**Diary Entry**
Late again from work? Lately, his workload has been unbearable, so hes been coming home late more often than not. Emily tucked the children into bed and went to the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea. Still no sign of James. These days, hes been swamped at the office, hardly ever home before dark.
She pitied him, really. He was the sole breadwinner, after all. When they married, theyd agreed: shed take care of the house and their future children, while hed provide for them. One after another, three little ones arrived. Each birth filled him with joy, and hed often say he didnt want to stop there.
But Emily was exhaustedendless nappies, bottles, sleepless nights. She decided it was time to pause.
James didnt come home until well past midnight. He seemed oddly cheerful. When she asked why he was so late, he shrugged.
“Long day, love. We all needed to unwind a bit.”
“My poor darling,” she murmured, forcing a smile. “Let me fix you something to eat.”
“Dont bother. Grabbed a bite on the way homelost my appetite. Better just head to bed.”
Mothers Day was approaching. Emily left the children with her mum and went to the shopping centre. She wanted this day to be specialjust the two of them, a romantic dinner. Her mother was happy to help.
Besides groceries and gifts, Emily decided to treat herself. It had been ages since shed bought anything just for her. She felt guilty spending Jamess money on clothes, and she never went anywhere to wear them anyway. The last thing shed bought was a worn-out tracksuithardly fitting for an evening out. She wandered into a boutique, picked out a few dresses, and stepped into the changing room.
As she pulled on the second dress, she heard a familiar voice from the next stall.
“Mmm, cant wait to get you out of that.”
A womans laughter rang out in reply.
“Patience! Go pick something for your wife instead.”
“Why bother? Shes buried in nappies and school runs. The kids dont care what she wearsas long as theyre fed and their toys are picked up! Maybe Ill get her a blender. Or a bread makershell be thrilled!”
Emily froze. She kept quiet, mechanically trying on dresses while their voices carried through the thin walls.
“And if she asks where all the money went?” the woman giggled. “Blenders dont cost that much.”
“Why should I explain where I spend *my* money? *I* work, while she sits at home wanting for nothing! I give her an allowancethats enough. She should be grateful!”
The voices faded as they left. Emily peeked out. There he washer beloved Jamesat the till with some blonde, kissing her right there in the shop.
“Everything alright in there?” The attendants voice snapped her back.
“Yes, fine!” She handed over the dresses. “Ill take them all.”
At home, after her mother left and the children were napping, Emily sat in silence. Betrayal. Not just the affairbut the way he spoke about her, as if she were nothing.
She wanted to scream, to demand a divorce. But she forced herself to think.
*If I leave, hell run off with that woman, and Ill be alone with three children. Child support? A pittance. How will we survive?*
By evening, shed made her decision. James came home on time that nightno more “late meetings.” *Mustve had his fill earlier,* she thought coldly. Every ounce of love shed felt for him had vanished. He was a stranger now. The only thing that unsettled her was the thought of him expecting intimacysomething she could never give him again.
But James, satisfied elsewhere, didnt even try.
The next day, she updated her CV and sent it out. All she could do now was wait. Every morning began with checking her emails. Finallyan interview offer. At Jamess company, no less. She hesitated, then went anyway.
After nearly two hours of discussion, they offered her a position with flexible hours. The pay wasnt much at first, but enough to support herself and the children.
She floated home. Her mother, seeing her smile, frowned.
“Mum, James is cheating on me!” Emily blurted out.
Her mother grabbed her hand. “Emily, what nonsense! Hes at work all day!”
“Not workingseeing another woman!” She recounted everything.
Her mother sighed. “What will you do?”
“Divorce him. And Ive got a job now. Once the kids are all in nursery, Ill work full-time.”
“I wont stop you. No one should tolerate that. And Ill help with the children.”
“Thank you, Mum.” Emily hugged her tightly.
A few days later, James came home late again. Emily ignored him. Confused, he started rambling.
“Long day, love”
“Just go to bed,” she cut in.
The next morning, as she fed the children breakfast, James proudly presented her with a gifta bread maker.
“To make your life easier!” He leaned in for a kiss. She recoiled.
“I have a gift for you too.”
Bewildered, he followed her to the hallway. Two suitcases stood by the door.
“Im divorcing you. No more hiding.”
“How did you?”
“The changing room. When you were picking gifts for your blonde. And keep the bread makershe might want it.”
James turned red. “Jealous, are you? Shes beautiful, passionatenothing like you! Youve let yourself go! Just a tired housewife living off *my* money! Who are you to question how I spend it? Youre just greedy!”
“Im not jealous,” she said calmly. “Leave.”
The next day, she filed for divorce and child support. A week later, her mother-in-law banged on the door.
“Gold-digging shrew!” the woman hissed. “Dragging my son through court for money? Drop the claimhe owes you nothing!”
“He owes his children,” Emily snapped. “If hes struggling to spoil his mistress, thats his problem.”
“Youll starve without him! Hell cut his salaryyoull get pennies!”
“Not possible.” Emily pointed to the door. “Leave before I call the police.”
The woman stormed out, cursing.
Months passed. The children settled into nursery, and soon, Emily started full-time work.
One day, a familiar voice spoke at her desk.
“Hi. Can we talk?”
“Busy, James,” she said, not looking up.
“Lunch, then?”
She finally met his gaze. He looked tired, worn down. Shed heard the blonde dumped him when she found out half his salary would go to child support. But Emily felt nothing.
“No, James. Were done.”
