**Diary Entry March 10th**
He didnt show up at home again. Lately, his workload had increased, so hed been coming back late more often. Emily put the children to bed and went to the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea. Simon still wasnt home. These days, he was always buried in work, returning long after dark.
She pitied him, really. She tried to shield him from household worriesafter all, he was the sole breadwinner. After their wedding, theyd agreed: shed take care of the home and the children, while Simon would provide. One after another, three little ones arrived, each birth filling him with joy. Hed even joked they shouldnt stop there.
But Emily was exhaustedendless nappies, baby food, sleepless nights. She decided it was time to pause.
Simon came home well past midnight. She could tell he was in high spirits. When she asked why he was so late, he grinned.
“Em, weve all been working non-stopneeded to let off steam a bit.”
“My poor love,” she smiled faintly. “Come on, Ill fix you something to eat.”
“Dont bother. We grabbed some takeawayruined my appetite. Ill just turn in.”
Mothers Day was approaching. Emily asked her mum to watch the children while she went to the shopping centre. She wanted to make it speciala romantic dinner, just the two of them. Her mum happily agreed to take the kids.
Besides groceries and gifts, Emily decided to treat herself. It had been ages since shed bought anything for herselfshe hated asking Simon for money for clothes, and there was hardly anywhere to wear them anyway. The last thing shed bought was a tracksuit, hardly suitable for the evening she had planned. She headed into a boutique, picked out a few dresses, and stepped into a changing room.
As she slipped into the second dress, she heard a familiar voice next door.
“Mmm, wish I could take this off you already!”
A womans laughter rang out.
“Patience! Go pick something out for your *wife* instead.”
“Why bother? Shes drowning in nappies and school runs. The kids dont care what she wearsas long as theyre fed and their toys are picked up! Maybe Ill get her a blender. Or a bread makershell love that!”
Emily froze. She forced herself to stay quiet, mechanically trying on dresses while the voices continued.
“If she asks where you spent all that money,” the woman giggled, “a blender and bread maker dont cost *that* much.”
“Why should I explain where *my* money goes? Im the one working! She sits at home with everything handed to her. I give her an allowance for the houseshe should be grateful!”
The voices faded as they left. Emily peeked outthere he was, at the till with a blonde, kissing her right there in the shop.
“Everything alright in there?” The sales assistants voice snapped her back.
“Yes, fine!” She handed over the dresses. “Ill take them all.”
At home, after her mum left and the children were asleep, Emily sat in silence. What now? Shed never expected betrayalnot just the affair, but the way he dismissed her, belittled her.
She wanted to scream, demand a divorcebut then what? Alone with three children, scraping by on whatever pittance hed pay in child support?
By evening, shed made up her mind. Simon didnt come home late that night”mustve had his fill earlier,” she thought coldly. Every trace of love for him had vanished. The only thing that unsettled her was the thought of him wanting intimacy. She couldnt bear it.
But he didnt even trylikely satisfied by his mistress.
The next day, she polished her CV and sent it out. Every morning after that, she checked her emails. Finallyan interview. At Simons company, no less. She hesitated, then went anyway.
Two hours later, she walked out with an offera good position, flexible hours. The pay wasnt much at first, but enough to support herself and the children.
She floated home. Her mum, seeing her glowing, asked what had happened.
“Mum, Simons cheating on me!” Emily blurted, almost giddy. Her mother grabbed her hand, thinking shed lost her mind.
“Emily, what nonsense! He works all day”
“No, hes off with some woman!” She spilled everything. Her mum listened, then asked quietly, “What will you do?”
“Im divorcing him. And Ive got a jobflexible hours. Once all three are in nursery, Ill go full-time.”
“I wont stop you. No one should tolerate that. And *his* attitude? Disgusting. Ill help with the kids.”
“Thank you.” Emily hugged her tightly.
On March 7th, Simon came home late again. Emily ignored him.
“Em, we had to work late”
“Just go to bed.”
The next morning, as she fed the children breakfast, Simon presented her with a bread maker.
“Darling, to make life easier!” He leaned in for a kissshe recoiled.
“Ive got something for you too.”
Confused, he followed her to the hallway. Two suitcases sat by the door.
“Were done. No more sneaking around.”
“How did you?”
“The changing room. And take that bread maker to your blondeI dont need it.”
Caught, he lashed out.
“Youre jealous, arent you? Shes beautiful, passionatenot like you! You let yourself go! You live off *my* money! Youve got no right to question how I spend it! Greedy cow!”
“Im not jealous,” she said calmly. “Leave.”
The next day, she filed for divorce and child support. A week later, her mother-in-law banged on the door.
“Gold-digging leech! Kicked him out, now milking him for money? Drop the claim!”
“He pays for *his* children,” Emily shot back. “If it cuts into his mistress fund, thats *his* problem.”
“Whatll you do without him? Youll starve!”
“Actually, no.” She pointed at the door. “Get out before I call the police.”
Months passed. The children started nursery one by one. When the youngest finally enrolled, Emily switched to full-time work.
One day, a familiar voice interrupted her.
“Hi. Can we talk?”
“Busy, Simon,” she said without looking up.
“Lunch, then?”
She finally met his eyes. He looked worn out. Rumor had it his mistress had dumped him when she learned half his wages went to child support. Emily felt nothing.
“No, Simon. We wont talk. And we wont have lunch.”
