“I’m filing for divorce,” announced Emily.
At that moment, James was engrossed in watching a football match and didn’t react to his wife’s words at all.
Emily walked over and turned off the TV.
“What are you doing?! Are you out of your mind?!” shouted James, then caught himself, made an effort, and said more calmly, “Sorry. It’s just a really critical moment.”
“I’m sure it’s not as important as what I said.”
“What did you say?” her husband asked, realizing, as always, he hadn’t listened to her.
“I’m filing for divorce.”
James widened his eyes. “A divorce? Why? I thought everything was fine with us.”
“You thought.”
“Wait… Yesterday, we went to the theatre, the day before yesterday I brought you flowers, last week we went to a movie. All things you love…”
“Yes, but it’s only been like this for the first time in seven years of marriage. And I even know why.”
“Why?!” James was starting to get angry.
“Because I put the kids in nursery, found a job, started going to the gym, visiting the beauty salon, changed my look, and made new friends.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“It means everything! You suddenly realized that I am interesting to others, that men notice me, that I don’t rely on you like before.”
“That’s nonsense…”
“No, James, it’s not nonsense. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been scared, wouldn’t have started hovering around, trying to please, showering me with flowers. I’m not even mentioning the cinema and theatre. From you, it’s almost heroic!”
“I was trying… I wanted to make you happy… Hold on, I still don’t understand: you decided to divorce because of this?”
“Yes. I don’t want to live like this anymore. You’re acting like a loving husband now, but where were you when I was pregnant, when I was giving birth, when I had sleepless nights? You never helped! You were just a symbol in our lives, coming home, eating, and sleeping. I could count how many times you’ve held the kids!”
“I was working!” James jumped up in outrage, “to support all of you!”
“You were working, I agree. But you weren’t just providing for us—you provided for yourself too. And you had weekends, but you chose to spend them with your friends.”
“I have a right to!”
“I didn’t have any weekends,” Emily continued, ignoring her husband’s remark, “even though the children… they’re yours too. It was always the last thing on your mind. I can still hear you saying: I gave you money, what else do you want? Well, I wanted… I wanted someone reliable, someone close. For support. And in a way, that wasn’t just financial but emotional. A little compassion at the end of the day.”
But you didn’t have time for that. You lived your life, one that didn’t include me or our children…”
“Don’t overdo it.”
“I’m not exaggerating. Do you even know which nursery they attend? It takes us forty minutes to get there. In the morning! On public transport! Meanwhile, you drive to work alone like some kind of lord. Leave in twenty minutes. But you never offered to drop the kids off.”
“You never asked,” James grumbled.
“And why should I ask? There are certain things that a loving husband and father should just do. It’s supposed to be obvious. But not in your case, because it’s never been about love.”
“You’re making me out to be some kind of monster…”
“No, James, you’re not a monster. You’re just a stranger to me now. You’ve become a stranger… Or maybe you always were.”
“That’s your view, but what about the kids? What are you going to say to them? How will you explain?”
“Oh, hold me back!” laughed Emily, “They only started recognizing you on the street recently! So there won’t be a problem there.”
James couldn’t find anything to say. Emily was partly right, but he felt justified too: he was the man, she was the woman, she should know her place, look after the home, and take care of the children. James’s father always said so. And his mother agreed. But Emily, for some reason, was not satisfied…
“And how do you plan to live on one salary with two kids?” James attacked, “As for me, I’m not giving a single penny!”
“You will,” Emily calmly replied, “child support is inevitable. And we’ll settle the assets we’ve accumulated over seven years in court. Though there isn’t much to divide, but still. A fridge is more necessary for us with the kids. Knowing you, I’m sure you’ll cling to it just to spite me. So everything goes to court. Thank goodness we don’t have a house. By the way, you can stay in this flat. I’ve already found a suitable one close to the nursery for us,” (while saying this last part, she paused slightly, hoping James would disagree, suggest renting another place himself, or say she and the children could stay where they were used to living… But James didn’t say anything like that), “…I’ve already found a suitable one close to the nursery.”
“Fine, go!” James couldn’t bear to listen to Emily any longer, “Who do you think you are? Got everything planned, have you? Forgotten anything? What about the car? I’m not giving it to you!”
“I’m not asking for it,” Emily smiled, “I don’t need it.”
“Why so generous all of a sudden?!” James couldn’t stop himself, “You don’t need the car! I bet you’re riding in someone else’s, aren’t you? Confess: how long have I been wearing horns? You’ve gotten pretty bold!”
“Predictable,” Emily was completely calm, “I knew I’d hear something like that.”
“Don’t you get it already,” James leapt towards his wife, grabbing her shoulders, shaking her, “who’d want you with two kids?! Come on… let’s forget everything you said here? Let’s live together like we used to. I promise to change, honestly!”
“Like before? No way,” replied Emily firmly, “it’s not possible.”
“But why?!” James wasn’t just shouting, he was yelling.
“Because I don’t love you anymore…”
James was at a loss, panicked internally, and suddenly, feeling that further discussion was pointless, agreed, “If that’s how it is, then go ahead and file for divorce.”
They were divorced six months later, just as Emily had planned.
Now, she and the kids live close to the nursery, and weekday mornings are much calmer.
And on weekends—she’s completely free! All because her ex-husband takes the kids! He takes them around town, sits with them at his place, plays all sorts of games with them. He even cooks for them himself!
Who can figure out these men?
When married, neither wife nor children are needed. They’re taken for granted.
But once divorced, they find time for the kids, becoming almost the best fathers in the world.
