He still wasnt home. Lately, hed been swamped with work and coming back later each night.
Emma had put the children to bed and gone to the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea. James hadnt arrived yet. Over the past few weeks, hed been buried under piles of work and exhaustion, often staying late. Emma felt sorry for him and tried to shield him from household worries. After all, he was the only one bringing money into the house.
Right after their wedding, theyd agreed that Emma would take care of the home and their future children, while James would provide for the family. Thats how their three little ones had come into the world, one after another. James had been overjoyed each time, insisting he wasnt stopping anytime soon.
Emma, on the other hand, was worn out from endless nappies, baby formula, and sleepless nights. Shed decided to take a break from having more children.
James finally came home after midnight, slightly tipsy. When she asked why he was so late, he shrugged.
“Emma, we were drowning in work, so I took the lads out for a quick drink to unwind.”
“Darling!” she smiled. “Let me fix you something to eat.”
“Dont bother. Had some chicken wingslost my appetite. Ill just head straight to bed.”
International Womens Day was approaching. Emma asked her mother to look after the kids while she went to the shopping centre. She wanted to celebrate with something speciala romantic dinner, just the two of them. Her mum agreed to take the children.
Besides groceries and gifts, Emma decided to treat herself to something new. She hadnt bought clothes in agesit felt awkward asking James for money, and she had nowhere to wear them anyway. The last thing shed bought was a housecoat, hardly suitable for the evening she had planned. So she stepped into a boutique, picked out a few dresses, and slipped into the changing room.
She was trying on the second dress when she heard her husbands voice from the next cubicle.
“Mmm, cant wait to get you out of this!”
A womans playful giggle followed.
“Be patient, you devil! Go pick something out for your wife instead!”
“Why would she need anything? Shes too busy with the kids. They dont care what she wears, as long as theyre fed, changed, and their toys are picked up! Maybe Ill get her a slow cooker. Or a bread makershell love that!”
A cold shiver ran down Emmas spine. She kept trying on dresses mechanically, straining to hear more.
“But what if she asks where you spent all that money? A slow cooker and bread maker dont cost that much,” the woman teased.
“Why should I justify how I spend my money? Im the one workingshe just stays at home! I give her a set amount for the house, and thats plenty! She should be grateful!”
The voices faded as they finished up. Peeking out cautiously, Emma saw her beloved husband at the till, paying for his purchases alongside a blonde woman. Without hesitation, he kissed her right there in front of the cashier.
“Everything alright, love?” the shop assistant asked, noticing Emma still in the changing room.
“Yes, fine!” she replied, handing over the dresses with a forced smile.
Back home, Emma sent her mother off and put the children down for their nap. She began making plans. She never expected such betrayal from James. Not just the cheatingbut the way he belittled her and everything she did for the family. In an instant, everything shed built for them meant nothing. She wanted to run, file for divorce straight awaybut she forced herself to think carefully.
“If I divorce him, hell run off to his mistress, and Ill be left with the kids and no income. Child support? Probably pennies. How will we survive?”
By evening, shed made her decision. That night, James didnt stay late under the usual work excuse. “Probably spent the day with her,” Emma thought indifferently. All her feelings for him had vanished. He was a stranger now. Her only worry was that he might want intimacyshe couldnt bear the thought.
But apparently, James had gotten all he wanted from his mistress, because he didnt come near her.
The next day, Emma drafted her CV and sent it to several companies and agencies. All she could do was wait. Days dragged on as she checked her email every morning. Finally, a responseshe was invited for an interview at a firm in town. The very same one where James worked. She debated whether to go but decided she had to.
Leaving the children with her mum, Emma headed to the interview. After two hours of discussions, she was offered a decent position with flexible hours. The salary wasnt huge to start, but enough to support herself and the kids.
She floated home in a daze of happiness. Her mother, seeing her so cheerful, started questioning her.
“Mum, James is cheating on me!” Emma blurted out, grinning. Thinking stress had made her daughter hysterical, the older woman grabbed her hand and sat her down.
“Emma, how can you say such a thing? James works so hard!”
“Hes not workinghes with his mistress!” Emma spilled everything shed overheard in the shop. Her mother listened, then asked,
“What are you going to do?”
“Im divorcing him! And yes, Ive got a flexible job now. Ill apply for nursery spots, and once all the kids are settled, Ill go full-time!”
“Well! I wont stop you. Betrayal shouldnt be forgiven! This is only the beginninghe doesnt even see you as a person anymore! Ill help with the kids.”
“Thank you, Mum!” Emma hugged her tightly.
On the evening of March 7th, James came home late again. Emma didnt ask why. Surprised by her indifference, he started rambling excuses.
“Emma, the lads and I lost track of time”
“Just go to bed,” she cut him off.
The next morning, as Emma was fixing breakfast for the kids, James triumphantly presented her with a gifta bread maker.
“Darling, to make your life easier!” he said, leaning in for a kiss. Emma stepped back, ignoring the box.
“Ive got a gift for you too.”
Confused, James followed her to the hallway, where she pointed at two large suitcases.
“Were getting divorced. No more lies about where youve been.”
“How did you find out?” he muttered, stunned.
“I heard everything in the changing room while you were buying gifts for your blonde. And keep the bread makershe might want it. I dont.”
Caught red-handed and losing his family, James exploded.
“Jealous Ive got someone else? Someone beautiful, passionate, and put-togetherunlike you! Youve forgotten how to even wear makeup! Youre stuck at home with the kids, living off my money! Its my business who I spend it on! And youve got no right to question me! Youre just a gold-digging wife!”
“I dont care,” Emma said calmly. “Get out.”
The next day, she filed for divorce and child support. A week later, someone banged on the door. Her mother-in-law stood there, screeching before even saying hello.
“Gold-digger! Youve driven my son away and now youre after his money? Drop the child supporthe owes you nothing!”
“He owes it to his childrenthe ones he wanted!” Emma shot back. “If he cant afford his mistress anymore, thats his problem. Hes as much a parent as I am!”
“What will you do without his money? You had kids thinking youd live off him forever! But you wont! Hell get his boss to slash his official salary, and youll get scraps! Youll come crawling back!”
“I doubt it.” Emma pointed at the door. “Leave my house before I call the police.”
Cursing, the woman stormed off. A few months later, all three children got nursery spots. Once the youngest started, Emma returned to full-time work.
“Hi.” A familiar voice spoke at her desk. “Can we talk?”
“Sorry, James, Im busy,” she replied without looking up.
“Maybe lunch?” he pressed. Emma lifted her gaze. Her ex-husband looked tired and worn out. She knew the blonde had dumped him the moment she realised half his salary would go to child support. But it didnt matter anymore.
“No, James. Were not talking. Were not having lunch. Goodbye.”
