His wife packed her things and vanished without a trace.
“Stop acting as if youre some kind of saint. Itll all blow over. Women are quick to forgive, you knowshell shout and then settle down,” George had said, years ago. “The important thing is, we got what we wanted. Weve got a son; the family line carries on.”
Diana had stayed quiet.
“George,” she whispered, leaning in, “a week ago you told me you took care of Olivias pregnancy. What did you mean by that?”
George placed his fork down, leaning back in his chair.
“Exactly what it sounds like. She kept me on tenterhooks for five years. Not ready, her career, lets wait a bit longer. When, though? Im thirty-two, DiI wanted an heir, a proper family, like normal people.”
“So, I switched her pills,” he said.
Diana stared at him, stunned.
“Did you tell her? When?”
“The day she left,” George muttered. “She started screaming, so I told her straight outget used to it, darling, you wanted this, I just gave you a nudge. Thought shed calm down, realise theres no way out. But shewell, shes a strange one. Grabbed her bag and stormed off.”
***
On the kitchen table, beside a stack of unwashed bottles, lay her brothers forgotten hairbrush. Diana looked at it, irritation simmering within her. Why must he always make a mess?
The baby had finally quieted in the nursery, but the relief was hollowa matter of an hour, two at most, before it all began again.
Adjusting her dressing gown, Diana put on the kettle. Just a month before, she and George had collected Olivia from the maternity ward. George had beamed, bustling about with towering bouquets for the nurses, while Olivia
Olivia seemed to be walking the plank, not going home.
Diana had put it down to exhaustionfirst baby, topsy-turvy hormones, the usual. She should have realised something was wrong.
The front door bangedGeorge home from work. He wandered into the kitchen loosening his tie and headed straight for the fridge.
“Anything to eat?” he asked, eyes never leaving the fridge.
“Macaroni in the saucepan. I boiled some sausages, too. Hes only just gone to sleep, George. Keep it down, would you?”
George snorted as he grabbed a plate. “Im done in, Di. On my feet all day. Clients have run me ragged.”
“And hows the fledgling?”
“That fledgling is your son,” Diana set the mug on the table, a little harder than she meant. “His name is Arthur. He screamed for three hours straightbad tummy.”
“You cope,” George shrugged, unmoved. “Youre a woman, its in your blood. Mum managed with us two when Dad was away for work.”
Diana bit her lip. She wanted to throw the plate at him.
She was living here, she reminded herself, only until she could clear her debts and reclaim her art studio. Yet, in two short weeks, shed become a free nanny, cook, and cleaning lady, while George carried on as if nothing was amissas if his wife hadnt vanished into thin air.
“Has Olivia called?” Diana watched her brother wolf down his dinner.
George froze mid-bite, his face tightening.
“Doesnt pick up,” he grunted. “Ignores my calls. Imagine, just ditching her own child”
“Shes furious about what you did with her pillsgetting her pregnant behind her back,” Diana said quietly.
“Youre a cad, George,” Diana said, barely above a whisper.
“Excuse me? I did it for the family. I work, I provide! And she walked out on her child! Whos to blame here?”
“You robbed her of her choice,” Diana stood, voice trembling. “You lied to someone you claim to love. How else was she supposed to react? Thank you, darling, for ruining my life?”
“Oh, dont start,” George waved her off. “Shell get over itwhat can she do? The babys here, her things are here. Shell run out of cash and come crawling back. Meanwhile… you will help, wont you? Ive got reports to finish.”
Diana didnt reply. She went to the nursery.
Arthur was asleep, pudgy fists balled tight. Dianas heart ached. On one handthis tiny, innocent bundle; on the otherOlivia, backed into a corner.
She pitied them both.
She picked up her phone, opening the messenger. Olivia had last been online three minutes ago. Diana typed, deleted, and retyped.
“Olivia, its Diana. I wont ask you to come back. I just want to know youre safe. And its hard on me alone. Can we just talk? No arguments.”
The reply came ten minutes later.
“Im at a hotel. Off to another city for work in three days, for three weeks. All planned before I ever knew the rest. When Im backIll file for divorce. Im not abandoning Arthur, Diana. But I cant be there right now. I cant even look at him. I see George in him!”
Diana sighed.
“I understand. Really, I do. George told me everything.”
“And hows he feeling? Proud of himself?”
“Something like that. Hes sure youll return.”
“He can dream. Diana, if it gets too much, tell me. Ill find a way to get a nanny, send you money. But Ill never go back to him. Ever.”
Diana put down her phone, exhaling slowly.
She needed work, needed to sort her debts, get her life backbut she couldnt abandon Arthur to George, who barely knew how to fasten a nappy.
***
The next three days felt endless.
George came home late, ate, and fell into bed. Any plea to help with the baby met only, “Im tired,” or “You know better how to settle him.”
One night, when Arthurs cries became too much, Diana snapped.
She marched into her brothers room and flicked on the light.
“Get up,” she said coldly.
George squinted, pulling the pillow over his head. “Di, leave me alone. Ive got to be up for six.”
“I dont care. Go and rock your son. Hes hungry, and I cant feed himmy hands are shaking from exhaustion.”
“Are you mad?” George scowled, hair rumpled. “Thats why youre here! Im putting a roof over your head and pay the bills!”
“Oh, I see,” Dianas voice cracked. “Im just the help now, am I?”
“Call it what you like,” he grumbled. “Olivia will be back soon, then you can rest. Until thenget on with it.”
Diana left in silence. She spent the rest of the night in the kitchen, rocking the cradle with her foot, thinking how to teach her brother a lesson. George had gone too far.
The next morning, after George left, Diana messaged Olivia.
“We need to talk. In person. While hes at work. Please.”
Olivia agreed.
They met in a small park not far from the house.
Olivia looked dreadfulpale, dark circles under her eyes, thinner by the day. She stood by the pram, staring at her son, her hands trembling.
“Hes grown,” she whispered. “Changed so much in just two weeks”
“He doesnt even recognise you,” Diana spoke gently.
“I know.” Olivia covered her face. “Di, Im not a monster. I must love him, deep downit must be there somewhere. But the idea of living with George, sharing a bed with someone who betrayed me so I can hardly breathe.”
“What if you dont have to?” Diana asked.
Olivia looked at her, wary. “What do you mean?”
“Hes certain you wont go anywhere. He thinks you and the baby are his, as possessions. But lets be honesthes not a father. Hes a project manager for his perfect family. He doesnt get up at night, doesnt measure baby formula. He just needed the status, not the parenting.”
“And what are you suggesting?”
“You leave for your work trip,” Diana spoke firmly. “Work, clear your head. Ill stay here with Arthur for three more weeks and prepare things.”
“Prepare what?”
“The divorce. Custody rights. You dont have to go back to him. Rent a flat. Ill move in and help with Arthur while youre at work. My own finances are looking up. Ive found some remote projects. Well managejust the two of us.”
Olivia eyed her, unsure.
“Youll stand against your own brother?”
“Hes my brother, but what he did was foul. I wont be party to his deceit. He thinks I have nowhere to gothat Im stuck. Hes wrong.”
They sat a while, watching the sunlight dance on the prams hood.
“And him? He wont just hand Arthur over. Therell be hell to pay.”
“There will,” Diana agreed. “But weve got an acehis confession about swapping the pills. If that comes out in court, Ill back you up every step. And Ill tell them about his help at home.”
“He doesnt want the child, Olivia. He just needs control. When he realises Arthurs more effort than he bargained for, hell back off and play tragic father for his mates. Thats easier for him than actual parenting.”
For the first time in ages, Olivia managed a small smile.
“Youve grown up, Diana.”
“I had to,” Diana replied. “So, do we have a plan?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Three weeks flew by. Georges mood soured daily, especially when Diana no longer handed him his plate the moment he got home.
“Whens Olivia back?” he grumbled one night, lobbing his briefcase on the sofa.
“Tomorrow,” Diana replied, hugging Arthur.
“About time. Maybe well have a meal somewhere decentIm sick of your macaroni. I should get her a present so she wont moan. Maybe a ring or earrings. Women love that, eh?”
Diana looked at him with near revulsion.
“Do you really think a ring will fix everything?”
“Look,” George went on, trying to pat her shoulder, but she pulled away. “Stop acting like an angel. Itll all sort itself out. Women cool down eventually. Weve got a sonthe family carries on.”
Diana said nothing.
***
The next morning, Olivia arrived while George was at the office. She never came upstairswaited in the car outside. Diana had already packed the babys things, her own bags, all theyd need.
It took three trips to lug it all down. Arthur slept soundly in his car seat.
Once the last bag was stowed, Diana returned to the flat, placing the keys on the kitchen table, right where Georges hairbrush had been three weeks before. She left a note beside them.
“George, were gone. Dont look for Oliviashell be in touch through her solicitor. Arthur is with her. Im with them. You wanted a family, but forgot its built on trust, not trickery.
Theres macaroni in the fridge. Youll have to manage them yourself now.”
They left.
Olivia rented a modest but cheerful flat on the far side of town. The first days were rough: Arthur fussed in the new place, Olivia kept weeping, and Dianas phone rang endlessly with Georges livid calls and furious texts.
George shouted down the line, threatened to take them to court, swore hed take the child, leave them both penniless.
Diana listened in silence.
They endured.
Eventually, George calmed himself and, quite suddenly, dropped out of their lives.
Divorce was settled through the courts. At the hearing, George never once claimed he wanted to raise Arthur himself.
Diana had been righthe didnt want the hassle. He settled for sending maintenance money and left it at that, never insisting on seeing the child.
And that was how it ended.
