Couldn’t Hold Out Any Longer “I’m filing for divorce,” Vera said calmly as she handed her husband a cup of tea. “Actually, I already have.” She said it like it was nothing out of the ordinary, almost as if she were announcing, “chicken with veg for dinner.” “May I ask, why the— Oh, never mind, not in front of the kids,” Arthur lowered his voice when he saw their two anxious faces. “What did I do wrong? Not to mention, the boys need a father.” “You think I won’t find them another one?” Vera rolled her eyes with a dramatic smirk. “What did you do wrong? Everything! I hoped life with you would be a tranquil lake, but it’s more like a raging river.” “Alright boys, finished eating?” Not wanting to continue this discussion in front of the kids, Arthur sent them off to play. “And no eavesdropping!” he shouted after them, knowing his sons all too well. “Now, where were we?” Vera pursed her lips with annoyance. Even now, he was trying to call the shots! Playing the perfect father… “I’m done living like this. I hate spending eight hours a day at work, smiling at colleagues, grovelling to clients… I want to sleep till noon, shop at posh boutiques, go to beauty salons. And you can’t give me that. I gave you the best ten years of my life!” “Can we spare the drama?” Arthur interrupted dryly. “Wasn’t it you, ten years ago, who did everything possible to marry me? I wasn’t exactly desperate to get wed.” “Mistakes happen.” The divorce went through quickly and quietly. Arthur, not without reservations, agreed the boys would stay with their mother but would spend every weekend and holiday with him. Vera happily agreed. Six months later, Arthur introduced the boys to his new wife. Smiling, full-of-life Lucy quickly won their hearts, and soon the boys looked forward to their weekends, much to Vera’s annoyance. What infuriated her even more was that Arthur inherited a sizeable fortune from a distant uncle, bought a large house in the countryside, and was living the good life. He hadn’t quit his job, still paid modest child support—preferring to clothe and equip his sons himself, even micromanaging the child support payments! Why on earth hadn’t she held out just six more months? If only Vera had known… Oh, how differently things would have turned out! But perhaps all isn’t lost? ***** “How about a cuppa? Like the good old days,” Vera smiled suggestively, twirling her long hair. Her short dress showed off her best features, and the carefully applied makeup took years off her face. She’d put in the effort—she looked flawless! “I haven’t got time,” Arthur replied, barely glancing at his ex-wife. “Are the boys ready?” “They’re still looking for something, they’ll be another ten minutes at least, I’m sure,” Vera said, trying again. “Maybe we could celebrate New Year’s together? Nick and Josh spent ages decorating the tree.” “We agreed at court—holidays are mine. This year, we’re off to our favourite snowy village—skiing, sledging, Lucy’s arranged everything.” “But… That’s a family holiday…” “And we’ll celebrate—as a family. If you complain, I’ll go for full custody.” As the door shut behind Arthur and their joyful boys, Vera shattered the expensive set of cups from their wedding in a rage. Lucy—always Lucy! Pretending to be delighted to see the boys, but surely counting down the minutes until they left? Vera, of all people, knew how boisterous her sons could be. But that was an idea… Vera smiled slyly. It wasn’t over yet. Soon all of Arthur’s money would be in her sole possession… ***** “And what’s this?” Arthur asked, raising an eyebrow at the suitcases by the door. “What do you think? The boys’ things,” Vera nudged a bulging suitcase. “You’ve sorted your personal life, so now it’s my turn. Not every man will take on someone else’s kids, so it’s time the boys lived with you. I’ve told social services, just need to make it official. That’s your job, though—I’m off for a well-earned getaway with a promising new chap.” Leaving Arthur speechless, Vera marched toward her waiting car. How long would that “perfect” Lucy last, she wondered—one week? Two? Surely two weeks, max. Arthur would have to choose between his kids and his new wife. He’d pick his sons and come running back to her. With all the money in tow… Two weeks passed. A month. Two. No call demanding he take the boys back. Judging by the boys’ stories, Lucy hadn’t even raised her voice! How could that be? Had these two little terrors suddenly become angels? Impossible! “So, how are the boys? Not too much trouble?” Vera couldn’t contain herself and rang her ex-husband. “They’re wonderful, well-behaved, helpful,” Arthur’s tone warmed instantly at the mention of the boys. “Couldn’t ask for better sons.” “Really?” Vera was incredulous. “With me, they were always up to mischief…” “That’s because children need attention,” Arthur replied dismissively. “But you were always glued to your phone. Also, just so you’re aware—we’re moving. I’ll bring the boys to see you during the holidays if you want.” “But… They’re my children, too!” “You signed all rights over to me,” he laughed openly. “Some mother you are!” Vera was left tearing her hair out. The husband (or rather, the money) not returned. The new lover not working out. And now even her children would be far away. Not that she’d miss them much—she rather liked having all her free time to herself. After ten years of patience, to drop out of the race just six months before the finish line… So unfair…

Didnt Have the Patience

Im filing for divorce, Sarah said calmly as she handed her husband his mug of tea. Actually, I already have.

It came out so matter-of-factly, like she was casually mentioning tonights dinner. Something along the lines of, Were having roast chicken and veggies.

Can I ask why the Uh, actually, never mind, not in front of the kids, James muttered, lowering his voice as he spotted the anxious faces of their two little boys. What did I do wrong? And Im not even mentioning that kids need their dad.

You think I cant find another dad for them? Sarah rolled her eyes and gave a sharp little laugh. What did you do wrong? Everything! I thought life with you would be a calm lakenot a raging river!

Right, boys, have you finished your dinner? James didnt want to keep talking about this in front of the children. Go on, off you go, go and play. And no eavesdropping! he called after them, knowing all too well how cheeky his sons could be. Now, we can carry on.

Sarah pressed her lips together in annoyance. Even now, he still had to act like hes in charge! Playing father of the year and all that

Im tired of this life. I dont want to spend eight hours a day at work, smiling at colleagues, putting on a show for clients… I want to lie in bed till noon, go shopping at Harrods, get pampered in salons. And you cant give me that. Enough! Ive given you the best ten years of my life

Can you drop the melodrama? James interrupted her coolly. Wasnt it you who, ten years ago, made all the effort to land me in the first place? I wasnt exactly dying to tie the knot.

Mistakes happennobodys perfect.

The divorce was quick and quiet. In the end, Jamesreluctantlyagreed the boys would stay with their mum, as long as he had them every weekend and for school holidays. Sarah agreed without fuss.

Six months later, James introduced the boys to his new wife. Cheerful and warm-hearted Emily instantly won them over, and they started counting down the days to the weekends, much to their mothers utter irritation.

What annoyed Sarah even more was that James had inherited a tidy sum from some distant uncle, bought a big house in the country, and was living the life. Though, funnily enough, he never quit his jobhe pays small child support but prefers to dress the boys from top to toe himself and spoil them with the latest gadgets. And he keeps a tight eye on every last child support penny too!

Why didnt she just wait half a year? If only Sarah had known it would turn out this way Shed do things so differently!

But maybe its not over yet?

*************************

How about a cup of tea? Like the good old days, Sarah said, giving him a flirty smile and twirling a long strand of hair around her finger. The short dress showed off her best features, and her spot-on makeup took a few years off her face Shed really gone to effort and looked a million dollars!

Ive not got time, James replied, giving his ex-wife a blank look. Are the boys ready?

They cant find something, theyll be at least another ten minutes, you know what theyre like, Sarah said, disappointed but still trying. Maybe we could see in the New Year together? Charlie and George spent ages decorating the tree.

We agreed in court, Sarahholidays are mine. Were spending it in a lovely little village. Lots of snow, and Emilys booked us all in for sledging and skiing.

But thats supposed to be a family celebration

And well celebrate itas a family. If you kick up a fuss, Ill take you to court for custody.

As soon as the door closed behind her ex-husband and their cheerful boys, Sarah furiously smashed the expensive dinner set from their wedding. Emily! Its always Emily! She acts all delighted to see the boys, but shes probably counting the days til they go back home. If anyone knows what a handful they are, its Sarah!

Or is it Sarah suddenly smiled slyly to herself. This might just be her chance. Maybe she could still end up with all that money to herself

********************

Whats this? James raised an eyebrow at the suitcases piled up in the hall.

What do you think? Charlies and Georges things, Sarah gave one a shove, nearly toppling it over. Ive decided, seeing as your lifes all sorted now, its time for me to move on. You know, not every mans keen to take on someone elses kids, so now the boys are going to live with you. Ive already told social services, just need to finish the paperwork. Thats on youIm off on holiday with someone rather promising.

Sarah walked out, leaving a gobsmacked James staring after her as she got into a waiting car. Lets see how long that saintly Emily can cope. A week? Maybe two? Probably two. And Jamesfaced with choosing between his wife and his boyswell, hed pick his sons and come crawling back to her. And the money would tag along, naturally

A fortnight passed. Then a month. Then two. No phone call demanding he take the boys back. And from what the boys said, Emily hadnt raised her voice at them once! How? Had those two little devils actually turned into angels overnight? Impossible!

So, how are the boys? Fed up with them yet? Sarah finally caved and rang James.

Theyre brilliant, no trouble at all, really helpful, James said, and his voice actually warmed up talking about the boys. Honestly, theyre golden!

Oh really? Sarah asked in disbelief. They were always up to something with me

Thats because youve got to actually bother with your kids, James snorted. You were glued to your phone all day. Anywayjust so you knowwere moving. If you want to see the boys, Ill bring them up for the hols.

But Theyre my sons too!

And you signed away all your rights, James laughed. Some mother you are.

Sarah was left stewing. She didnt get her husband back (well, his money), things with her new chap didnt work out, and now even the boys were off somewhere far away. To be honest though, she wasnt all that botheredshed really taken to spending all her spare time on herself.

Honestlyten years of patience, only to fall right at the finish line, just half a year from an easy, comfortable life.

Its just not fairBut life, it seemed, had a strange sense of humor. Sarah soon discovered that her glamorous days of freedom tasted hollow. Shop assistants smiled at her only until her credit card maxed out. Friends who once envied her single and thriving stories slowly slipped away, pulled by their own families and responsibilities. Parties grew stale, her reflection in expensive shop windows began to look tired, and treating herself lost its shine.

Meanwhile, across the miles, photos trickled onto social mediatwo laughing boys, faces streaked with snow, standing arm-in-arm with a glowing Emily and a relaxed, younger-looking James. They built treehouses, held family barbecues, ran muddy races, and posted silly videos full of inside jokes. With each post, Sarah felt the window growing smaller, until finally, she realized: she wasn’t looking at her lost life, but at a world shed never bothered to build in the first place.

That winter, while sipping a lonely glass of wine, she scrolled through an album labeled Home at Last. Charlie had written a caption beneath a picture of him and George sprawled out in flannel pajamas, Emily squeezed between them, the three radiant with laughter: Best family ever.

Sarah stared at the screen for a long while. Strangely, she didnt feel angry or jealous anymoreonly something softer, almost gentle, like a light drizzle washing over her. Maybe this was freedom too: realizing the storms we run from are sometimes the homes were searching for.

Sarah shut her phone, exhaled, and let the silence settle. This time, she didnt smash anything at all.