Your affairs dont concern me, Victor, Laura snapped, her voice steady. Its clear enough. Pack up your stuff and get out, whether you head back to your ex or stay with your new life.
What do you mean get out? And what about Kevin? Victor asked, his brow furrowing.
You just remembered Kevin? Funny you should have thought of him sooner. Instead of helping around the house or looking after the kids, youd rather be out sprinting around, and now you bring up Kevin at the last minute.
Hey, Laura, why the long face? shouted his brother, Mark, as he opened the front door of the family home.
Steve had arrived on holiday two days earlier and, judging by the childrens shouts echoing from the upstairs flat, had already managed to stir up a ruckusin the best possible sense.
Hi Aunt Laura! cried Steves daughter, Olivia, darting into the hall to see who had turned up.
The shouting continued unabated.
Oi, Olivia dear, whos that yelling over there? Laura asked, trying to keep her tone light.
Oh, thats Paul and Max fighting over toys. Its like watching two fiveyearolds at a playground, the little girl sighed, crossing her arms over her chest. Did you bring any treats?
I did, but Granny will hand them over later. First soup, then sweetsremember the rule.
I do, I do. Youll forget them if Im not careful, Olivia huffed, retreating back to her room.
Soon the noise faded; the twins had finally decided what to play with without crushing each others spirits.
Whats up with you? Steve asked, having watched the exchange in silence.
Im not sure, Laura sighed, setting her handbag on the kitchen table and slipping off her shoes. I think Victors cheating on me. He says Im paranoid and need therapy, but
Come on, lets sit down in the kitchen and you can tell me everything.
Laura nodded, followed Steve into the modest kitchen, and he promptly turned the kettle on while his younger sister took a seat at the table and began to speak.
There wasnt much to recount. She and Victor had gotten together five years ago. In his previous marriage the man was unable to have children; after that he and his exwife Valentina split on good terms, remaining friends.
That friendship, however, kept pulling at Lauras nerves.
Hes constantly texting her right before bed. Im lying there, the baby asleep in the next room, and hes glued to his phone, she complained. If I happen to run into her, he drops everything to say hello. Lately hes staying late at work, so I tell him its hard raising a child alone and I could use an extra pair of hands, but he just mutters about reports.
And now hes blaming me for being tired, saying I should be fine because the kid spends all day at nursery while Im just at home.
Hold onhows that home when you both work, even if yours is remote?
The remotework myth is that you sit at home, do nothing, and still get paid. No one cares that Im putting in eight hours, just without the commute.
Have you tried snooping on his phone, seeing who hes chatting withex, new flame, anyone?
Dont be ridiculous! Laura flinched. Thats crossing a line. And if Im just imagining things, how will that look?
Fine, fine. Do you really think a chat with an ex looks any different when theres nothing between you? a voice behind her said. It was Julia, Victors sister, who had overheard most of Lauras complaints. She placed Victors phone, open to a conversation, on the table.
Whats this?
Its a thread with Olivias father, Vladimir. Have a look.
Laura scanned the screen. Theres nothing here but three messages in a month about where and when hell pick Olivia up, what hell buy her, and when hell bring her back.
Its not true, Julia feigned outrage. Theres a Mothers Day card scattered somewhere, and also my birthday greeting to him. Notice, Vladimir and I also split amicably.
We share a daughter, and hes actively involved in raising her, not just paying child support. If I were texting Vladimir instead of Victor at night, Id already have divorce papers without trying to blame it on paranoia.
And youre rightId have caught him, Victor agreed. But what if theres nothing? How will I look? Could it ruin our marriage and Ill be the paranoid one?
God, shes starting again, Steve muttered, rubbing his forehead.
Julia thought for a moment, then said, I have an idea.
Whats that?
You could ask his boss how long this latenight work will continue. Approach it not as an accusation but as a pleaexplain youre struggling to get a dentist appointment because hes never home, that you had to take Kevin to the doctor alone, that you need a bit of relief.
If his workload really is that heavy, maybe hell get occasional early leave and think of you. If not, youll see a different side of things.
Laura liked the plan. She knew Victors manager, Mr. Whitfield, well; theyd crossed paths in town many times.
She walked into his office without trouble. Whitfield greeted her warmly, and she slipped into a rehearsed line that steered the conversation exactly where she wanted.
Honestly, Mr. Whitfield, Victors been at the office until the witching hour. Ive got no personal life leftjust the kids, the house, and a neverending string of appointments.
What keeps him there so late? Whitfield asked, genuinely surprised.
Victors been leaving early lately, saying he needs to help his wife and pick the kids up from nursery, even taking occasional sick days. I dont mind him doing his job, but is he really being truthful? Could you give me a hint?
She called Victor later, adopting a casual tone. Hey love, what time are you coming home tonight?
Maybe Ill ask for an early finish. Take Kevin to the park while I tidy up here, he replied.
Laura, Ive got a big project on the line. Sevas piled work on me so Im running on fumes. Ive tried to be reasonablewife, kids, but hes indifferent to my problems. He even threatened to fire me if I kept demanding special treatment.
You threatened to fire me? Victor snapped. You think my problems dont matter? Ill sort it out tomorrow
What will you sort out? Laura warned.
He hung up. Victor didnt return that night; he only appeared the next morning.
You know what, Victor? he began. Its simple
I dont care about your excuses, Victor. Its clear now. Pack your bags and get out, whether you head back to your ex or stay with your current life.
What do you mean get out? And Kevin?
You just thought of Kevin? Funny you should have thought of him sooner. When youd rather run around than help with the kids, now you bring Kevin up at the last minute.
But I
I gathered my things and left on good terms, Laura finished, her voice calm.
After lunch, Victors mother callednot to reconcile him with his second wife, but to share the news that his first partner, Valentina, was pregnant. Shed once said theyd split as friends, yet theyd stayed close enough that a pregnancy finally happenedsomething that had once torn their marriage apart.
Do you know what? Im glad it turned out this way. I always liked Valentina, and you and your unruly son Laura cut the call short, hanging up.
In that moment she realized she no longer cared about Victor, his former or future wives, or the tangled drama surrounding them. Only she and her son mattered; everyone else was just a page to be turned and forgotten, as if theyd never existed.
But those pages didnt stay shut. Three years later, when Kevin started school, the past knocked once more.
Through all the turmoil, Laura learned that trusting ones own instincts and setting boundaries is vital. When you respect yourself and protect your peace, you give your children a stable foundationproving that selfworth, not anothers validation, is the true compass for a fulfilled life.
