– Here’s the dress! Are you suggesting I tossed it there? – Amelia exclaimed as she opened the rubbish bin, her expression changing rapidly.
Almost every day, Amelia would ask herself the same question, one she couldn’t seem to answer: what did she ever see in Harry?
By all appearances, Harry was quite unremarkable. He was the sort of “prince charming” you’d be embarrassed to introduce to friends, so she kept them thinking she was still single.
Only her sister knew Amelia was living with a man, and she kept it a secret.
Harry was no superstar either; he worked as a mechanic at a steel plant.
Sometimes, as she sat at home watching TV, Amelia found herself thinking it might be time to end things with Harry.
But just as she would decide to do so, he’d show up with a bouquet of flowers or another gift, causing her to delay the breakup indefinitely.
Before meeting Amelia, Harry had been married once. It lasted just two months, and in the meantime, his ex-wife became pregnant and gave birth to a daughter.
When he met Amelia, the girl was twelve. Until recently, Amelia had never met Harry’s daughter and wasn’t eager to.
The opportunity arose right before Amelia’s birthday, which she planned to celebrate with friends.
– Amelia, – Harry said hesitantly, – my ex is off on a trip and asked me to take our daughter…
– For how long? – Amelia grimaced, not wanting such a surprise gift for her birthday.
– A whole month…
– Why so long? – she frowned. – I hope her mother understands that a child isn’t cheap to look after.
– If you’re talking about money, she hasn’t sent any over, – Harry shrugged helplessly.
– As far as I remember, you pay child support. So, the girl will stay with us for a month, yet her mum will enjoy the benefits?
– There’s not much to enjoy, you know my income, – Harry couldn’t help but smile wryly.
– How exactly do you see her staying here? – Amelia was getting increasingly agitated at the thought of having someone else’s child for so long. – She’ll need to go to school, be looked after. Why take on such a burden?
– I’m her father, Jessica, – Harry responded looking puzzled. – You think I should have refused?
– You’re living with someone, that’s number one. Two, it’s my flat, and three, you should have asked first considering my birthday’s coming up. I don’t want anything tarnishing it! – Amelia retorted with an air of finality.
– I doubt my daughter will be a problem, – Harry replied awkwardly, feeling guilty at having upset her.
– I’m sure things won’t go as planned, – Amelia replied, crossing her arms.
Yet Harry assured her things would be fine and not to expect the worst.
The next day, a rosy-cheeked girl with striking makeup arrived at Amelia’s flat. She looked at least sixteen.
She glared at Amelia and turned to Harry without saying hello.
– Where’s my room?
– You’ll have to sleep in the kitchen, – Harry said, managing a strained smile.
The girl rolled her eyes, stormed off to the bathroom, and burst into tears.
– What was that? – Amelia snapped at Harry. – She’s rude and ill-mannered. Luckily, I’ve chosen to celebrate my birthday out at a café. Besides, you’re not coming with me.
– Why? – Harry asked, puzzled. – I thought you’d finally introduce me to your friends. We’ve been living together for over six months.
– You’ll be here with your daughter, – Amelia said quickly, relieved she wouldn’t have to present her not-so-fit partner to her friends, whose husbands and fiancés were sporty and trim.
– Understood, – Harry mumbled, hurt, and said nothing more to her.
Amelia’s birthday began with preparations and worries about the event.
Early in the morning, she ironed her cocktail dress and hung it up, waiting for the evening.
Harry remained silent, not even wishing her a happy birthday.
Determined not to let it affect her mood, she pretended not to notice his grumpiness.
After work, she went home to change and was horrified to find her dress missing.
– Where’s my dress? – Amelia stormed into the kitchen, where Jessica lay nonchalantly on the fold-out bed.
Jessica ignored her, scrolling through her phone aimlessly.
– Can you hear me? – Amelia moved closer and snatched the phone from the girl’s hands.
– Give it back! – Jessica shrieked, which immediately brought Harry rushing in.
– What’s happening? – his eyes widened. – Give her the phone back!
– Where’s my dress? – Amelia asked, gritting her teeth.
– I didn’t take it, – Jessica retorted with narrowed eyes, – She’s making things up. She just doesn’t like me!
– Give the phone back, you heard what she said, – Harry said firmly.
– Of course she’d deny it! – Amelia exclaimed, throwing the phone to the floor.
The screen cracked upon impact, and Jessica broke into prolonged sobs. Amelia walked away proudly, determined to find something suitable to wear to the café.
She grabbed the first outfit that seemed decent, changed, and headed out for her celebration.
There, she managed to unwind and came to the decision to break up with Harry.
Amelia returned early in the morning. Hearing her arrival, Harry rose from bed.
– Did you notice the time?
– Trying to play the strict husband now? You’re too late. I’ve decided it’s over, – Amelia declared briefly. – You’ll have to move out by morning.
– Are you making it my fault now, after everything? – she chuckled.
– You smashed Jessica’s phone…
– She took my dress! – Amelia hissed through clenched teeth.
– My daughter didn’t take it! – Harry’s eyes flared with anger. – I’d bet on it!
Amelia grimaced and waved dismissively, not wanting to hear his excuses.
To calm herself, she delved into the cupboard and pulled out an unfinished bottle of wine.
Taking a sip, she unexpectedly spat it out and made a face.
– Shampoo? Are you going to say I poured it myself? – she laughed bitterly, opening the rubbish bin and stopping short. – Here’s the dress! Are you going to say I tossed it myself?
– You found a reason to dump me! I knew you wanted to for a long time! – Harry blurted. – If it weren’t for me, you’d have done it ages ago!
Amelia raised her eyebrows, recalling those moments vividly.
– I installed a listening device in the room. I heard all your conversations with your sister about me and know everything! – Harry announced pompously.
– That’s news! And here I was, wondering how you always knew I was thinking of leaving! – a stunned Amelia exclaimed, remembering all the talks she’d had with her sister, friends, and parents. – Let’s say our goodbyes.
This time, Harry didn’t try to persuade her to stay. He knew their relationship had reached a natural end.
