Betrayal and Ultimatums
Look, Emma, I dont have the time or the patience to listen to your endless complaints.
You can either switch off this wounded act right now and we can get on with our lives, or tomorrow Ill be packing my bags and you can explain to our daughter why her dads gone. Yourself, you understand?
Emmas voice was barely above a whisper. What does getting on with life mean to you, Tom? Are you saying I should pretend as if nothing happened, as if I didnt read those messages?
As if Andys Auto Parts didnt text you at two in the morning saying he missed your hands?
Tom let out a loud sigh and kicked off his trainers, pressing down on the heel with unnecessary force.
Not this again he grumbled. How many times do I have to say itits over. Am I home? Yes. Am I with you? Yes. Am I still handing over money? Yes.
What more do you want from me? Get on my knees and beg? Not a chance.
I dont want that, she replied quietly, clutching her hands together. I want you to stop speaking to me like Im in your way. Every day you sneer, youre sarcastic you barely tolerate me.
Thats because youre impossible! he shot back, raising his voice. You sulk around the house like a ghost, always looking like youve just chewed a lemon.
You think its easy coming back here? I walk inI get questioned, or I get the silent treatment!
Any normal woman would have let it go by nowfor the sake of the family. But not you. You just have to keep twisting the knife, dont you?
He brushed past her in the hallway to the kitchen, his shoulder knocking into hers as she swayed but steadied herself.
Emma used to believe shed drawn the winning ticket. Tomsuccessful, determined, a good father. They had a five-year-old daughter, Grace, a comfortable home, both with decent incomes.
But the affair six months ago hadnt been a one-offa secret life stretched out for months behind Emmas back.
She had discovered it by accident: Grace, playing with Toms phone, accidentally opened a message. Andys Auto Parts asked if Tom had bought that special lingerie that suits her so well.
Once it all came out, Tom didnt deny it. Silent at first, then angry, he finally spat, Yeah, it happened. Its over now. Dont make a mountain out of a molehillIm here, arent I?
In the six months since, he hadnt apologised, not really. He never admitted guilt, and that hurt Emma the most.
When Emma entered the kitchen, Tom was slouched at the table, scrolling through his phone. In front of him was a plate of baked cod shed thoughtfully covered to keep warm.
Not got the hang of seasoning then? he muttered, pulling off the plate. Or have your taste buds gone numb from crying?
Tom, stop. Grace is in her roomshe hears everything.
Let her then, he sneered, shoving a forkful in his mouth. Let her know Mums doing everything she can to drive Dad out the door. Isnt that what you want?
I want you to be a decent human. You swore wed do everything to keep our family together, remember? Is this what working on yourself looks likeinsulting me?
Tom set down his fork, glaring.
Listen up, darling. Family is a project, and I’m invested in this project. I play with Grace, pay for her piano lessons, take her to nursery. You wanted a present fathershes got one. But Im not required to treat you well after youve battered me with this for months!
My terms are simple: drop it or Im gone. But if I walk, youre not getting a penny from me.
Well split the flat, and youll have to sell up. Youll owe me thousands.
Have you got that lying about? No. So, that means youll be renting, living somewhere out the way, Grace in a new nursery. Is that what you want for her?
Emma was silent. Tom knew her weaknesses better than she did. The thought of uprooting their daughterchanging schools, losing friends, moving to some shabby little flat while lawyers bickered over every square footfilled her with dread.
So just keep quiet, Tom finished curtly. Eat your dinner. You look like youre wasting awaymakes me sick just looking at it.
***
Later that evening, Grace was fast asleep, her arms hugging a well-loved plush rabbit. Emma sat on the balcony, lost in thought.
Tom really was, by most measures, a good dad. He didnt drink. He never raised a hand. Grace adored him.
Daddy, youre my hero, shed whisper to him most mornings.
How could Emma destroy that world for her daughter?
From the living room, Toms voice carried overhe was on the phone, not bothering to keep his voice down.
Tomorrows fine, yeah. Listen, I told you: Ill sort it. Shell moan, she always does, but shell come round. What else is she going to do, stuck on this ship?
Emma froze. So this was what he thought of her She yanked open the balcony door.
Tom was sprawled out on the sofa, feet up. He ended the call quickly as she entered.
Who was that? she demanded.
A colleague. Want me to show you my contact list? He offered the phone with a flourish. Go on, Detective. Have a nose.
But dont forget: if I find even one message deleted because you dont like itIm gone tomorrow. You hear me?
Are you joking, Tom? Emma took a step closer. You really think you get to set the rules after what youve done?
I do, he said flatly. Because Im the man, I decide how this family lives. You either fall in line, or youre on your own.
He stood, crowding into her space.
You do know, Emma, some other bloke will never love Grace like I do, dont you? he whispered in her ear. Hell put up with her while youre young and pretty. But once youre not, shell just be in the way. Is that what you want for her? A stepdad who doesnt give a toss?
Youre vile, Tom, she breathed, recoiling.
Im a realist, he grinned. Right, Im off for a shower. Get me a clean shirt for tomorrowthe burgundy one.
And iron it, by the way. There was a crease in the collar today. Annoyed me.
He strode out, leaving Emma standing in the middle of the room.
***
The morning was filled with the usual chaosEmma flipping pancakes, Grace refusing to put on her tights.
Tom appeared in the burgundy shirtEmma found herself ironing it after all.
Mum, are we going to the zoo on Saturday? Grace sang from the table.
Of course, darling, Emma forced a smile.
Daddy, are you coming? You promised to show me the big lion!
Tom smoothed Graces hair, his face magically softening.
Ill come, sweetheart. Provided Mum behaves herself and doesnt upset Dad, well definitely go.
Emma nearly dropped the spatula.
Tom, dont be ridiculous, she hissed when Grace became absorbed in cartoons.
What? he said innocently, raising his eyebrows. Just teaching her about family pecking order.
You dont want her missing out on her weekend because you cant keep it together, do you?
Emma said nothing. There was nothing to sayonce again he was hiding behind their daughter.
***
Emma was distracted all day at work. Colleagues kept asking if she was alright; she brushed them off, blaming a bad nights sleep.
Over lunch, she looked up flats to rent. Prices were brutal; anything decent nearby was snapped up overnight.
Cheaper options were miles away, on the far edge of the city.
Two hours each way. The nursery closes at six. I physically couldnt pick her up in time, Emma thought, closing her laptop. Where would we go? How would we manage?
An hour before the workday ended, Tom called.
Listen, Ill be late tonight. Work stuff. Dont wait up for me. And Emma
What?
Pick up a decent bottle of red. Medium sweet. Well talk tonight. Like adults, without all the drama.
Tom, I
Emma, Im not asking, he cut in. Im offering you a chance to clear the air. Dont blow it. Rightsee you at home. Give Grace a kiss from me.
He hung up. Emma stared at the phone, numb. Maybe a conversation wouldnt hurt. Things couldnt get much worse.
***
Grace was asleep in moments. Emma sat at the kitchen table, the unopened bottle of red sitting in front of hershe hated herself for buying it.
Tom returned near eleven, cheerful.
Well done, he kissed her cheek. Emma stiffened instantly. Oh, come on. Lets just have a glass. Chill out a bit.
He poured the wine, took a sip, then looked at her.
Ive been thinking we need a break. How about Turkey next month? Just us three. Grace loves the seaIve already found a nice hotel.
Tom, a holiday? Emma stared at him. Were barely on speaking terms!
Thats down to you, he shrugged, sipping his wine. Im trying to fix things. But it comes with conditions: never again do we talk about what happened. No checking my phone, no sly remarks, no tears. We just move on, like it all never happened.
And what about trust? she met his gaze, refusing to look away.
Trust is a luxury you cant afford right now, Tom smiled coldly. You want stabilityIm here. Grace needs her dadIm here. This house needs an anchoryouve got one.
Its yours, for the price of your silence. Not a bad deal.
And if I dont agree?
Tom placed the glass down deliberately.
Then tomorrow youre packing your suitcase. I mean it, Emma. Im done with all this.
I need someone steady behind menot a wife whos always resentful. If you cant forgive and forget, then its over.
And Ill take everything I legally can. Youll only have yourself and your pride to blame.
He left. Emma sat in the dark, listening to the water hammer against the bath. She knew it was bullying, nothing but crude blackmail.
Any so-called strong woman would throw her glass at his head and stride out into the night. But she wasnt strong
She was a mother first. She had to think of her daughter. Everyone made mistakessurely one misstep could be forgiven, for Graces sake.
Mum? came a sleepy whisper from the hallway.
Emma wiped her eyes quickly and turned. Grace lingered in the doorway.
Mum, I had a bad dream. Wheres Daddy?
Daddys here, sweetheart, Emma scooped her up, holding her tight. Daddys in the shower, he hasnt gone anywhere. Come hereits alright. Were all here.
Really? Grace pressed her nose into Emmas neck. Well always be together?
Emma squeezed her eyes shut, feeling her heart splintering.
Always, love. Always.
Carrying her daughter back to bed, Emma made up her mind: shed keep the family together, whatever the cost. Tomorrow, shed do her best to forget. But that was something for tomorrowBut Emma barely slept that night, haunted by the look in Graces trusting eyes and Toms threats echoing through her mind. She watched the moon through the curtains, the wine glass untouched on the table, and somewhere between midnight and dawn, a spark slowly warmed inside her. Not ragesomething quieter, steadier. Resolve.
At breakfast, Grace chattered about lions at the zoo. Tom lounged at the table, whistling as he buttered toast. There was no warmth between them, only performance for Grace, but Emma smiled anyway. It was for her, after all. Only for her.
After school drop-off, Emma sat in her car, the city waking up around her. She thought about that tiny, battered spark within her, how it refused to die. Emma realized that silence wasnt her only currency, and fear wasnt the only answer. All this time, she had been negotiating with a bullywith the father of her child, yes, but also with someone who had already decided she was powerless.
But she wasnt, not entirely.
She dialed a solicitor. Not one Tom recommended, but one whispered to her by a colleague with gentle persistence. Dont stay stuck, the woman had urged, pressing a business card into Emmas palm weeks ago.
Tears trembled as Emma spoke to the woman, but her voice was clear by the end.
Later, she picked up Grace, the little girls hand warm in hers. As they waited at the zebra crossing, Emma knelt down so they were level.
You know what, sweetheart? she said quietly, brushing hair from Graces face. Sometimes Mummy gets scared too. But we always find a way. Thats what lionesses do.
Grace grinned up at her, proud.
That night, there was no wine waiting for Tom. When he barked for a clean shirt, Emma replied, Its in the basket. You know where the iron is. When he snapped, she simply turned away, her whole bearing changedstrangely light, as if a chain had slipped loose.
Tom barely noticed the difference, too busy with his own reflection.
But Emma did. She tucked Grace into bed, smoothing her hair, and whispered, Sleep tight, my brave girl.
Tomorrow would be another ordinary morning. But somewhere between pancakes and schoolbags, a family would start to break apartand the world wouldnt end. Emma finally understood: Sometimes love for your child meant teaching her that even lionesses refuse to be caged.
And somewhere in the darkness, Emma could almost hear her own heartbeatsteady, still frightened, but free.
