I gathered my things and left peacefully, Lila finished, tapping the send button on her phone.
Your affairs dont concern me, Victor, she said, her voice flat. Its clear enough already. Pack up your £500 and go wherever you likeback to your ex, to your new fling, wherever.
What do you mean go? And what about Kieran?
You remembered Kieran? Lila scoffed. You should have thought of him earlier, when you were running around instead of helping with the kids. Not now, when you start bringing him up at the last minute.
Hey, Lila, why so glum? a voice called from the front door.
Simons brother had opened the door to their family home.
Simon had come back from his holiday two days ago, and the shrieks of a toddler ringing through the flat suggested hed already caused a proper ruckus.
Aunt Lila, hello! shouted Emily, Simons eightyearold daughter, rushing into the hallway to see who had arrived.
The cries continued unabated.
Hello, Em. Whos yelling now? Lila asked, eyeing the source of the noise.
Oh, thats just Poppy and Milo fighting over toys. Theyre tiny, you know, the girl sighed dramatically, clasping her hands over her chest. Did you bring any treats?
Sure did, but Grandma will hand them over later. First soup, then sweetsremember the rule.
I remember, I remember. You cant forget with you lot, Emily sighed again and disappeared back into the living room.
The shouting finally died down, meaning the twinsPoppy and Milohad settled on who would play with what without crushing each other.
Whats wrong with you? Simon asked, having watched the exchange in silence.
I dont know, Lila sighed, setting her handbag on the coffee table and slipping off her shoes. I think Victor is cheating on me. He says Im paranoid and need therapy, but
Come to the kitchen and tell me everything.
Lila nodded, stripped down to her socks, and padded into the small kitchen. Simon turned on the kettle while his younger sister, Amelia, perched at the table and began a story.
There wasnt much to tell. Shed met Victor five years ago.
In his previous marriage he hadnt been able to have children, and after he and Valerie split they stayed friends. That friendship, as the months went by, only tightened the knot around Lilas nerves.
Hes texting her right before bed, you know? I lie there, the baby sleeping in the next room, and hes chatting with her.
Whenever I saw him, hed dash off to greet her, even if we were together, Lila continued. Lately hes staying late at work. I complain its hard to look after the child alone, that an extra pair of hands would help, and he just mutters about his reports.
And now hes blaming me, saying its tough because the childs at nursery all day while Im just at home.
Hold onhows that home if youre also working, just from the sofa?
You have to explain that. Remote work is seen as you doing nothing, sitting at home, getting paid for it.
It doesnt matter that I grind eight hours a day, just not commuting, Lila said, sighing.
Did you ever try monitoring him? Look at his phone, see who hes talking toex or anyone else.
What! Thats invasive, not normal at all. Lila shivered. What if Im just imagining things? How would that look?
Actually, what does a conversation with an ex look like when theres nothing going on? a voice behind her said.
It was Julia, Victors wife, who had been listening to most of Lilas complaints. She placed a phone on the table, screen showing an open chat.
Whats this?
A chat with Emilys father, Paul. Read it.
Theres nothing but three short messages about when hell pick Emily up, what hell buy her, and when hell bring her back.
Its not true. Theres also a Mothers Day card lying around, and my own birthday greeting to him, Julia retorted, feigning outrage. Notice, Paul and I also split on good terms.
We have a joint daughter, and hes actively involved, not just paying child support.
If I were texting Paul instead of Victor before bed, Id probably already have divorce papers.
Youre rightif youd snooped, youd see theres nothing to hide.
What if there truly is nothing? How would I look? Do you understand?
What if it wrecks our marriage and Im just paranoid?
Oh dear, here we go again, Simon muttered, covering his face with his hand.
I have an idea, Julia said after a pause.
Whats that?
Victor keeps saying work keeps him late. Why not go to his boss and ask how long this will continue?
Not as a complaint, but as a pity pleaI barely see my husband because hes always working, Ive got to take Kieran to the dentist, I cant get a dentist appointment because he disappears after work
Watch his reaction. If his job really is demanding, he might let him leave early once in a while. If theres no real workload, another story emerges.
Lila found the suggestion sensible and decided to act. She knew Victors boss, Mr. Harold Whitfield, from seeing him around town.
Approaching him wasnt hard. He greeted her with a smile, and she replied with a quick, rehearsed line.
Honestly, Mr. Whitfield, Victor stays at the office well past five, leaving no time for family life. Im stuck here with the kids, and even a dentist appointment is impossible.
The man raised an eyebrow. Who keeps him there so long?
My husband says hes busy, but he actually leaves early sometimes, claiming he needs to help me at home.
I see. Harold said. Give me his number; Ill have a word with him.
Lila called Victor, keeping her tone casual.
Hey love, what time are you getting home tonight?
Maybe Ill leave early, take Kieran to the park while you tidy up.
Lila, Im swamped with a big project. Sevamy managerhas me working nonstop. I cant even think about a park right now.
Seva threatened to fire me if I kept nagging for special treatment.
What? He threatened you? Sevaactually Simons nickname for his bosssnapped. Your problems dont matter to me. Ill sort you out tomorrow.
Fine, Ill sort you out, Lila replied.
They hung up. Victor didnt return that night, only appearing the next morning.
You know what, Victor? he began. Im done.
I dont care about your excuses, Victor. Its all clear now. Pack your £500 and go whereverex, new love, wherever.
What does go mean? And what about Kieran?
You remembered Kieran? You should have thought of him earlier, when you were running around instead of helping with the child, not now, when you bring him up at the last minute.
But I
I gathered my things and left in peace, but on Lila finished, her voice steady.
Later that afternoon her motherinlaw called, not to mediate but to share news of a pregnancyValeries, the woman Victor once split as friends with.
Guess what? Im happy it turned out that way. Valerie always liked me, and you, and your poorlybehaved son Lila cut the call short.
From that moment she cared little for Victor, his ex, or any of their drama. Only she and her son mattered; everyone else was just a page to be turned and forgotten, as if theyd never existed.
Three years later, when Kieran finally started school, those pages tried to turn themselves again, reminding Lila that the past never truly disappears.
Yet she had learned that chasing shadows only wastes the present, and that peace comes from focusing on what truly mattersfamily, honesty, and the courage to let go.
