Late Again at Work?
Lately, the workload had increased, making him late more often. Emily tucked the children into bed and went to the kitchen to brew a cup of tea. William still hadnt returned. Recently, hed been overwhelmed at work, coming home later and later.
Emily pitied her husband and tried to shield him from household worries. After all, he was the sole breadwinner. When they married, they agreed: she would manage the home and their future children, while William ensured their comfortable life. One after another, three children arrived. Each birth delighted him, and he often joked that he wouldnt stop there.
But Emily was exhaustedendless nappies, tantrums, and sleepless nights wore her down. She decided it was time to pause expanding the family.
William returned well past midnight, slightly cheerful. When she asked why he was so late, he shrugged.
“Long day at the office, love. We all needed to unwind a bit.”
“My poor dear!” Emily smiled faintly. “Let me fix you a plate.”
“Dont bother. We had steakruined my appetite. Ill just head to bed.”
Mothers Day was approaching. Emily arranged for her mum to watch the children while she visited the shopping centre. She wanted to make the day special: a romantic dinner, just the two of them. Her mother happily agreed.
Besides groceries and gifts, Emily decided to buy something for herself. She hadnt indulged in agesit felt wrong to take Williams money for clothes, and she rarely went out anyway. Her last purchase had been a housecoat, hardly suitable for the evening she had planned. She browsed a boutique, selecting a few dresses to try on.
As she fastened the second dress, a familiar voice drifted from the next changing room.
“Mmm, Id love to take this off you already!”
A womans bright laughter followed.
“Patience, you scoundrel! Go pick something for your wife instead!”
“Why bother? Shes knee-deep in nappies. The kids dont care what she wearsjust that theyre fed, changed, and their toys are tidied! Ill get her a blender. Or a bread makerlet her rejoice!”
Emily froze, as if doused in ice water. Moving quietly, she mechanically continued trying on dresses, straining to hear more.
“If she asks where you spent so much, just say the blender and bread maker cost extra!” the woman giggled.
“And why should I justify spending my own money? Im the one working while she lounges at home! I give her an allowanceshe should be grateful!”
The voices faded as they left the cubicle. Peeking out, Emily saw William at the till with a blonde, kissing her boldly in front of the cashier.
“Everything alright?” The shop assistants voice snapped her back.
“Yes, fine!” Emily handed over the dresses. “Ill take them all.”
At home, after her mother left and the children napped, Emily sat thinking. Betrayal wasnt the worst of itit was his utter dismissal of her efforts.
She wanted to demand a divorce, but reality stopped her.
“If I leave, hell move in with that woman, and Ill have nothing. Child support? Pennies. How will we live?”
By evening, she had a plan. William didnt come home late that nightlikely having had his fill of affection elsewhere. All love for him had vanished; he was a stranger now. The only discomfort was the thought of his touch, which she could no longer bear.
The next morning, Emily drafted a CV and sent it to agencies and firms. Days passed with her checking emails obsessively. Finally, an interview invitation arrivedfrom Williams company. She hesitated but went.
After two hours with the hiring panel, she was offered a flexible role with modest payenough to support herself and the children.
She floated home. Her mother, seeing her joy, pressed for details.
“Mum, Williams cheating!” Emily blurted happily. When her shocked mother demanded an explanation, she recounted the changing room incident.
“And what will you do?”
“Divorce him! Ive got this jobonce the kids are in nursery, Ill work full-time!”
“I wont stop you,” her mother said firmly. “A man who disrespects you doesnt deserve you. Ill help with the children.”
“Thank you!” Emily hugged her tightly.
Days later, William arrived late again. Emily ignored his excuses.
At breakfast the next morning, he presented her with a gifta bread maker.
“To make your life easier, darling!” He leaned in for a kiss, but she recoiled.
“I have a gift for you too.”
She led him to the hallway, pointing at two packed suitcases.
“Were divorcing. No need to hide your affairs anymore.”
His shock turned to anger. “Jealous, are you? Shes everything youre notbeautiful, passionate, cared for! Youve let yourself go, buried in nappies, living off me! And how dare you question my spending? Its my money!”
Emily remained calm. “Im not jealous. Just leave.”
The next day, she filed for divorce and full child support. A week later, her mother-in-law banged on the door, shrieking.
“Gold-digging trash! Youve driven him out and now youre milking him dry! Drop the support demandhe owes you nothing!”
“He owes his children,” Emily shot back. “If his mistress cant handle it, thats his problem.”
“What will you do without his money? You popped out kids to leech off him forever! But youll starve! Hell slash his salary, and youll get pennies!”
“Not possible,” Emily said, pointing to the door. “Leave before I call the police.”
Months passed. The children settled into nursery, and soon after, Emily began full-time work.
One day, a familiar voice interrupted her.
“Hello. Can we talk?”
“Busy, William,” she replied without looking up.
“Lunch, then?”
She met his eyestired, worn. Shed heard the blonde left him when she learned half his wages would go to his family. But Emily felt nothing.
“No, William. Were done.”
**Lesson:** Self-respect is priceless. Never stay where youre undervaluedstrength comes from choosing your worth.
