James had been caring for his ailing mother while his wife worked. But one day, she saw him buying flowers for another woman.
Emily couldnt remember the last time shed felt so rested. Her business trip had been delayed by a few hours, and without a word to anyone, she switched off her phone and stretched out on the bed. Just that morning, shed returned from the countryside, where shed spent two days without a moments pausewashing, cleaning, cookingall under the constant criticism of her mother-in-law and her husband.
According to her mother-in-law, Emily had trapped James, didnt earn enough, and somehow, despite her wages, they were all starvingJames, his mother, and herself. James always sided with his mum, saying Emily could easily find extra work since she finished early and didnt even have to cook.
“Look how she mops the floor,” his mother tutted. “Takes her hours when she could be doing the laundry instead.”
Emily snapped back that if they cleaned even once a week, the place wouldnt be so filthy. She shouldve kept quietthe lecture that followed was relentless. Shutting her eyes, she calmly suggested, “I told you both beforewe could move to London. James and I could look after you there, and he wouldnt have to quit his job.”
James flew into a rage, jabbing a finger at her. “So Im supposed to kill myself working, then come home and play nurse? Youve got a heart of stone.”
Emily didnt wait for more. She walked out, slamming the door behind her, and sank onto the bench by the gate.
“Em, whats wrong?” Her neighbour, Sarah, stood before her. Only after wiping her tears did Emily recognise her. Theyd met before the wedding, and Emily had liked her instantly.
“Hi, Sarah,” she sighed.
“Family giving you grief again?”
“Dont even ask.”
“None of my business, but why do you put up with it? Hes always there, yet you dont really live together. Whats in it for you?”
“We didnt choose this, Sarah. We cant just abandon his mum when shes like this. Once shes better, James can come back to the city.”
Sarah smirked. “Shed outrun Usain Bolt if it meant bossing you around. I reckon shes faking. You used to have fire in youwhat happened?”
“Dunno. Just” Emily shrugged. “Drop by if you want.”
When her phone rang, it was her bossher trip was pushed to noon. Relief washed over her. The extra pay was welcome, and it meant a break from Jamess endless calls.
Telling them about the trip lightened the mood. The evening passed quietly, though they slept in separate bedsJames didnt want to upset his mum. Emily didnt argue. Exhausted, she fell asleep fast.
At 2 a.m., her mother-in-laws voice cut through the dark. “Are you deaf? Ive been calling!”
Blinking, still half-asleep, Emily mumbled, “Mustve been out cold. Whats wrong?”
“Get me my pills.”
Emily glanced at the distancefar longer for her to walk than for James or even his mother. But she got up. She only managed two hours sleep before her 6:30 alarm. By the time she reached London, she was wrecked. Hearing her trip was delayed again, she nearly cheered. Switching off her phone, she collapsed onto the bed. Now, finally, she felt fresh.
She even had time to do her makeup before heading to the station. It didnt matter that her destination had changedthe rest was what counted.
An hour earlier, her expenses had been paid, but for once, she didnt transfer the money to James. She wasnt sure why. Shed already given most of her last paycheck, and this time, she kept it.
With twenty minutes until her train, she popped into a café for water. Hurrying past a flower stall, she frozeJames was there, buying a bouquet. Disbelief hit her. Wasnt his mother too ill to be left alone? Yet here he was, flowers in hand.
She watched, a sinking feeling growing. What if they werent for her? The doubt took root. Nine minutes till departureticket clenched, she tailed him, saw him hail a cab. She flagged one down. “Follow that car. Ill double your fare.”
The driver, intrigued, agreed. Through the window, she saw James embrace and kiss another woman, handing her the bouquet before she got into a car. Emilys stomach lurched. The driver smirked. “Might not be what you think.”
Only then did she notice himtoo polished for a cabbie.
Shed never ridden in such a sleek car. Maybe hed hit hard times, she thought. As they turned into her street, her heart droppedJames and the stranger were entering her building. Tears welled. So while she was away, and his “sick” mother was in the village, he brought someone to her flat?
“Going in?” The driver gave her a sympathetic look.
“No point,” she muttered.
“Smart. Youve missed your train anyway. Where to?”
She named a town 200 miles away.
“Nonsense. Coffee first, then Ill drive you,” he offered.
“I cant afford that.”
“Who said anything about a taxi? Just dropped my dad at the stationhe visits my aunt every summer. Then you jumped in.”
“Sorry.” Shame burned as tears fell.
“Better stop that, or youll flood the car,” he said firmly.
Half an hour later, they stood by the river, coffees in hand, watching the sunset. The view was stunning, her troubles fading.
“Like it?” asked the driverAlex.
“Amazing. Lived here years and never knew this spot.”
“I come here often. Found it after my wife cheated,” he admitted.
Emily gaped. He laughed. “Yeah, thought the samehow could anyone cheat on me?”
She flushedexactly what shed been thinking. Studying him, she realised he was her age, handsome, with an easy confidence.
Two days later, James called as she packed for another trip.
“Hi, James. Whats up?”
“Em, are you joking? Wheres the transfer? They paid you, right?”
“They did. Its for the trip.”
“So youre not sending it?”
“Exactly. Not the expenses, not my wages. And by the way, get your things out of my flat. Rememberits mine, from my parents.”
Silence. Then a sigh. “Are you serious? How am I supposed to live?”
“Simple. Get a job, like every other man.”
“How? Mums ill!”
“Not ill enough for you to leave her for hours, buying flowers for other women on my money, taking them to my flat.”
She hung up, cutting off his excuses. For the first time, she saw how naive shed been.
She and Alex had swapped numbers, messaging goodnights, little updates.
On her next trip, James ambushed her at the door.
“What are you doing here?”
He grabbed her wrist. “We need to talk.”
“No, James. Were done.”
“Wrong,” he sneered. “You think youll walk away that easy? So I stepped out a few timesIm a man, Ive got needs.”
“You really think I care?”
He yanked her closer. “Stop this nonsense. Whod want you? Come home and apologise. Youve worried me enough.”
She twisted free. “Im not going anywhere with you.”
He grabbed her again, fabric ripping at her sleeve.
“Youre coming. Youll calm down and see its nothing. Men do thiswomen should endure.”
She winced as his fingers dug in. “Let goyoure hurting me.”
Suddenly, he was gone. Alex stood there, tense.
“Em, you okay?”
She blinked. “Yeah. Howd you find me?”
“Didnt want you on that train alone, letting some bloke chat you up.”
James scoffed. “So youve got a boyfriend! Im filing for divorce!”
Emily straightened. “Brilliant.”
James faltered, realising his mistake. She smiled. “Thanks for offering, James. Im busyyou handling the paperwork saves me time. Ill sign whatever.”
As they drove off, Alex chuckled. “Hes still standing there, mouth open.”
“Ex-husband,” she corrected. “Now explain why youre here.”
“You texted your trip details. I came to drive you.”
“Thats 200 miles!”
“Yep.” Braking sharply, he popped the boot, returning with white roses. “Forgot these. This was the plan.”
He handed her the bouquet.
Emily stared at him, then the flowers, and smiled. It was better than shed dreamed
