**Diary Entry**
I still cant believe how it happened.
“Michael, are you sure youve packed everything? Shouldnt you double-check?” I called out, standing outside the bathroom door, my voice tight.
“Anna, leave me alone! Ive got it allyou saw the suitcase!” he snapped over the sound of the shower. But his voice it wavered. Or did I imagine it?
“I saw the suitcase. What you stuffed inside itno.” I muttered, stepping back.
“Anna, make me a coffee, will you? Strong. No milk,” he added casually as the water shut off.
I walked to the kitchen without another word, filled the kettle, scooped in the ground coffee, a pinch of saltjust how he liked it. We had a coffee machine, but Michael always preferred mine. “Youre so thoughtful,” hed said just the other night, coming home late from work and finding dinner wrapped in a tea towel to keep warmjust like my grandmother used to do.
Lately, hed been staying out latesupposedly for work. Climbing the corporate ladder. Prepping for a promotion. And me? I stayed in the shadows. Cooking, ironing, enduring.
“What a heavenly aroma,” Michael said, striding into the kitchen and pushing his damp hair back. He reached for the mug.
“Anna, the couriers coming todayI ordered a car cover. Can you handle it? Cash on delivery,” he said, stirring in a teaspoon of sugar.
“Of course. Business as usual,” I replied, sitting across from him.
“This trip couldnt have come at a worse time,” he sighed. “But I cant say no. Its an opportunitymaybe the only one. Senior managerno joke.”
“Right I didnt realise the job meant traipsing around the countryside.”
“Bosss whims. Anyway, Ive got half an hour leftIll take some calls.”
He stood, walked out. Left his mug behind. Fine. Hes stressedwhat else could I expect?
I reached for his cupthen his phone buzzed. A message. I opened it.
*”Anna, Michaels lying. Theres no business trip. Hes flying to Italy with Roxanne Morris. Stop him before its too late. Hes ruining his life.”*
Adrienne. His younger sister.
Something cracked in my head. Him with Roxanne? No. A joke? But Adrienne wouldnt lie about this.
The room spun. The air turned to concrete. I gasped, poured myself water, slumped back into the chair.
I wanted to scream. To smash everything. One word rattled in my skull: *Why?*
I clenched my fists. I could storm in, have it out, tear off the mask. But I didnt. He wasnt worth it.
Let him go. And Id prepare a surprisenot with shouting, with action.
I opened the banking app. Our joint account: £24,000. Shockingly, hed already taken £6,000. My money, mind you. Freelance projects, sleepless nights. And him? Funding his first loves holiday on my savings.
I knew about Roxanne. Michael had told me himself, Adrienne had mentioned her too. High-school sweetheart, wild thing. Left him twicefirst for an older man, then for someone “with prospects.” Now she was back. And Michael fell for it. And lied.
He couldve just said: *”Anna, Ive fallen for someone else. Im sorry.”* Wouldve hurt, yes. But not like this. Instead, he acted like a rat. Took the money, lied about the trip, packed his case
Fine. Id take the rest. Today. Every last penny. Thendivorce. His things? Courier to his parents.
I checked the calendartomorrow, an important online pitch. If it went well, Id book a holiday. Not Italy. Spain, maybe. Somewhere hed never been.
“Anna, Im offdecided to leave early,” he announced, walking in, suited up, tie knotted.
“Safe travels. Hope its successful,” I said, gripping the cup.
“Whats that tone?”
“Your imagination.”
“Ill miss you”
“Doubt youll have time for that.”
“Not helping with the suitcase?”
“Id rather wash up.”
“Fine. Im going.”
“Go on, then.”
The door slammed. Michael had no idea he was leaving for good. Tomorrow, Id change the locks.
I sat down. Burst into tears. Bitter, humiliated. Traitor.
Another message from Adrienne: *”Anna, are you okay?”*
I wiped my face, called her.
“Adrienne, how did you know?”
“A friend of Roxannes told me. Shes latched onto Michael again. And he fell for it. Anna, Im so sorry”
“Thanks for telling me. I didnt stop him. Let him go.”
“Hes an idiot. Shell dump him a third time.”
“His choice. Adrienne, dont tell him I know.”
“Wouldnt dream of it. Im done with him!”
“Thank you. Lets stay in touch. Even after the divorce.”
“Of course, Anna. Stay strong.”
I reopened the banking app. Another £2,000 gone. In a rush? No. I steadied myself. Transferred the rest to Mums account, closed the phone, and watched the sunset, knowing tomorrow the sun would risewithout him.
**Lesson:** Trust is fragile. When it shatters, dont waste tears on the pieces. Just walk away.
