When James abandoned his wife and children for another woman, he never imagined the harsh lesson fate had in store for him.
The moment he learned his wife, Emily, had given birth to twins, a cold numbness seeped into his bones. Before the pregnancy, they had dreamt of children togetherplanned their future, painted the nursery, imagined laughter filling their home. But the second Emily was wheeled into the delivery room, leaving him with unexpected freedom, doubt gnawed at him. Had they made a mistake?
The first night alone, he wandered the empty house, restless. The next day, he escaped to his favourite cafécooking had never been his strength. Among the scent of fresh pastries and strong coffee, destiny struck.
*Her.*
Charlotte. The woman who stepped through the door like sunlight breaking through storm clouds. Her smile, bright and effortless, sent his pulse racing. By evening, she was in his home. By morning, he questioned everythinghad he ever truly loved Emily? Had they rushed into parenthood?
The shrill ring of the phone shattered the quiet. Charlotte groaned.
“Who calls this early? I barely slept…”
James glanced at the screenthe hospital. He answered tersely.
“Yes. Twins. Two boys.”
“Ugh, nappies, sleepless nights, no life of your own. Why would you even want that?” Charlotte scoffed.
James shrugged. “Honestly? Im not sure anymore.”
That evening, Emily called. He forced cheer into his voice, but she heard the hollowness.
“James… you dont sound happy.”
“Of course I am! Justworks offered me a big promotion, and the kids… Im worried theyll hold me back. But dont worry, Ill figure something out.”
“Figure *what* out?” Her voice trembled.
He hung up, cursing his slip. Time was running outEmily and the babies would be home in a week. He needed a plan.
“Wait,” he blurted. “Theres my grandfathers cottage. Out in the Cotswolds. Bit remote, but decent. Ill send Emily and the boys there. Tell her the country airs best for them, that Ill visit. Shell buy it.”
Charlottes eyes gleamed. “Perfect. Your little wifeys so trusting, shell believe anything. And well finally have our freedom.”
“Maybe not completely, but close enough,” he agreed.
James rehearsed his speech. Emilys face fell when he delivered it.
“James… somethings wrong. How will I manage alone with two babies in the middle of nowhere?”
“Youll manage. Ill visit. Unless you *want* me to lose this promotion?”
She didnt argue. Fear kept her silentfear that hed leave entirely. From the hospital, they drove straight into exile.
The cottage loomed ahead, its roof sagging, ivy choking the walls. Emily gasped.
“James, you cant leave us *here*!”
“I can,” he said flatly. “Be grateful its not the streets.” He dumped their bags inside, avoiding her eyes, then drove off without a goodbye.
Emily stood frozen, clutching her crying sons. Were they supposed to survive this?
James drowned his guilt in excuses. *Plenty of men do worse. At least I gave them a roof.*
But as she rocked her babies on a moth-eaten sofa, Emilys tears fell unchecked. Theyd *die* here.
A gruff voice startled her. “You just gonna sit there? Poor mites are sweating under all those blankets.”
She whirled. An older man stood in the doorway, frowning as he unwrapped the babies.
“Whowho are you?”
“Thomas. Your neighbour. Heard your… *husbands* little send-off. Came to check on you.”
“How *dare* you”
“Save it,” he interrupted. “Feed the boys. Clean up. They cant live like this.”
“Hell come back,” she whispered.
Thomas snorted. “Aye, Ive known his type. Worry about the lads, not him.”
By dusk, the cottage was livable. Thomas returned with food.
“Tomorrow, Ill fetch milk from Mrs. Higgins. Theres an old crib in the loft too. Cheer upno use moping.”
Over weeks, Emily rebuilt her life. Thomas, a retired paediatrician, helped register the boys, secure benefitsthings shed never have managed alone.
Months passed. The twins thrived. One evening, Thomas hesitated.
“Ever thought of tutoring? Village kids could use the help.”
She laughed. “In the middle of nowhere?”
“Nowt wrong with the countryside,” he chided. Soon, pupils arrived while Thomas minded the boys.
Their bond deepened, though neither dared speak ituntil Mrs. Higgins teased them.
“Honestly! The way you two moon over each otherjust marry already!”
“No!” they blurted, flushing.
Alone, Thomas finally confessed.
“Emily… my ex always said I was a failure. Maybe she was right.”
“*Rubbish.* Youve done more for me than anyone. Youre *everything* to us.”
His voice broke. “Then why push me away?”
She looked down. “The boys… theyre not your burden.”
“*Burden?*” He pulled her close. “Theyre *family.*”
Meanwhile, Charlotte hunted the cottage, furious.
“James, you liar! This place is a *wreck!*”
“Emilys thereshed have fixed it”
“No ones *here!*” Charlotte snapped. Then”Wait. There she is. With *him.*”
Jamess blood ran cold. Emily had moved on.
And he? He was stuck with Charlottehis own doing.
As he lit a cigarette, bitterness coated his tongue.
*This isnt a fairy tale.*
For someone, happiness was just beginning.
For him? This was the end.
