Emma sat in the kitchen with her best friend, barely holding back tears. Her hands shook, her thoughts tangled, and her voice cracked.
“Wait… He just packed his things and left?” asked Sophie, her long-time friend, stunned.
“Yes,” Emma rasped. “After twenty years together. Just threw a bag together, said, ‘I’ve fallen for someone else,’ and walked out the door.”
“Maybe you misunderstood? Could it be some midlife crisis?” Sophie ventured uncertainly.
“Soph, listen to yourself! What misunderstanding?! He left. No tears, no drama, no explanation. As if our twenty years meant nothing.”
Emma buried her face in her hands. Fresh tears welled up. She had never felt so hollow, so betrayed.
“Do the kids know?” Sophie asked carefully.
“No… Lily and Jack are at summer camp. I just put them on the train three days ago. They’ll be back in two weeks… And I have no idea how to tell them.”
“Maybe it’s better they’re not here now. You’ll have time… to gather yourself.”
“Gather myself? After this? He was my whole life…” Emma whispered, gripping her head. “How didn’t I see this coming? How?”
A heavy silence fell before Sophie suddenly suggested,
“Let’s get back at him. The proper way.”
“What?” Emma looked up, bewildered. “How?”
“Simple. Tonight, we set you up on a date. A stranger. You’re beautiful, smart, put-together. You’ve got a house, a job, amazing kids. Any man would be lucky. Let’s show him you’re not just the ex-wife—you’re the woman everyone dreams of.”
“I don’t know… I still love him.”
“Does he love you? Enough to walk out for someone else?” Sophie squeezed her hand. “Come on. You’ve got nothing to lose. Just a night out.”
Doubt gnawed at Emma, but she finally nodded. An hour later, they were swiping through a dating app. That evening, Sophie dropped her off at the restaurant with a wink and drove away.
Emma stepped inside, nerves twisting her stomach. Table 13. Someone was already seated.
“Sorry I’m late, traffic… Daniel?”
“Emma?” The man stood abruptly. “No way! What are the odds?”
It was her old colleague, the one she’d worked alongside for five years. After he left the company, they’d lost touch, but there had always been something unspoken between them.
“Fate, I guess,” Emma smiled, sitting down.
The conversation flowed effortlessly—office memories, mutual friends, silly mishaps. Laughter, warmth, ease—it all returned as if no time had passed. Then Daniel suddenly asked,
“So, what made you join one of these apps?”
Emma froze. At first, she considered lying. But something in his tone pulled the truth from her.
“My husband left me. Yesterday. Just packed up and said he’s in love with someone else. I… don’t know what to do.”
Daniel’s expression softened. He took her hand gently.
“You’re not alone, Em. And honestly? I’m glad it’s you I ran into tonight.”
For the first time in days, Emma didn’t feel abandoned—but seen. Wanted.
Yet Daniel stayed respectful. “Let’s not rush things. I’ll call you a cab. But next weekend? Let’s meet again. Just as friends.”
She woke at home to find Sophie dozing in the armchair.
“You stayed here all night?” Emma mumbled, shielding her eyes from the sun.
“Yep. You’re welcome, by the way,” Sophie yawned. “So? How was the date?”
“I ran into Daniel,” Emma whispered.
“Daniel?! The one who was practically in love with you three years ago?”
Emma nodded. But before she could say more—knocking at the door. Sophie answered, smirking, while Emma’s stomach dropped.
“Em! Someone’s here for you.”
“Who?”
Standing in the doorway… was her husband.
“Emma, love, I’m so sorry… I was stupid, I made a mistake—”
“A mistake? Was it when you took her to Brighton and posted it online? Or when you stayed ‘at a mate’s’ overnight?”
“I never loved her, only you… Think of the kids—”
“Don’t use them!” Emma snapped. “Guess what? Last night, I went on a date. With Daniel. We had a brilliant time. Nothing happened… but I realised something. I don’t need you anymore.”
Her husband paled.
“So, you’re with him now?!”
“Who were you with when you betrayed me? We’re even.”
He stormed out, white-faced. And Emma? She exhaled. Light. Free. As if a weight had lifted.
That evening, she called Daniel.
“Hi. It’s over. For good. Still up for that walk along the Thames?”
“Always, Em. I was waiting for this call.”
They took things slow. No illusions, no rush—just trust and quiet joy. When the kids came home, Daniel met them as an old friend. And piece by piece, it all fell into place. Not perfectly, not easily—but honestly.
Sometimes, breaking apart is the start of something better. Emma learned that. And she’d never let herself be treated as less than she deserved again.
