“Oh my gosh, my dress! Can you believe I actually threw it in there?”
Emily flung open the bin, her face as pale as a sheet. Shed been asking herself the same question every single daywhat on earth had she seen in Darren?
To the outside world, he was nothing specialnot exactly a prince charming. Her friends wouldve been embarrassed if shed introduced him, which is why they still thought she was single. The only person who knew they lived together was her sister, whod kept the secret.
Darren wasnt exactly a knight in shining armour either. He worked as a welder in a metal factory.
Sometimes, while mindlessly watching telly, Emily found herself thinking it was time to end things with him. But every time she got close to doing it, hed bring home flowers or some little gift, and shed put it offagain and again.
Before they met, Darren had already been married. The marriage lasted barely two months, but his ex-wife ended up pregnant, and they had a daughter together. When Emily met him, the girl was already twelve. Shed never made any effort to get to know heruntil now.
The chance came just before Emilys birthday party, which shed planned with her friends.
“Em,” Darren said hesitantly, “my ex is going away for work. Shes asked me to take Lily for a bit.”
“How long?” Emily frowned, not thrilled about this unexpected “gift” right before her birthday.
“A month.”
“A whole month? Why so long?” she snapped. “I hope she realises kids cost money?”
“She didnt send anything,” Darren shrugged.
“You pay child support, dont you? So well have her for a month while her mum enjoys the cash?”
“Not much to enjoy, honestly. You know what I earn,” he chuckled weakly.
“And wheres she supposed to sleep?” Emilys voice rose, realising she didnt want this strangers kid in their flat for that long. “She needs school runs, looking afterwhy did you even agree?”
“Im her dad,” Darren said, baffled. “Was I supposed to say no?”
“You dont live alone, for one. Two, this is *my* flatyou shouldve asked me first. Three, its *my* birthday, and I dont want anything ruining it!”
“I dont see how Lily would ruin anything,” he muttered defensively.
“I *know* this wont go well,” Emily crossed her arms.
But Darren tried to convince her to give it a chance.
The next day, a round-faced girl with heavy makeuplooking at least sixteenwalked into the flat. She barely glanced at Emily before turning to Darren.
“Wheres my room?”
“Youll sleep in the kitchen,” he said with an awkward smile.
Lily rolled her eyes and stormed off to the bathroom in tears.
“What was *that*?” Emily hissed. “Rude, spoiled little brat. Good thing I decided to celebrate at a restaurant. Oh, and youre not coming.”
“Why not?” Darren blinked. “I thought youd finally introduce me to your friends. Weve been together over six months!”
“Youre staying with *her*,” Emily said flatly, relieved she wouldnt have to explain Darren to her friends, who all had fit, stylish boyfriends.
“Right,” he said quietly, and they didnt speak again.
The next day, Emily focused on prepping for her party. She smoothed out her cocktail dress and hung it up for the evening. Darren stayed silentnot even wishing her a happy birthday.
She ignored it, refusing to let him ruin her mood.
After work, she came back to changeonly to freeze in horror. Her dress was *gone*.
“Wheres my *dress*?!” She stormed into the kitchen, where Lily was sprawled on the fold-out bed, glued to her phone.
The girl didnt even look up.
“Can you *hear* me?” Emily snatched the phone from her hands.
“Give it *back*!” Lily shrieked. Darren rushed in.
“Whats going on?” His voice was sharp. “Hand it over!”
“Wheres. My. Dress?” Emilys grip tightened.
“I didnt take anything,” Lily smirked. “Shes just making stuff up because she hates me!”
“Give her the phone, *now*,” Darren ordered.
“Fine, lets see her admit it then!” Emily hurled the phone to the floor. The screen cracked, and Lily burst into fake sobs. Emily marched out, needing to find something else to wear.
She threw on the first decent outfit she found and rushed out to her partywhere she made up her mind. She was *done* with Darren.
Emily stumbled home early the next morning. Darren sat up as she walked in.
“Have you seen the time?”
“Trying to act tough? Too late. Im ending this,” Emily said coldly. “Youre both out by morning.”
“*Youre* blaming *me*?” She scoffed.
“You broke Lilys phone”
“She *stole* my dress!” Emily spat.
“My daughter wouldnt take anything!” Darrens face darkened. “I wont let you talk about her like that!”
Emily rolled her eyes and waved him off, done with excuses.
Desperate to calm down, she grabbed a half-finished bottle of wine from the cupboard. She took a swigthen gagged and spat it out.
“What the*shampoo*? Did *I* pour this in here?” She laughed bitterly, yanking open the binthen froze. “Oh look, my dress! Did *I* throw it in here too?”
“You *wanted* an excuse to leave! I know youve been planning it!” Darren snapped. “If not for me, youd have done it ages ago!”
Emilys brows shot up. She remembered *everything* now.
“I bugged the room. Heard *all* your chats with your sister about me. I *know* everything!” Darren said smugly.
“Well, *that* explains how you always knew when I wanted to break up!” She clutched her head, realising how often shed vented to her sister and friends. “Time to say goodbye.”
This time, Darren didnt argue. He knew it was over.
