**Diary Entry 3rd May**
I still cant believe how things have turned out.
“Oliver, are you sure youve packed everything? Should I double-check?” I called, pausing outside the bathroom door.
“Emily, leave it! Ive got it alla whole suitcase. You saw me pack,” he replied over the sound of the shower. But his voice it wavered. Or was I imagining it?
“I saw the suitcase. Not what you stuffed inside,” I muttered, stepping away.
“Emily, make me a coffee, will you? Black. No sugar,” he added calmly as the water shut off.
I wandered into the kitchen, silent, filling the kettle, scooping ground coffee into the pot, adding a pinch of saltjust how he liked it. We have a coffee machine, but Oliver prefers the way I brew it. “Youre so thoughtful,” hed said just last night when he came home late and found his dinner wrapped in a tea towel, keeping warmlike my gran used to do.
Lately, hed been staying later and laterwork, supposedly. Career things. Preparing for a promotion. And me? I stood by, motionless. Cooking, ironing, enduring.
“Absolute heaven, this coffee,” Oliver said as he walked in, pushing damp hair from his forehead. He reached for the mug, stirring in a spoon of sugar.
“Emily, a deliverys coming todaynew car seat covers. Can you take it? Cash on delivery,” he said, barely looking up.
“Sure. As always,” I replied, sitting across from him.
“This business trip couldnt have come at a worse time,” he sighed. “But I cant back out. You understandits a chance, maybe the only one. Department head. Big deal.”
“Yeah Didnt realise youd have to travel for that.”
“Bosss call. Anyway, Ive got half an hour leftneed to finish something on my phone.”
He stood, leaving his mug behind as he walked out. Fine. Hes stressedcant blame him.
I reached for his cup when my phone buzzeda message. I opened it.
*Emily, Olivers lying. Its not a business trip. Hes flying to Italy with Jessica Taylor. Stop him before its too late. Hes ruining everything.*
His younger sister, Sophie.
Something snapped in my head. Him with Jessica? It couldnt be true. A joke? But Sophie wouldnt lie. Not about this.
The room blurred. The air thickened like cement. I could barely breathe. Gulping water, I slumped back into the chair.
I wanted to scream. Smash something. But all I could think was, *Why?*
My fists clenched. I nearly stormed in, tore the mask off his face. But I didnt. He didnt deserve the drama.
Let him go. Ill surprise himnot with an argument, but with action.
I opened the banking app. Our joint account£42,000. And yet, hed been quicker: £10,000 missing. *My* money. My freelance projects, my late nights. And hed wasted it on a holiday with his ex.
I knew about Jessica. Oliver had mentioned her, and Sophie brought her up once. School sweetheart, total snob. Dumped him twiceonce for an older guy, then for some “up-and-comer.” Now shes back, and hes falling for it. And lying.
At least he couldve been honest: *Emily, I love someone else. Im sorry.* It wouldve hurt, but not like this. Instead? Sneaking around. Withdrawing money, spinning tales about work, packing his bags
Fine. Ill empty the rest. Today. Every last penny. Thendivorce. His things? Courier to his parents.
I checked my calendaran important presentation tomorrow. If it goes well, Ill take time off. Not Italy. Maybe Portugal. Somewhere hes never been.
“Emily, Im heading off. Best leave early,” Oliver said, stepping in, perfectly dressed, tie and all.
“Bye. Safe trip,” I forced out, gripping the mug.
“Whats with the tone?”
“Your imagination.”
“Ill miss you”
“Doubt youll have time.”
“Arent you walking me out?”
“Rather wash up.”
“Fine. Off I go, then.”
“Goodbye.”
The door slammed. He had no idea hed just walked out for good. Tomorrow, Ill change the locks.
I sank into a chair, sobbingbitter, humiliated tears. Traitor.
Another message from Sophie: *Emily, how are you holding up?*
I wiped my face and called her.
“Sophie, whered you hear this?”
“Jessicas friend spilled. Shes latched onto Oliver again. Hes falling for it. Emily, Im so sorry”
“Thanks for warning me. I didnt stop him. Let him go.”
“Hes an idiot. Shell dump him a third time.”
“His choice. Sophie, dont tell him I know.”
“Wouldnt dream of it. Sick of his nonsense!”
“Thanks. Lets stay in touch. Even after the divorce.”
“Always. Stay strong.”
I reopened the banking app. Another £3,500 gone. Nowait. I took a breath. Transfer the rest to my mum. *My* account. Hes lost the right.
“Mum, Im sending £38,500. Hes already taken his share.”
“Whats happened, love?”
“Were divorcing. Hes flying to Italy with his fling.”
“Oh, love Stay strong. Were here. Thisll pass. Youll find someone who deserves you.”
“No, Mum. Im not looking. Maybe Ill just have a baby. Alone. And be done with it.”
“Well if thats what you want. Auntie Margarets got that nephewlovely lad”
“Mum, not now.”
“Alright. Just dont give up, love.”
I hung up, pulling myself together. Tomorrows a new day. Olivers gone, but Im still here. Whole. Honest. And my lifes still mineno lies, no betrayal. Just me.
