have you thought about how this would affect them I saw the pain in his eyes but I also saw that my words were getting through to him but Aunt Emily what about our happiness don't we deserve to be happy happiness built on the pain of others never lasts Chris I replied Softly besides have you really thought about what it would be like we would have to hide constantly lie we would live in fear and guilt that's not love Chris that's a fantasy he was silent for a long

moment processing my words finally he spoke with a choked voice then what should I do how can I just forget what I feel for you my heart broke a little seeing his pain I reached across the table and took his hand it won't be easy I know but you're young Chris you have your whole life ahead of you in time these feelings will dissipate you'll meet someone else someone you can have a real future with he squeezed my hand his eyes shining with unshed tears I can't imagine loving anyone the way I love you you

will love I assured him and when that happens you'll understand why this couldn't happen we stayed like that for a moment holding hands in silence finally Chris nodded slowly I understand Emily I don't agree but I understand I promise I promise I'll try to move on I felt a mixture of relief and a strange sense of loss thank you Chris I know it's not easy but it's the right thing to do we parted with an awkward hug both aware of the tension that still existed between us as I watched him walk away I felt a

Pang of regret was I doing the right thing or was I letting something special slip away out of fear and social convention the following day days were an emotional roller coaster on one hand I was relieved to have done the right thing to have put an end to something that could have destroyed our family on the other hand I couldn't stop thinking about Chris the intensity of his feelings the possibility of what could have been Richard noticed my change in mood and attributed it to the incident with Chris that I had told him about he

was more loving and attentive than ever which only served to increase my guilt how could I think about betraying this man who loved me so much weeks passed and little by little life returned to normal or at least a new version of normal family gatherings became awkward and Chris and I carefully avoided being alone or even making prolonged eye contact I could feel the confused looks from my sister and brother-in-law but no one dared to ask what was happening one night almost 2 months after our meeting at the cafe I received another message from Chris

I'm sorry Aunt Emily you were right I met someone thank you for everything I read the message several times feeling a mix of emotions I couldn't decipher relief yes that Chris was moving on but also a twinge of jealousy and regret that I was ashamed to admit that night as I lay awake next to Richard I reflected on everything that had happened had I done the right thing or had I let the opportunity for true love slip away because of fear and social conventions I didn't have clear answers all I knew was that for everyone's

sake I had to move on I had to bury those confused feelings and that forbidden attraction deep within me months passed and life went on Chris started bringing his new girlfriend to family gatherings she was a lovely girl about his age and I could see how happy she made him I was happy for him genuinely although a small part of me couldn't help but wonder what if Richard and I worked on our relationship ship the shock of the incident with Chris made us realize we had fallen into routine and complacency we started doing more things

together communicating better rediscovering why we had fallen in love in the first place and I well I learned a lot about myself through this whole process I learned that even after years of marriage I could still feel passion and desire I learned that love can take unexpected forms and that sometimes the greatest act of of Love is Letting Go I kept the secret of what had really happened that night in the kitchen it was a burden I decided to carry alone to protect everyone involved but I can't deny that despite the guilt and shame a

part of me cherish the memory of that moment of forbidden passion life is full of Roads not taken of unexplored possibilities I'll always wonder what if but in the end I'm at peace with my choices I chose stability over passion family over desire and although sometimes in the dead of night my mind wanders to what could have been I know in my heart that I made the right choice this experience taught me that love can be complicated confusing and sometimes painful but it also showed me the strength of commitment the importance of family and the

power of doing the right thing even when it's difficult now years later I can look back on that night in the kitchen with a mix of nostalgia and relief it was a moment of Madness a flash of passion that illuminated my life in unexpected ways but like all intense Flames it was destined to burn out quickly Chris is now a happily married man with a beautiful family I'm still with Richard our relationship stronger than ever after going through that test without him knowing and although sometimes when our eyes meet at family gatherings I might see

a glimpse of what once was we both know it's part of the past life is full of turning points of paths that fork that night in the kitchen was one of those moments for me I chose the harder path the path of Duty and responsibility instead of the path of passion and desire and although sometimes I wonder how the other path might have been I know in my heart that I made the right choice because in the end love isn't just about passion and desire it's about commitment sacrifice doing the right thing even when it

hurts and sometimes the greatest act of Love is Letting Go I keep this secret this moment of Madness and passion as a hidden treasure deep in my heart a reminder that life can surprise us that we're never too old to feel desire and love and although I've kept the secret the emotion I felt that day was worth it it reminded me that I was alive that I could still feel that I could still burn and that in itself is a precious gift so if you ever find yourself at a similar Crossroads remember love can take

many forms some unexpected some forbidden but in the end what really matters is being true to yourself and your values because these are the foundations on which we build our lives our relationships and our future and who knows maybe in another life In Another Universe Chris and I are together living out that forbidden passion but in this life in this world we chose the path of Duty and responsibility and even if it's sometimes difficult even if it sometimes hurts I know it was the right decision and although I'll never forget that night in the kitchen

that moment of forbidden passion I know I made the right decision because in the end true love isn't just about what we feel but what we do with those feelings and I chose love in its most mature and responsible form I chose family commitment and integrity and although sometimes I wonder what if I know in my heart that I wouldn't change my decision