You know how works been mad lately? Well, Emmas been struggling with it alllate nights, extra stress, the lot. Shed just put the kids to bed and gone to make herself a cuppa when she realised James still wasnt home. Hed been pulling these long shifts for weeks, always coming back late, knackered.
Emma felt for him, she really did. She tried to keep the house running smoothly so he wouldnt have to worry. That was the deal theyd made after the weddingshed look after the home and the kids, hed bring in the money. Three little ones later, James was over the moon, always saying he wanted more.
But Emma? She was exhausted. The nappies, the tantrums, the sleepless nightsit never ended. Shed decided enough was enough; they were stopping at three.
James rolled in past midnight, smelling of beer and takeaway. When she asked why he was so late, he just grinned. “Long day at the office, love. We fancied a quick drink after.”
“Oh, you poor thing,” Emma said, forcing a smile. “Let me fix you something proper to eat.”
“Nah, we had burgers. Ruined my appetite. Just gonna crash.”
With Mothers Day coming up, Emma had plans. She dropped the kids at her mums and headed to the shopping centre. A romantic dinner, just the two of themthats what she wanted. Her mum was happy to have the little ones overnight.
While she was there, Emma figured shed treat herself. Itd been ages since she bought anything niceshe hated asking James for clothes money, and she barely left the house anyway. The last thing shed bought was a tracksuit, hardly dinner-date material. She walked into a boutique, picked out a few dresses, and headed for the changing room.
She was trying on the second dress when she heard a familiar voice from the next cubicle. “God, I cant wait to get you out of that.”
A womans giggle followed. “Patience! Go pick something out for your wife instead.”
“What for? Shes knee-deep in nappies and baby food. The kids dont care what she wearslong as theyre fed and their toys are picked up. Ill get her a blender or a bread maker. Shell be made up!”
Emma froze. She barely made a sound as she mechanically buttoned the dress, listening.
The woman laughed again. “What if she asks where all your moneys going? Blenders dont cost *that* much.”
“And why should I explain myself? Its *my* money. I work, she sits at home wanting for nothing. I give her enough for the houseshe should be grateful!”
The voices moved off toward the till. Emma peeked out just in time to see James at the counter with some blonde, kissing her right there in the shop.
“You alright in there?” the assistant askedEmma had been staring into space for ages.
“Yeah, fine,” she said, handing over the dresses. “Ill take them all.”
Back home, after her mum left and the kids were down for their nap, Emma sat in silence. What now? She never thought James would cheatbut worse, the way he talked about her, like she was nothing.
Part of her wanted to kick him out right then, demand a divorce. But then what? Shed be alone with three kids, no income. Child support? Pennies, probably.
By evening, shed made up her mind. James came home “late from work” again. “Had his fun earlier,” she thought coldly. All her love for him was gone. The only thing that made her uneasy was the idea of him touching hershe couldnt stomach it.
But he didnt even try. Mustve got his fill elsewhere.
The next day, Emma updated her CV and sent it off to every agency in town. Now it was a waiting game. Every morning, she checked her emails. Finallyan interview. At Jamess company, of all places. She debated going but decided, why not?
Her mum watched the kids while she went. Two hours later, the job was hersdecent pay, flexible hours. Enough to keep her and the kids afloat.
She floated home. Her mum took one look at her and started firing off questions.
“Mum, James is cheating!” Emma blurted, grinning. Her mum, convinced shed lost the plot, dragged her to the sofa.
“Emma, what are you on about? James works all the time!”
“Works? Hes off with some woman!” She spilled everything. Her mum listened, then asked, “So whatre you gonna do?”
“Divorce him. And guess what? Ive got a job with flexible hours. Once the kids are all in nursery, Im going full-time.”
“Good for you,” her mum said. “No one gets to treat you like that. And dont worryIll help with the kids.”
Emma hugged her tight.
A week later, James waltzed in late again. Emma didnt even ask. He tried justifying himself”Another late one, love”but she cut him off. “Just go to bed.”
The next morning, over breakfast with the kids, James proudly presented her with a bread maker. “To make life easier, darling!” He went in for a kiss, but Emma stepped back, not even glancing at the gift.
“Ive got a present for you too.”
Confused, he followed her to the hallwaywhere two massive suitcases sat.
“I want a divorce. No more sneaking around.”
His face dropped. “Howd you find out?”
“Changing rooms. While you were picking out gifts for your blonde. And keep the bread makershe can have it.”
James exploded. “What, jealous Ive got someone else? Someone who actually takes care of herself? Youre buried in kids, living off me! And dont you dare tell me how to spend my money! Youre just a gold-digging cow!”
“Not jealous,” Emma said calmly. “Now get out.”
The divorce papers went in the next day. A week later, her mother-in-law hammered on the door.
“You money-grabbing witch! Kicking him out, then bleeding him dry? Drop the child supporthe doesnt owe you a thing!”
“Hes paying for *his* kidsthe ones *he* wanted,” Emma shot back. “If his girlfriends unhappy, thats his problem. Hes their father as much as Im their mother!”
“Whatll you do without his money? Had all these kids just to leech off him, didnt you? Well, it wont work! Hell get his salary slashedyoull get peanuts!”
“Try me,” Emma said, pointing at the door. “Get out before I call the police.”
Months later, the kids were all in nursery. Emma started full-time work. One day, a familiar voice piped up by her desk.
“Hi. Fancy a chat?”
“Busy, James,” she said, not looking up.
“Lunch, then?”
She finally glanced at him. He looked roughtired, frayed. Rumor had it his girlfriend dumped him the second she found out half his wages were going to child support. Emma couldnt care less.
“No, James. Were done.”
