“Didnt want to marrymum made me,”
“Tom, can you look after Harry?” called Emily from the hallway, adjusting her scarf in the mirror. “Ill be back by six. Dont forget his lunchits all ready in the fridge, just needs heating.”
Saturday had turned chaotica last-minute crisis at work, and her manager begged her to come in. No one else could handle it. Emily agreed without hesitation. Her job wasnt just about the payit made her feel needed.
Five-year-old Harry was quietly playing with his toy cars in his room, making engine noises as he pushed them around. A normal weekend morning. Shed already checked her bag, found her keys, when Thomas stepped out of the bedroom.
“No,” he said flatly.
Emily froze, her hand on the door. She turned, staring at him.
“What?”
“Im not babysitting today,” Thomas repeated, brushing past her to grab his coat. “Ive got plans.”
Emily couldnt believe it. Six years of marriage, and not once had he refused to watch their son. Thomas had always been a doting fatheror so she thought. She stood there, stunned, as he slipped on his shoes and walked out without another word.
The door clicked shut behind him. Emily gripped her bag strap, her chest tight. She had to be at work in an hour. An hour! Frantic, she dialled her mum.
“Mum, pleaseI need help. Can you come watch Harry?”
Thankfully, her mum didnt ask questions.
Emily did the mathsher mum wouldnt make it in time. She rushed next door to Mrs. Thompson, the elderly neighbour whod helped before.
“Mrs. Thompson, pleasejust half an hour till my mum gets here. Work emergency.”
Mrs. Thompson sighed but agreed. Emily quickly explained to Harry, then dashed out. The whole commute, her mind raced. What just happened? Had they fought and she hadnt noticed? She wracked her brainlast night, theyd eaten dinner, watched telly, even chatted about their week. Nothing seemed off.
At work, she moved on autopilot, her thoughts stuck on Thomas. She texted him
*Where are you?*
*Whats going on?*
No reply.
That evening, she thanked her mum and sent her home.
“Wheres Tom?” her mum asked.
“I dont know,” Emily admitted.
The flat was too quiet. She checked on Harry, fast asleep, hugging his teddy. So small. So innocent. She kissed his forehead and slipped out.
Thomas came back two hours later, calm as ever. Emily, now showered and in her pyjamas, blocked his path.
“What was that?”
He barely glanced up from his phone. “Im done pretending.”
Her pulse pounded. “Pretending what?”
“This. Us. The marriage. The kid.”
She sank into the armchair. “Youre joking.”
Thomas shrugged. “I never wanted to marry you, Em. Mum pushed me. Said you were good wife material. I stuck it out six years. Im done.”
Emily laughed, sharp and bitter. “How noble of you.”
“You should be grateful!” he snapped. “I never cheated. I played the part.”
“Grateful? *You* proposed! *You* said you loved me!”
His face twisted. “Mum pressured me! Said Id regret letting you go. Well, I regret this. I wanted a different life.”
Emilys voice turned icy. “And Harry? Was he a mistake too?”
Thomas flinched. “I didnt mean”
“Get out.”
“What?”
“Take your things and leave. For good.”
He expected tears, begging. Not this.
When the door shut behind him, Emily crumpled onto the bed and sobbed into her pillow until dawn.
Then, exhausted, she sat up.
Harry needed her.
And shed be damned if she let him down.
