Late again from work? The workload had grown heavier lately, and he was often delayed.
Emily tucked the children into bed and went to the kitchen to brew a cup of tea. William still hadnt returned. Hed been swamped at work for weeks, staying late more often than not. She pitied him, shielding him from household worriesafter all, he was the sole breadwinner. Theyd agreed after the wedding: shed tend to the home and their future children, while he ensured their comfort. Three children arrived, one after the other, each birth filling him with joy. Hed even said he didnt want to stop there.
But Emily was exhaustedendless nappies, mushy meals, sleepless nights. She decided it was time to pause.
William returned well past midnight, slightly tipsy. When she asked why he was so late, he grinned.
“Long day, love. We all needed to unwind.”
“My poor darling,” Emily smiled softly. “Come, let me fix you something to eat.”
“Dont bother. We grabbed some kebabsruined my appetite. Best turn in.”
Mothers Day approached. Emily asked her mum to mind the children while she visited the shopping centre. She wanted the evening to be specialjust the two of them, a romantic dinner. Her mother agreed to take the kids overnight.
Besides groceries and gifts, Emily decided to treat herself. She hadnt bought anything for herself in agesit felt shameful to take Williams money for clothes, and there was never time to shop anyway. Her last purchase had been a tracksuit, hardly fitting for the occasion. She wandered into a boutique, selected a few dresses, and stepped into a changing room.
As she tried on the second dress, a familiar voice carried from the next booth.
“Mmm, Id rather take this off you now!”
A womans bright laughter followed.
“Patience, you brute! Go pick something for your wife instead!”
“Whats she need it for? Shes drowning in nappies. The kids dont care what she wearsas long as theyre fed, changed, and their toys are tidied! Maybe Ill get her a blender. Or a bread makershell love that!”
A cold wave washed over Emily. Moving silently, she mechanically fastened the dress, listening.
“And if she asks where you spent so much?” the woman giggled. “A blender and bread maker dont cost that much”
“Why should I explain where I spend MY money? Im the one working while she sits at home wanting for nothing! I give her an allowanceshe should be grateful!”
The voices faded as they finished. Emily peeked outher beloved William stood at the till with a blonde, kissing her full on the lips while paying for their haul.
“Everything alright?” The shop assistants voice snapped her back. Shed been staring blankly for too long.
“Yes, fine!” She pulled the curtain shut and handed over the dresses. “Ill take them all.”
At home, after her mother left and the children napped, Emily weighed her options. Betrayal wasnt what stunned herit was how little he valued her.
She wanted to demand a divorcebut forced herself to think.
“Leave him, and what? Hell move in with that woman, leaving me with three children and no income. Child support? Pennies. How would we live?”
By evening, shed made her choice. William arrived home on time that nightno “late meetings.” “Mustve had his fill already,” Emily thought, numb. All affection for him had vanished. He was a stranger now. The only discomfort? Knowing he might want intimacy she could no longer give.
But he didnt approach herlikely satisfied elsewhere.
The next day, she polished her CV and sent it to agencies. All that remained was waiting. Each morning began with checking her emails. Finally, the reply camean interview at one of the citys firms. The very one where William worked.
She debated going but decided it was worth it.
With her mother watching the children, Emily attended the interview. After two hours, she was offered a flexible rolemodest pay at first, but enough to support herself and the kids.
She floated home. Her mother, seeing her elated, pressed for answers.
“Mum, Williams cheating!” Emily blurted joyfully. Her mother, fearing a breakdown, guided her to the sofa.
“Emily, love, how could he? He works all day!”
“Not workhis mistress!” She spilled everything from the changing room.
Her mother sighed. “What will you do?”
“Divorce him! AndIve got a job! Once the kids are in nursery, Ill work full-time.”
“I wont stop you. Cheatings unforgivable. And he doesnt respect you. But Ill help with the children.”
“Thank you, Mum.” Emily hugged her tightly.
On the seventh, William returned late again. Emily didnt ask. Puzzled by her indifference, he started explainingshe cut him off, sending him to bed.
The next morning, as she fed the children breakfast, William proudly presented her gifta bread maker.
“To make your life easier!” He leaned in for a kiss, but she recoiled, ignoring the box.
“Ive a gift for you too.”
Confused, he followed her to the hallway, where two large suitcases waited.
“Im divorcing you. No more sneaking around.”
“How did you?”
“The changing room. Shopping for your blonde. Keep the bread makerI dont need it.”
Cornered, William snarled.
“Jealous? Shes beautiful, passionatenot like you! Youve let yourself go! Buried in kids, living off me! And you dare police my spending? Its MY money! Youre just a greedy fool!”
“Im not jealous,” Emily said calmly. “Leave.”
The next day, she filed for divorce and child support. A week later, her mother-in-law banged on the door, shrieking before greetings.
“Money-grubbing trash! Kicking him out, then milking him! Drop the claimhe owes you nothing!”
“He pays for his childrenthe ones he wanted!” Emily shot back. “If his mistress cant handle it, thats his problem! Hes their father too!”
“Whatll you do without his money? Popped out kids, thinking youd ride his back forever? Hell slash his salaryyoull get nothing! Youll starve!”
“Not possible.” Emily pointed to the door. “Get out before I call the police.”
Cursing, the woman left.
Months passed. The children started nursery one by one. When the youngest enrolled, Emily began full-time work.
“Hello.” A familiar voice sounded by her desk. “Can we talk?”
“Sorry, William. Im busy,” she answered without looking up.
“Lunch, then?” He persisted.
Emily lifted her gaze. He looked weary, worn. She knew the blonde had dumped him when she learned half his wages went to child support. But she felt nothing.
“No, William. We wont talk. We wont have lunch.”
