Marina now believes with absolute certainty that women who divorced their husbands young and lived without a man were far happier in the long run. At least, that’s how it seemed from her own bitter experience.
“Some might disagree,” she said to her friend Dorothy, “but I stand by what I say.”
Dorothy hesitated. “Perhaps, but everyone’s fate is different. One woman’s misery in her first marriage might turn to joy in her second—or even her third.”
Marina scoffed. “I won’t argue, but I’ll hold my ground. In my case, the shock alone nearly broke me. And now, with old age creeping up, he’s trampled every scrap of trust I had left.”
New Year’s Eve had been quiet that year. Marina, her husband Edward, his mother—who lived just down the hall—and their fourteen-year-old son, Thomas, had celebrated at home. The table was set, the meal prepared with her mother-in-law’s help. They’d rung in the new year together, though the older woman had retired early. By morning, the streets outside still crackled with fireworks, the echoes of revelry lingering.
Then, without warning, Edward vanished.
After lunch on New Year’s Day, he climbed into his car and drove off without a word. By nightfall, Marina couldn’t sleep, her mind spinning with dark possibilities.
“What if he’s had an accident?” she muttered, clutching her pounding temples.
No call came. His phone was dead. Dawn broke, and with it, a text: “Don’t look for me. I’ve left you.”
Her hands trembled. Her heart hammered. She nearly stormed to her mother-in-law’s flat—then paused.
“Or is she in on this?”
Steeling herself, she marched next door and thrust her phone forward.
“Look what your son’s done.”
The old woman paled. “Marina, this can’t be! He never said a word! Surely you noticed something?”
“I thought—God forgive me—you might’ve known.”
“Never! If I had, I’d have given him a piece of my mind. But it’s too late now.” Her voice wavered. “Still, mark my words—I’ll always stand by you, not that wretched—” She spat a curse.
Relief, then rage washed over Marina. At least he was alive.
By morning, she dialled his number—again. A woman answered.
“Who is this?” Marina demanded.
“His wife,” the voice replied. “And you?”
A lie sprang to Marina’s lips. “His friend’s wife. I need to speak to him about my husband. Where are you?”
The address came. She fed Thomas, spun some flimsy excuse about his father’s absence, and boarded a bus to the outskirts of London. A terraced house. An unlocked door.
Inside, Edward and the woman sat at supper.
He leapt up, stunned.
“Who’s this?” the woman snapped.
Marina smiled coldly. “His lawful wife. And you?”
The woman’s face darkened.
“You weren’t invited!” Edward roared. “Get out!”
The stranger turned on him. “You told me she died two years ago!”
He wilted. “I—I didn’t want to lose you, Veronica. I meant to tell you.”
Marina let out a sharp laugh. “How generous. He’s buried me and his mother in one stroke. But here we stand, very much alive.” She turned to Veronica. “How long has this been going on?”
“A year,” the woman whispered.
“A year,” Marina echoed. “And I suppose his ‘sick mother’ kept him tied to our flat?”
Veronica nodded.
Marina’s laughter turned brittle. “Marvellous. He’s dug graves for us all.” She straightened. “No matter. Enjoy your victory. The divorce papers will come soon enough.”
She left, head high.
At home, Dorothy hovered anxiously.
“Edward’s a coward and a liar,” Marina said flatly. “Told his mistress I was dead. Buried his own mother for good measure.”
Dorothy gaped.
Later, Edward offered the flat in the settlement—as if bricks and mortar could mend what he’d shattered.
“A fine son you raised,” Marina told his mother. “Buries us both, then acts the benefactor.”
The old woman wept.
Marina remembered nursing Edward after his surgery, spoon-feeding him in that grim hospital ward.
Within months, he’d spun lies to another woman.
Thomas took the news quietly. “We’ll manage, Mum,” he said, hugging her.
She kissed his cheek. “When did you grow so wise?”
Life moved on. The mother-in-law remained a steadfast ally, though her son never called.
Perhaps he truly thought them dead.
But Marina? She was very much alive.
