“Didn’t Want to Marry Mum Made Me”
“Tom, will you look after Billy?” called Emily toward the bedroom as she adjusted her scarf in the mirror. “I’ll be back by six. Dont forget his lunchits all ready in the fridge, just needs heating.”
The Saturday had turned unexpectedly busya crisis at work meant her manager asked her to come in. No one else could handle it. Emily agreed without hesitation. Work gave her more than just moneyit made her feel valued.
Five-year-old Billy was quietly playing with his toy cars in his room. Emily could hear him muttering excitedly, imitating engine sounds. A typical weekend morning. She double-checked her bag for keys when Thomas stepped out.
“No,” he said flatly.
Emily froze, her hand still on the door handle. She turned, staring at her husband in disbelief.
“What?”
“Im not looking after the kid,” Thomas repeated, walking past her to grab his jacket. “Ive got plans today.”
Emily watched him, stunned. Six years of marriage, and nevernot oncehad he refused to care for their son. Thomas had always been a good father, or so she thought. Now he slipped on his shoes and headed for the door without a second glance.
“Tom, I dont understand. Whats going on?” She moved toward him, but he sidestepped her like she was just an obstacle.
“Nothings going on,” he muttered before walking out.
The door clicked shut. Emily stood in the hallway, clutching her bag strap, her chest tight. She had to be at work in an hour. Just one hour! Hands shaking, she dialled her mothers number.
“Mum, Im so sorryI need help. Urgently. Can you come watch Billy?”
Thankfully, her mother didnt ask questions.
Emily did the mathsher mum wouldnt arrive in time. She dashed to her neighbours. Mrs. Wilkins, the elderly woman across the hall, had always helped in a pinch. Emily knocked, pleading as the door opened.
“Mrs. Wilkins, could you possibly watch Billy for half an hour? Mums on her way, but Ive got an emergency at work, and TomTom just left.”
The old woman sighed but agreed. Emily quickly explained to Billy, kissed his head, and rushed out. The whole way to the office, the mornings events felt surreal. What had just happened? Why? Had they argued without her realising? She replayed the last few days. Nothing stood out. Last night, theyd eaten dinner, watched a film, even discussed the week ahead.
At work, she moved through tasks mechanically, her thoughts circling back to Thomas. She tried texting himWhere are you? Whats wrong?but got no reply.
By evening, she hurried her mother home.
“Thank you so much, Mum. I dont know what Id do without you.”
Her mother stroked her hair like she used to when Emily was little.
“Its all right, love. But tell mewheres Tom?”
“I dont know. He left this morning and hasnt come back.”
After her mother left, the silence pressed in. Emily peeked into Billys room. He was asleep, hugging his teddy. So small, so innocent. She kissed his forehead and slipped out.
Thomas returned two hours later, calm as if nothing had happened. Emily, now showered and changed, stood in the doorway as he walked in, barely glancing at her.
“What was that about?” she demanded.
Thomas finally looked at hernot with love, but indifference. The kind strangers gave.
“Im tired of pretending,” he said.
Emilys pulse pounded in her temples. She sank onto the armchair.
“Pretending what?”
“This. The marriage. You. The kid.”
She searched his face for any hint of a joke. There was none.
“What are you saying?”
“Exactly what I said. I never wanted to marry you, Emily. Mum made me. Said you were kind, decentthe sort Id regret losing. I put up with it for six years. But I cant anymore. This marriage is suffocating me.”
Emily blinked back tears. Not now. Not in front of him.
“If you were so miserable, why wait so long?”
Irritation flickered across his face.
“For you. The kids older now. Youll manage. If Id left earlier, itd have been harder. So I waited.”
Emily laugheda sharp, bitter sound.
“How generous of you,” she spat, wiping her eyes.
“You should be grateful!” Thomas snapped. “I never cheated. I stayed faithful. Do you know how hard that was?”
“Grateful?” She stood, trembling. “For what? For not cheating? I didnt drag you to the altar, Tom! You proposed. You got down on one knee. You said you loved me. Or did Mum make you do that too?”
Thomas shot up.
“She pressured me! You dont get it! She said Id regret losing someone like youthat Id never find better.”
“And do you? Regret it?”
“I regret this whole marriage!” He gestured toward Billys room. “I wanted something else. Instead, I got you, the nagging, and a kid I never planned.”
Emilys voice turned icy.
“Billy was a mistake?”
“Thats not what I meant”
“Thats exactly what you meant. You think we ruined your life. So tell mewhy stay? Why not leave when I was pregnant?”
“Because I had to!” Thomas clenched his fists. “Mum said itd shame the family. That people would talk. So I stayed. But Im done.”
Emily exhaled, her chest heavy.
“Get out.”
“What?”
“Leave. Take your things and go. Never come back. Billy and I dont need you.”
Thomas stared, expecting tears, begging. Not this cold dismissal.
“Emily, lets just”
“Go!” she shouted, her voice raw.
Silently, he packed a bag and left. Emily didnt watch him go.
Alone in her room, she buried her face in the pillow and sobbed until dawn. Then, exhausted, she rose, splashed water on her face, and stared at her reflection. Swollen eyes, pale skinbut alive. Shed survive.
For Billy. For herself. The trust was broken, but that didnt matter now. Theyd be all right.
And in the end, she learned this: no one elses expectations should chain you to a life you dont wantbecause the price is paid by everyone.
