So, mate, let me tell you about Edward. Hes been replaying this one month in his head more times than I can count, just wondering whether Susan actually planned to let him goor if she already knew she would leave herself.
After he told her, so calmly, I love someone elseher names Chloe, Susan just looked him in the eye and said, Alright, if thats how it is, go. But give me one thing And honestly, Ed expected absolutely everything: tears, screaming, demandsWhos she?, late night interrogations. But Susan simply added, still gazing at him, Give me thirty days. Stay at home, just like before, as if nothing happened. Like youre still my husband. I wont ask questions, I wont stop you from leaving. But these thirty days are mine. Can you do that?
Ed actually felt relievedfinally, an adult woman, a proper split, no drama. He was even flattered that she wasnt clinging.
Of course, I can, he said, thinking it was going to be easy.
And those thirty days started.
Susan didnt ask anything. No checking his phone, no fishing for names, no lets have a talk. She was, really, just as hed once fallen for: gentle, calm, with that Ive made some meatballs, theyre still warm, pressing her hand on his shoulder as he came in.
He started bringing her flowersout of the blue. Maybe guilt, maybe Chloe nagging, Are you trying to break her on purpose? So he hid his guilt behind bouquets.
Susan would take the flowers, look at them almost like she was trying to remember, not him per se, but the home, the atmospherehow it smelled of cinnamon, the way Ed left his shoes in the hallway, the whir of the washing machine, how the light fell across his shirt when he came out of the bedroom.
He found himself, weirdly, not wanting to leave. That other life was exciting, sure, an ego boost. But this was securesolid, worth valuing. But hed said it, I love someone else. He told himself he had to be consistent.
What he didnt know was each night after her shower, Susan sat at her laptopnot on social media, not workwriting what she was taking, what she was leaving, who shed informed.
Then came the morning. He woke up to silencethe kind where theres no radio, no clattering mugs, just an empty hush, the sort you find in a house no ones lived in yet.
Susan? He reached for her side of the bed. Nothing. Blanket perfectly smoothed, like in a hotel. No pyjamas.
He wandered to the kitchen. Spotless. Nothing cooking. Her dressing gown gone. No shoes in the hallway. The handbag she always hungmissing.
He didnt panic right awayjust assumed, Oh, shes gone to her mums early. But then, he saw a folded sheet of A4 on the table. Her handwriting, neat.
At the top, one sentence that genuinely made his spine cold:
Ed, Ive given myself the gift.
He sat, unfolded the note.
And what he read next was what made his hair stand on end.
It wasnt just Im leaving, be happy. It was…a dossier. Ice-cold, but loving, composed with Susans patience. She wrote like she was guiding him, explaining:
You said, I love someone else. I said, Okay, go. But Ed, you didnt realiseit wasnt you leaving me, it was me letting you go. You asked for freedomI gave it. But I needed 30 days to tie up loose ends and deal with your other. So read carefully. Dont rip it up or burn it. Youll need this.
She laid it out, point by point.
1. About the House
The house you live inits mine. My nan left it to me, and we made sure it was in my name right after we married. You dont remember, cause you didnt care back thenyou were head over heels, sure we were forever. For two years, you kept saying, Lets sell and get something bigger. I refusedand now you know why. Yesterday, I submitted the paperworkno property can be sold or transferred without me there. So you and your other arent going anywhere with it.
2. About the Car
The cars yours. Ive signed it overno strings. I dont want you thinking Im leaving you with nothing. Im not being vindictive. Im just closing the chapter.
3. About Your Other
Now this bit really rattled him.
You think I dont know who she is. I do. Chloe. Shes 29. Works in a travel agency, loves the good life. You didnt meet her by chance. She was conveniently at that pub when you were out with your mates. Buttheres more. Ten days ago, I met her. Yes, Ed, I did. She knows youre married. We met for coffee. I said, Since you love my husband, lets get acquainted. She played modest until I told her I knew about your trip to Bath, the hotel on Oxford Road, the bracelet you gave herthen she relaxed. And do you know what she told me? Susan, youre a lovely lady. But Edwards a grown man. He makes his choices. And then: I dont plan to be his wife, or wash his socks. Im happy with him paying my rent and holidays. Keep him, just keep the money coming. I recorded it.
A tiny USB was taped inside the note.
Eds breath caught. Chloe? His Chloe? The one he was leaving gracefully for? To hear her say that?!
He continued reading.
4. Why I asked for the month
Im not mad. I didnt want to nag you or start rows. I needed time to: Meet Chloe and hear her calmly; Transfer back the money youd secretly started sending her from our joint account (Yep, Eda joint account is really for us, not you and your girlfriend); Alert the bank youd try to withdraw our savings; Prep paperwork for divorce so you wouldnt make a fool of yourself; And…remember you as you really were. Not the guilty, flower-giving bloke, but the one who used to joke, eat my scones, and kiss my neck in the mornings. That was my giftto live one last normal month of marriage. Then close the door.
He felt actual fear. All along, he thought he was in controlbeing honest, expecting gratitude. But she had already figured him out.
5. Whats next?
By the time you read this, Ill be heading for my mums place in Winchester. Thats where Ill file for divorce. You dont need to show upits all sorted through my solicitor. Youre left with the car and your own things. The kitchen loan? Yours. Ive transferred itsince you always said, Its my man caveso, pay for it. Shared savings are frozen until we both sign. And by the way: Chloes quitting the travel agency in a month and getting marriednot to you. Shes already got a fiancé. She told me herself. On the USB, youll find the recording. So, Ed, you dont love anotherjust an illusion you were kindly ushered into.
The last paragraph was less icy.
Youre not a bad guy. Just believed you were irresistible. Its a mans flaw. I really did love you. For a long time. But do I love a man whod sell everything we had for a weekend with a pretty skirt? Nope. Soleave. And please, next time you say I love someone else, first find out if she loves you back.
Farewell.
Your former convenient wife,
Susan.
At the end, a note that really set his ears burning:
P.S. If you try to find me or make a scenethe recording with Chloe goes to your boss and mum. Not out of revenge. But so you can see yourself from the outside.
First thing, Ed rushed to his laptop, plugged in the USB. The recording played.
look, Susan, Chloes voice, steady, almost cheerful. Why cling to your Ed? Youre an adult. Hes nice enough, generous. But you know hes got a family. Im not stupidIm not marrying him. I got what I wantednothing more.
If he leaves? Susan asked, calm.
Well, he can go, so what? Hell figure out in six months I wont cook for him. Besides, Ill have a husband by then. I told you alreadymy guys been around. Eds just handy for bills right now.
He thinks he loves you.
Let him! Chloe chuckled. Men need to play the lovesick boy sometimes. As long as the money flows. Dont worry, I wont steal your husband. Im not after him.
Susans voice softened:
If I give him up?
Chloe laughed. Go on, take him back! Hes not my end goalIm after opportunities.
Ed switched it off.
He felt it physically, like someone poured icy water on him. Empty, sticky chest.
Hed left Susan for a woman already planning to marry someone else. Hed come clean to his wife, whod spent a month patching up accounts. Thought he was being grown-up but looked like a naive kid with a thick wallet.
Hed never felt so ashamed.
Only later that evening, Ed understood why Susan called it a gift. He thought he was doing her a favourbeing honest. But shed given herself the giftof time.
In those thirty days, she:
Put their shared money out of his reach;
Confirmed the other was just a taker, not a rival;
Sorted the paperwork for her home and her life;
And, most importantly, said goodbye her own way.
No slammed doors, no flying plates. She left gracefullyso the pain would be his, not hers.
Ed sat on the floor in the hallway. Their hallway. Her house. And finally, after a month, cried. Not because his wife was gonebut because he realised:
Shed always been wiser.
Shed always known.
And she always lovedfor real, not like Chloe, while the money lasts.
He found Chloes number. Rang.
Hey there, Ed, she replied lightly. Bit early, isnt it?
Can we meet? he croaked.
Oh, not tonight,” she said quickly. “Im out with Sam. Told you before. Dont make a scene. You knew Ive got my own life.
With Sam? It stuck in his throat. That…your fiancé?
Kind of, yeah, she shrugged. Ed, lets not drag it out. You helpedthanks. I never promised you anything. Right, Im off.
The call ended.
He stared at the screen.
And that was it.
Hed lost his wife for a woman who saw him as just a payment option.
A week later, a real letter arrived, on paper.
Ed.
Dont look for me.
Im not angry.
Ive simply finished.
If one day you grow enough to love a real personnot an illusionthings will work out for you. Just, next time, dont say I love someone else unless you know what the other says about you, like Chloe said about you to me.
Take care.
S.
He put the letter beside her first note and realisedthe biggest gift Susan ever gave him was showing him himself. The whole lot. No sugar-coating.
And that genuinely made his hair stand upbecause seeing yourself that clearly is scarier than confessing youre in love with someone else.
