In his second year at university, Edward fell for a charming blonde named Eleanor, who studied in a parallel group. The soft blush on her cheeks and the warm gaze of her large grey eyes unsettled him. But at a student gathering, they finally grew closer when he asked her to dance.
“You dance wonderfully,” he complimented Eleanor, and she laughed brightly.
“Is it so difficult? Just move quicker, that’s all,” she replied, smiling as she swayed effortlessly.
From that evening on, they were inseparable. Their whirlwind romance led to marriage. Both still students, they shared a cramped dormitory room, making do with what little they had. Before long, a small cot appeared in the corner—Eleanor was expecting.
“Ed, how will we manage our studies once our son arrives? One tiny room… Perhaps I should take a gap year. It’s a shame, though—you’d graduate before me.”
“Ellie, no sense worrying yet. When the baby comes, we’ll figure it out. We’re hardly the first students in this situation. Look at James from my class—he’s raising twins and still keeping up with his degree,” Edward reassured her.
In time, Eleanor gave birth to a beautiful boy, Thomas. The young couple adored him. Though the early days were hard, they were fortunate—Thomas was a quiet child, rarely fussing, allowing them precious rest. They took turns attending lectures and preparing for exams. Eleanor never did take that gap year, though when Thomas fell ill, her mother would travel from the nearby village to help, tending to him with medicine and care.
“Ellie, why not let Thomas stay with us in the village?” her mother suggested, but they always refused.
“No, Mum. We’ll manage. If we’re desperate, we’ll call you.”
Somehow, they both graduated. The struggles of early parenthood should have strengthened their bond, but fate had other plans. Eleanor inherited a flat from her grandmother, and once they’d both found work, they moved in. Thomas started nursery.
When the cracks in their marriage appeared, Edward couldn’t fathom why. Eleanor grew distant, her warmth replaced with coldness. Misunderstandings piled up. Edward wondered:
“Did we truly love each other when we married so young, or was it just infatuation? Are we staying together now only for Thomas’s sake? I want to keep our family whole, if only for him. But all that binds us now is love for our son—and duty.”
What Eleanor felt, he didn’t know. But she had fallen for another man—Oliver—so deeply that she was ready to leave. Yet she couldn’t take Thomas without a fight; the flat was hers, and Oliver had no home of his own. One evening, she finally spoke.
“Ed, we must divorce. There’s someone else. I love him. You’ll always be Thomas’s father, but this can’t go on.”
“I’m not ready for such a change,” Edward replied, stunned. “What about Thomas? Have you thought of him?”
“I think of him constantly. This is for the best.”
“How is it best for our son to be raised by another man instead of me?” Edward snapped.
“He’s growing up. Soon he’ll understand. How much longer can we pretend to be a happy family?” Eleanor said calmly.
“But we *are* a family. We both love him.”
“We love him, yes. But not each other. And that isn’t right.”
Edward knew she was right in his head—but not in his heart. The thought of losing Thomas was unbearable. Yet he also knew Eleanor was a good mother. He refused the divorce.
“I won’t let another man take my place in Thomas’s life.”
“Ed, you’ll always be his father. Divorcing me doesn’t change that. Children aren’t part of a divorce,” she argued.
Edward bristled. “No, they aren’t. But I won’t read him bedtime stories. I won’t help with his puzzles or schoolwork. What sort of father is that—one at a distance? If you want this new life, know this: I won’t give up my son.” He stormed out into the night, pacing the streets to clear his head.
He wandered for hours, wrestling with his thoughts. *What can I do? Threatening won’t change anything. Any court would side with her—she’s a good mother, with a stable home and job. Do I even have the right to take a six-year-old from his mother?*
By dawn, he’d resolved to refuse the divorce. He’d convince Eleanor to stay for Thomas’s sake. He’d even tolerate her affair if it meant keeping the illusion of family intact until Thomas was older. He returned to discuss it.
“Ed, be realistic. How would that work? Me living with you while loving Oliver, pretending we’re happy?” Eleanor sighed.
“But you can’t take Thomas from me. He needs us both.”
“Living apart doesn’t mean either of us will love him less,” she said firmly.
Eleanor’s mind was made up. She knew the law favoured her. Edward, stubborn, sought a solicitor’s advice.
“You can refuse the divorce, but think—what sort of life would that be? Your son would grow up in a house of resentment. What example does that set?” the solicitor reasoned.
“I know. Thomas would suffer most,” Edward admitted. “But I can’t back down.”
He tried one last plea to Eleanor, but the conversation spiralled.
“I’ll agree to divorce on one condition: Thomas stays with me,” Edward declared.
Eleanor exploded. “So you’ll blackmail me with our son? You don’t care about him—you just want to ruin my life!”
They shouted until exhaustion silenced them. After that, they spoke only through Thomas.
“Ask Mum where my jumper is.”
“Tell Dad to fetch you after school. I’ll be late.”
The tension grew unbearable. Thomas, confused, was told only that his parents had quarrelled.
“How do I explain to a seven-year-old that we’ve fallen out of love but stay for him?” Edward thought bitterly. “This isn’t living. Our fight over him is hurting him more than any separation.”
One evening, he visited his mother.
“Ed, you look terrible,” she murmured.
“I need advice. I can’t bear the thought of losing Thomas.”
“Son, you’re thinking of yourself, not him. This strife will break him. If you love him, you must let go. There’s no choice.”
The words struck him. She was right. That night, he returned home resolved.
“Eleanor, I’ll agree to the divorce. But I’ll see Thomas whenever I wish—no阻拦.”
“I won’t stop you,” she said quietly.
They parted ways. Edward rented a flat and explained to Thomas:
“Your mum and I will live apart now. But I’ll always love you. You’ll visit, we’ll go to Gran’s, the park, the cinema. Never doubt that.”
Thomas nodded solemnly. “I understand, Dad. But I won’t leave Mum alone. I’ll still see you.”
“That’s my boy. A true gentleman.”
And so, Edward lives alone now, while Eleanor shares her life with Oliver and their son.
