Emily and James were having dinner when the door suddenly swung open, and his motherMargaretburst into the flat.
“James! You need to hear the truth about your wife!” she shouted from the threshold.
“Mum, sit down, calm yourself. Youre all flushedyour blood pressures up,” James said, concerned.
“I should think so!” Margaret huffed, turning sharply to her daughter-in-law. “I ran into Olivia, your colleague, today, and she told me everything!”
“What exactly?” Emily asked calmly, meeting her gaze.
“That you got promoted a year ago, and now your salary is double Jamess! And he had no idea! You kept it from him!” Margaret was nearly breathless with indignation.
“Whats the issue? We dont ask you for money; we manage fine. What do you want?”
“In spring, when I asked for help with the cottage repairs, you claimed you had no spare cash. Now it turns out you do! Wheres it going? Saving up to leave him, are you?” Margaret snapped.
Emily stood and looked at her husband.
“James, fetch the green folder from the bedside drawer, please.”
He obliged silently.
“Whats this?” he asked, opening it. “Savings accounts?”
“Yes. For William and Sophie. Ive been setting aside part of my salary every monthfor their future. When I realised your family saw me as an outsider, I had to think of the children.”
“Outsider?” James cut in.
“Did you forget how the flatbought with the money from selling the two-bed in central Londonwas put only in your name? Just in case. You never said a word. I was pregnant, and you stayed silent. Did you think I wouldnt notice?”
James sighed heavily. His mother tried to interject.
“It was a safety net!”
“Against what? The mother of your children?” Emilys voice trembled. “And then you wonder why Im distant?”
“Wheres the money, Emily?” Margaret pressed. “If not for the family, youre stashing it to walk away!”
“James, please see your mother out. Weve nothing left to say,” Emily said quietly.
“Of course Ill go! But mark my wordsyoure the one tearing this family apart!” Margaret shot back, though she added on her way out, “Then again you were never really suited.”
When the door closed, James stayed silent for a long moment.
“You really thought I was planning an exit strategy?” he finally asked.
“I didnt know. You never spoke. Silence is an answer too.”
“I dont want a divorce. I love you. And the kids.”
“Then prove it. Show me Im not just temporary.”
“Alright. Ill transfer the flat into Sophies name. And Ill start putting money into the childrens accounts. Bit by bit, but regularly. Trust goes both ways.”
Emily gave a quiet nod.
“And the word divorcewe dont say it again,” James added.
“Agreed.”
For the first time in ages, they felt like they were talking not as strangers, but as partners.
A family isnt held together by money, but by honesty. Silence breaks ittruth binds it.
