Victor Whitaker stood on the doorstep the man Emily had married twice and from whom shed been separated four years earlier. In his hands he clutched a bouquet of white roses, and on his face wore the same grin that had once captured her twentytwoyearold heart.
Emily, Ive come back, he declared, as if announcing a victory on the battlefield. I realise I made a terrible mistake. Youre the finest woman Ive ever known.
Emily glanced at him, then stepped aside. Well, Victor, what a surprise, she said, pulling her shoes off as he entered. Do go in, but take your shoes off I dont want you leaving any more footprints in my house.
She let him pass into the hallway, her eyes neutral. Victor waited for an embrace, for tears of joy, perhaps even for a rebuke he could graciously accept. Instead, Emily turned back to the kitchen and kept eating her breakfast, not even offering him a seat.
How are you, Victor? she asked, cutting her omelette. Did the latest crush drive you out, or have you decided to look for a temporary shelter on your own?
Victor was momentarily speechless. In the four years since their split he had forgotten how unflappable Emily could be. He recalled her as a bright, forgiving young woman, eager to keep a family together. Now, across the table, sat a thirtysixyearold with a steady gaze and nerves of steel.
Emily, I want to rebuild our family, Victor placed the roses beside her plate. These years Ive lived as if in a dream. Only now do I understand that my place is here, with you and the kids.
Is that so? Emily sipped her coffee. Whats changed? Have you finally lost that talent for disappearing at the worst possible moment?
Im serious! Victor snapped. I want to be near you, to look after the children, to care for you. Ive come with flowers and an open heart.
An open heart and an empty wallet, as usual? Emily teased, then softened. Anyway, have a seat. Want a cup of tea? Or are you on some new diet to find yourself?
Ten years earlier, a freshface Emily had been studying economics at a teachertraining college in Manchester when she first met Victor at a student party. He was three years her senior, working as a security guard in a shopping centre, and seemed mature and selfsufficient.
Marry me, he had said after two months of dating. Why wait? I see youre the one.
Victor, we barely know each other, Emily had protested.
Whats there to know? he had replied, kissing her hand. Love isnt a calculation, lovebug. No need to do the maths.
Blinded by romance, Emily agreed. Victor rented a onebed flat, and after the wedding they moved in together. She juggled her studies with nighttime translation gigs from English to earn enough for rent. Victor earned a pittance, constantly griping about unfair bosses.
Listen, Emily, he would say, slumped on the sofa after yet another dismissal, I need a job that lets me be creative. These grey office cubicles just dont get me.
Sure, dear, Emily would reply, tallying the family budget. While you search for yourself, Ill work double. No problem.
After graduating, Emily aimed for a banking job her redbordered degree and language skills opened good prospects. But then she discovered she was pregnant. Their son, Thomas, arrived when Emily was twentythree; a year and a half later their daughter, Lucy, was born.
Children are a blessing, Victor would coo, rocking Lucy. Money will come. The important thing is love at home.
Youre right, love, Emily would answer, mentally budgeting for utility bills. Kids are the priority; the rest will follow.
Most of the income came from Emily. Even with two toddlers she managed to work online translating, teaching English via Skype, writing articles. Victor, meanwhile, cycled through five jobs in four years, each time justifying the low pay.
Emily, I cant work where my spirit isnt content. It kills me. Id rather earn less and keep my inner peace, he would muse.
Indeed, Emily would agree, exhausted. Inner peace is sacred. The outside will sort itself out.
When Thomas turned four and started nursery, Victor suddenly announced, Im burnt out, Emily. I need space to find myself. Im filing for divorce.
What do you mean find myself? Emily asked, stunned. We have two children, a mortgage Victor, what are you talking about?
Its exactly why I need time to think, he replied coldly. Im choking in this routine. I want a split of the assets. Half the flat is mine.
But I bought that flat! Emily protested. I took the mortgage, Im paying it off!
Were a marriage, Victor shrugged. Everything acquired together is shared equally. Thats the law, love.
Realising they might end up homeless, Emily saw that the twobedroom flat in the new development was all they had. She had to borrow from friends and take a further loan to buy Victors share. Her retired mother, a schoolteacher, could not help financially.
Dear, if I had the money Id give it all away, Emily whispered into the phone, but my pension is pennies and that scoundrel how could he do this to his own kids?
Dont worry, mum, Victors brother, Michael, tried to comfort her.
The court ordered child support. Victor paid diligently for two years, then vanished. He stopped calling on birthdays, didnt send New Year wishes he simply disappeared.
A month after the divorce, Michael, Victors old university mate, appeared at Emilys front door with a bunch of daisies.
Emily, Ive always loved you, he confessed. I know its not the best timing, but will you marry me? Im not scared of the children; Ill love them as my own.
Michael, youre a wonderful man, Emily sighed, but I cant take advantage of your kindness. You deserve a woman who loves you wholly, not one whos looking for a rescue.
Michael, a respectable programmer, earned well and was decent, but Emily only felt gratitude toward him, not love.
Mike, youre a great person, but Im not ready can we just stay friends? she said softly. That would mean a lot to me.
Ill wait, he replied, hope in his eyes. As long as it takes.
Emily laughed ruefully. Dont waste your prime years on me. Find a woman who instantly sees the treasure next to her.
For two years Emily lived with the kids, working tirelessly. She completed further qualifications and began giving online economics lectures to parttime students, which helped clear most of the mortgage. Michael offered financial help several times, but she declined, not wanting any debt of gratitude.
Emily, isnt it proud of you? Michael would say. Were friends.
Exactly because were friends I wont ruin our relationship with money, she answered. Your friendship means more than any cash.
Then Victor reappeared, kneeling in her living room.
Emily, the past two years Ive been a hermit, he said. Ive rethought everything. I now realise that family is the most important thing. Children are the purpose of life. True love only happens once.
Where have you been all that time? Emily asked, eyes narrowed.
I was working, renting a room, thinking about you. I needed to regain strength, to understand my mistakes. Im ready to be the proper husband and father.
Their children twelveyearold Thomas and tenyearold Lucy rushed into his arms, delighted. They remembered him as the dad who played hideandseek and read bedtime stories, never hearing from him about the hardships their mother endured.
Dad, you wont leave again? Lucy asked, hugging him.
Never, sweetheart. I finally know my place is here, with the people I love most.
Emily, worn down by years of solitary struggle, finally gave in. She and Victor signed the paperwork at the local registry office.
Why do we need a marriage licence? Michael asked when Emily told him the news. Isnt living together enough?
Victor insists. He wants to prove his seriousness. Honestly, Id like to believe theres some stability now.
Emily, a man whos fled once is hard to trust, Michael warned. Are you sure?
Mike, please. People can change. Give us a chance.
Emilys mother, Margaret, greeted the reunion with cautious optimism.
Darling, Im happy for you, but remember a man who once sought freedom rarely forgets it. Be careful.
Mom, not all men are the same. Victor truly regrets his actions.
Three years of married life seemed almost perfect. Victor acted like an exemplary husband and father, doing repairs, taking the kids to the seaside, and even paying the courtordered child support, though occasionally he suggested stopping it.
Dont bother, Margaret advised. Let the money go into a savings account for the children. A financial cushion never hurts.
Mom, youre too distrustful, Emily retorted. Victor has proven hes reliable.
Time will tell, Margaret replied.
Then, as if on cue, Victor announced, Im filing for divorce again. Family life isnt for me. I feel suffocated.
What are you talking about? Emily shouted. You swore youd changed.
I thought I had changed, but family feels like a cage. Im an artist; I need space to create.
Youre a manager at a construction firm, not an artist! Emily snapped.
My soul craves flight. With you I become a regular bloke.
The second divorce hit Emily harder than the first. She was no longer the naïve girl who believed in fairytale love. When Victor came to collect his things, Emily hurled his suitcase down the stairs.
Get out and never come back! she yelled, voice shaking.
Dont make a scene, Emily! The neighbours will hear! Victor retorted, gathering his scattered belongings.
Youre a terrible father! Youve abandoned us twice! Emily screamed. Ill still pay child support, but you never called after the first split!
Victor tried to sue for compensation for renovations and a family holiday, but lost. The children were left fatherless again, and Emily no longer hid her contempt.
Mom, will Dad ever live with us again? nineyearold Thomas asked.
No, love. He chose his freedom over us.
Is he a bad person? sevenyearold Lucy inquired.
Hes not evil, love, just cant keep his promises.
Six months later Michael returned, offering again.
Emily, enough of the misery. Marry me. Ive loved you for over a decade.
Mike, not now, Emily replied, angry at the world. I dont trust any man any more. Youre all the same.
Its unfair, I never let you down, Michael protested.
Until now. What if you want freedom tomorrow? Emily retorted.
Then Michael dropped a bombshell: When Victor first left, he was living with a lover, Valentina. She threw him out after two years, and he returned to you. Now hes with another woman, Marian.
How do you know that? Emily asked, stunned.
We were friends. He bragged about it. For him, your flat and family are just a stop between mistresses. Hell come back again.
Youre lying! Emily shouted. Youre trying to ruin him to win me over!
Its the truth, Emily. A man who abandons his family twice cant be trusted, Michael warned.
Emily shoved Michael out, but his words lingered like a splinter.
Later, Victor returned once more, hoping to win her back.
Whats changed? he asked, expecting a softer response. Ive realised life has no meaning without you. Youre the only woman Ive ever truly loved.
Interesting theory, Emily replied, finishing her coffee. I thought youd gone to Marian. Did she throw you out like Valentina?
Victor froze, not expecting Emily to know his affairs.
It doesnt matter where Ive been, she said. What matters is that I now see the truth behind your search for self. Our children are twelve and ten; theyve learned to survive without a father who only shows up with flowers every few years.
Ill do anything! Victor blurted, pulling out his phone. Whatever you want, whatever the conditions, just tell me.
A notification pinged: £7,000 transferred to Emilys account.
This proves my seriousness, Victor announced proudly. I want to rebuild the family, support the kids, make you happy.
Emily smiled at the amount. You really think you can buy my affection? Do you expect me to sit here waiting for you to stroll back with a wallet full of cash?
But you still love me! Victor protested. Youre scared to trust another man!
Emily laughed, leaning back. Victor, Ive already accepted Michaels proposals. Hes a good, decent man.
What about him? Victor snapped. Is he your new lover?
Thats none of your business, Emily retorted. Youre no longer my husband. You can stay out of my personal life.
Victors face darkened. Michael? That wretched whelp whos always been in love with you! So youve been carrying on with him while Ive suffered?
Silence, Victor, Emily said coolly. Your moralising is laughable. Youve had three marriages, two affairs, and you still call this spiritual search.
I was looking for you in them! I tried to forget, but I couldnt! he cried.
Youre romantic, Victor, Emily replied with icy irony. Its charming that you searched for love in other womens beds, like some saint on a desert.
Realising hed been outmaneuvered, Victor tried again. Ill give you everything I have, even my last penny. Ill put it towards the childrens education.
Another transfer arrived: £5,700.
This is all I own, even the loan money. Ill give you every cent because I believe we can start anew.
Emily checked the balance, then nodded. Thanks. That will go straight to the kids tuition. They need it.
Victor beamed. So youll take it?
No, Ill take the money, Emily said, smiling. Now leave. Never return.
What? Youre joking! Ive given you almost half a million pounds! Victor shouted, horrified.
Nobody asked for it, love, Emily replied calmly. It was your idea. Get out of my house.
Youre a liar! A golddigging hag! Victor yelled, furious.
Victor, you really thought you could purchase love? At your age that naïveté is almost touching, Emily said gently.
Just then Lucy entered, eyes wide. Mum, whos that?
Thats your father, sweetheart, Emily answered.
Lucy rolled her eyes. Great, hes back pretending to be dad again?
Dont call him dad, Emily scolded. Thats not how we speak about him.
Why should we feel sorry for him? Lucy sobbed. He abandoned us twice! Youve been working nights to feed us, and now he shows up like nothing happened!
Emily tried to calm her. Lucy, dear, lets not forget what hes done.
No, mum! Let him know we remember! Lucy wailed. You think weve forgotten your tears?
From the hallway came Thomas, twelve, looking as stern as his mother. Whats all this shouting about? He saw Victor and his face hardened. So Dads back again.
Thomas, mind your tone, Emily warned.
Whats so rude? Thomas replied coldly. Hes a periodic father. He shows up once every few years.
Enough, children, Emily snapped.
Dont you see? The kids love you, dad! Theyre thrilled to see you, Emily turned to Victor. Look how happy they seem.
Theyre against me! Victor shouted, pointing at the kids.
I never forced them, Emily said coldly. They remember everything themselves. Now get out for good.
Victor, humiliated, left the flat in silence. The children despised him, the exwife treated him like a persistent beggar, and his pockets were empty.
The moment the door shut, Lucy stopped crying and grinned. Mum, how was that? I was a good actress, wasnt I?
Emily laughed, then the kids joined in, their giggles filling the room. Alright, well have a treat today, Emily said, hugging Lucy. But only today the rest of the money goes to your education.
How about we get a cake? Lucy asked. And pizza, and icecream, and a new video game?
Sure, Thomas replied. And maybe a new book series.
Emily watched her clever, resilient children and smiled. They had grown strong despite everything, perhaps because of it.
Fine, she said. Well have a celebration today, and the rest of the cash well set aside for your future.
Will he ever come back? Thomas asked seriously.
I doubt it, Emily answered. That lesson was pricey.
Half a million pounds for a lesson is a bargain, Lucy giggled.
Indeed, the most useful lesson of his life, Emily added.
Meanwhile, Victor was wandering the streets, cursing his fate. He had no flat he rented a room from strangers and took the bus everywhere. All his savings and loans, roughly £20,000, were now in Emilys account. He was left with only shame and the childrens hatred.
Damned Emily, he muttered on a crowded bus. Shes the last fool I ever duped. Curse Valentina and Marian, andAnd as the night deepened, Victor vanished into the fog, his empty pockets a stark reminder that some debts are never truly repaid.
