Hearing footsteps, Olivia swiftly deleted the message that read how terribly the sender had missed her and was eagerly awaiting their next meeting, then placed the phone back on the bedside table where it had been.
Olivia read the message on her husbands phone again and again, unable to believe it wasnt a dream, but the bitter truth. Her husband, her rock and hope, her beloved Paul, was betraying her once more.
And it wouldnt have been so bad if it were with some young, beautiful woman, as it had been beforethis time, his mistress was a woman nearly fifteen years his senior.
Hearing footsteps, Olivia swiftly erased the message and set the phone down just as Paul entered the room, whistling. Today, all the employees had received a generous bonus, which meant he could buy his wife an anniversary gift *and* take Natalie away for a seaside holiday.
The thought of Natalie made him smile dreamily. Hed had many affairsyoung girls, divorcees, even married womenbut none like Natalie. She was his colleague. Plump, yet so elegant in her dress, so poised in company, so witty in conversation and so extraordinary when they were alone. A pity about the years creeping up on her, but for now, she was still in her prime, and he intended to savour every last drop.
Noticing the displeasure on his wifes face, Paul snapped back to reality.
“Something wrong? You dont seem yourself.”
“Nothing, just thinking about the anniversary. Could you give me some money to organise the celebration?”
“Of course, of course.”
Olivia didnt understand why she replied so calmly. In the past, discovering his infidelity would have sparked a blazing row, threats of divorceyet now, she acted as if nothing had happened, as if she hadnt just read that damning message.
Paul picked up his phone from the table, made a show of calling a colleague to discuss work, then slipped out to the balcony to send a few fervent texts to his new lover. Olivia forced herself to remain composed. She knew tears and shouting wouldnt change a thing.
This wasnt the first time hed betrayed her. Before, hed blamed her post-pregnancy weight, her faded beautybut now? She was flawless: toned figure, long silky hair, subtle makeup, and a pretty home dress that made her look less like a housewife and more like a star from some glossy magazine.
Her friends didnt understand her. She came from a well-off family, had her own professioneven with three children, she wouldnt be destitute. Yet she endured Pauls betrayals, only occasionally mustering the energy for a shouting match, threatening divorce. And every time, his parents would rush to his defence, scolding her for her ingratitude.
“Look at our neighbour, Grace,” her mother-in-law would say. “Her husband passed, she works two jobs, sews through the night for extra money. And Veraher husband drinks, she wears threadbare clothes, the children too.”
“But”
“No ‘buts’! Youve no right to complain. You live like a queenno work, designer clothes. So what if he strays? Gregoryyour father-in-lawwas just the same in his day. Did I make a fuss? No. Men are like catsthey crave warmth and softness. If Id nagged him, hed have left. And where would I be with four children? Now, hes a model husband, the envy of the neighbourhood. So stop sulking and make sure Paul doesnt look elsewhere.”
Olivia smiled bitterly. Shed recently seen her father-in-law leaving Graces house. Clearly, his adventures hadnt endedhed just learned to hide them better than his son.
“Pollys right,” her father-in-law chimed in. “If hes straying, hes missing something at home. If my wife had nagged like you, Id have put her in her place. Dont like it? She can clear off!”
Her mother-in-law would laugh nervously, and Olivia would feel ill. In her family, it had been the oppositeher parents adored each other, never dreamed of infidelity, and raised their children to be honest. No one deserved deceit. Shed learned that long ago. So why was it acceptable when a man strayed? Why was the woman always to blame?
How many tears had she shed? How much money wasted on fortune-tellers promising to fix her marriage?
Her friends urged her to leave while she could. But where would she go with three children? Her parents house? Her brother lived there with his wife. Rent a flat? Could she afford it?
She didnt work, and raising three children alone would be brutal. And if she were honest, she still loved Paul. Theyd been together since primary school, confessed their love at thirteen, inseparable ever since.
Maybe her mother-in-law was right. Maybe Paul would settle. Maybe it was her fault hed turned out this wayhed never strayed before, had always been tender and devoted.
But then she remembered that message, and the urge to scream returned. Before, hed blamed her weightnow what? What did that older woman, with her questionable hair colour, have that she didnt? And with their anniversary approachingten years togetherhe was at it again.
Thinking of the celebration, Olivia picked up her phone and began browsing event planners, jotting down numbers.
The next day, Leon, co-owner of the company shed contacted, arrived. Apologising for his absent colleague, he assured her everything would be perfect.
“We have gift catalogues, celebration packagesor you can suggest something unique. What does your husband enjoy? Fishing, sports, cars?”
“Women. And infidelity.”
“Pardon?”
“My husband adores women. He cant go a day without betraying me.”
The tears came then, so violently that nearby café patrons turned to stare.
“Why do you tolerate it? Youre enabling him. If you dont respect yourself, why should he?”
“You dont understand”
“I understand perfectly. My younger sister *was* Her husband cheated too. At first, she stayed silent. Then she did something irreversible. Ive no sister now, just nephews Im raising. You have children?”
“Yes”
“Live for them. Youll find a home, a joblifes too short.”
“Youre right.”
Olivia dabbed her face with a napkin, then smiled guiltily at Leon.
“Thank you for listening. I know exactly what surprise to give my husband. Take notes.”
The following week, Olivia oversaw every detail. The venuea picturesque countryside manorwas booked. Invitations went out to friends, relatives, even Pauls colleagues.
The celebration promised to be spectacularmenu, attire, gifts, all prepared. Leon would catch her hesitating and offer encouragement. In that week, hed helped her realise two things: not all men were the same, and she deserved better than shed ever dared hope.
Now, standing in a sleek black lace dress, admiring her reflectionhair, makeup, accessories flawlessOlivia felt a quiet resolve. Leon touched her shoulder.
“Time Youre sure?”
“Yes. No turning back.”
“Good. Then Ill call our teamtheyll move your things while the partys in full swing.”
The celebration *was* in full swing. Her in-laws sat at the head table, indifferent to her absence. Paul accepted congratulations, stealing heated glances at Natalie, with whom hed already slipped away to the guest bathroom twice.
Natalie, of course, had been invitedalong with all his colleagues. Part of the plan.
“Time for gifts!” Olivia announced, stepping forward. “Darling, in our ten years together, Ive learned one thingnever argue with a man like you. Accept him as he is. And Im endlessly grateful youve shown me what marriage *should* be, what the perfect wife and mother *should* be. I wont waste words. Justthank you. I think youll love this gift.”
A colossal cake was wheeled inand out burst three women: a blonde, a brunette, and a redhead. Olivia watched Pauls bewildered face with satisfaction, then whispered to Natalie:
“Think youre the only one? Look how his eyes light up for those young beauties. Now look at yourself.”
As Natalie flushed, Olivia turned to her mother-in-law.
“Seems Gregory hasnt settled after all. Still visiting your neighbour Grace, isnt he?”
Before her spluttering in-law could reply, Olivia faced Paul.
“Do you like my gift? Youve always loved womenhow many has it been? Three? Five? Ten? Blondes, brunettes, redheads now Natalie. Your parents were rightI wont make a scene again. Enjoy this lifejust without me. Happy anniversary!”
Her final words rang out, drawing every eye in the room. But Olivia didnt care. She took her childrens hands and walked outwhere Leon waited.
The divorce was tedious. Paul blamed *her*, yet refused to sign the papers
