Late again? The workload had grown heavier lately, making him late more often.
Emily tucked the children into bed and wandered to the kitchen to brew a cup of tea. Still no sign of Thomas. Lately, hed been buried in work, and his returns home grew later each night.
She pitied her husband, shielding him from household worries. After all, he was the sole breadwinner. Theyd agreed after the weddingEmily would tend the home and future children, while Thomas ensured their comfort. Three children came, one after another, each birth filling him with joy. He insisted they shouldnt stop there.
But exhaustion gnawed at Emilyendless nappies, mashed meals, sleepless nights. She decided it was time to pause.
Thomas stumbled in past midnight, unusually cheerful. When she asked why he was so late, he chuckled, “Love, weve all been swamped. Needed to let off steam.”
“My poor darling,” she smiled. “Come, let me fix you something.”
“Dont bother. Grabbed a biteruined my appetite. Best turn in.”
With Mothers Day approaching, Emily left the children with her mum and headed to the shopping centre. She wanted this day to be specialjust the two of them, a quiet, romantic dinner. Her mother happily took the children for the evening.
Beyond groceries and gifts, Emily decided to treat herself. She hadnt bought anything for agestoo ashamed to take Thomass money for clothes, and nowhere to wear them anyway. Her last purchase had been a housecoat, hardly fitting for the occasion. She slipped into a boutique, selected a few dresses, and stepped into a changing room.
As she tried on the second dress, a familiar voice drifted from the next cubicle: “Mmm, Id love to take that off you already.”
A womans bright laughter answered.
“Hold on, you rascal! Go pick something for your wife!”
“Why bother? Shes drowning in nappies. The kids wont care if shes in ragsfed, changed, toys put away, thats all that matters! Maybe Ill get her a blender. Or a bread makershell be thrilled!”
Ice flooded Emilys veins. She moved silently, mechanically slipping into another dress as the voices continued.
“If she asks where you spent so much,” the woman giggled, “a blender and bread maker dont cost that much…”
“And why should I justify how I spend MY money? Im the one workingshe sits at home wanting for nothing! I give her a household allowance, and thats that. She should be grateful.”
The rustling stopped; they must have finished. Emily peeked out just as her beloved husband stood at the till, arm around a blonde, paying for their haul. As the clerk handed him the receipt, he pulled the woman close and kissed her full on the mouth.
“Everything alright?” The shop assistants voice snapped Emily backhow long had she been staring blankly?
“Yes, yes, fine,” she muttered, handing over the dresses. “Ill take them all.”
At home, after her mother left and the children napped, Emily sat frozen. Betrayal wasnt the worst of itit was how little he valued her. She wanted to scream, demand a divorce, but forced herself to think.
“Fine, Ill leave him. Hell run off with her, and Ill be alone with three children and no income. Child support? Pennies, most likely. How would we live?”
By evening, shed made her choice. Thomas didnt return late that night”plenty of time for his mistress today,” she thought dully. Every shred of love had vanished. He was a stranger now. Only one worry remainedif he sought intimacy, she could no longer pretend.
But he seemed satisfied, keeping his distance.
The next morning, Emily updated her CV and sent it out. All that was left was to wait. Each day began with her checking emails until, finally, the reply camean interview at the very firm where Thomas worked. She debated going but decided it was worth it.
Leaving the children with her mother, Emily attended. After two hours with management, they offered her a solid positionflexible hours, a modest but livable wage.
She floated home. Her mother, seeing her radiant, fired off questions.
“Mum, Thomas is cheating!” Emily blurted, strangely elated. Convinced her daughter had lost her mind, the older woman gripped her hands.
“Emily, what nonsense! Hes at work all day!”
“No, hes with HER!” The whole story spilled out. Her mother listened, then asked, “What will you do?”
“Divorce him. AndIve got a job! Flexible hours. Once all three are in nursery, Ill go full-time.”
“I wont stop you. Cheatings unforgivable. Worsehe doesnt see your worth. But Ill help with the children.”
“Thank you, Mum.” Emily hugged her fiercely.
A week later, Thomas arrived late again. Emily didnt ask. Baffled by her indifference, he stammered, “Love, we were swamped” but she cut him off, sending him to bed.
The next morning, as she fed the children breakfast, Thomas presented her with a gifta bread maker.
“To make life easier, darling!” He leaned in for a kiss, but Emily recoiled, barely glancing at it.
“Ive a gift for you too.”
Confused, he followed her to the hall, where two packed suitcases waited.
“Im leaving you. No need to hide your affairs anymore.”
“How did you?”
“The changing room. While you shopped for your blonde. And take this backgive it to her. I dont need it.”
Cornered, Thomas snarled, “Jealous, are you? Shes beautiful, passionate, cared forunlike you! Youve forgotten how to dress, buried in kids, living off me! And how dare you question my spending? Its MY money! Youre just a greedy fool!”
“Im not jealous,” Emily said calmly. “Leave.”
The next day, she filed for divorce and child support. A week later, her mother-in-law pounded on the door.
“Gold-digging trash! You drove him out and now bleed him dry? Drop the claimhe owes you nothing!”
“He pays for his childrenthe ones HE wanted!” Emily shot back. “If his mistress is short on cash, thats his problem. Hes their father as much as Im their mother!”
“Whatll you do without his money? Popped out kids hoping to ride him forever? Well, you wont! Hell slash his official salaryyoull get scraps! Youll rot!”
“Not likely.” Emily pointed to the door. “Leave, or Ill call the police.”
Cursing, the woman stormed out.
Months passed. One by one, the children started nursery. Soon after the youngest enrolled, Emily took on full-time hours.
“Hello.” A familiar voice drifted to her desk. “Can we talk?”
“Busy, Thomas,” she said without looking up.
“Lunch, maybe?” He wouldnt quit. Emily lifted her gaze. He looked worn, frayed. Shed heard the blonde threw him out once she learned half his wages went to child support. But it didnt matter anymore.
“No, Thomas. We wont talk. We wont have lunch.”
