Eleanor, Im not going to beat around the bush. Why are you filing for divorce? Did he cheat on you? What happened?
She stared at the chipped mug in her hands, the steam curling like a ghost around her words. No. He never cheated, never hit me. Hes just greedy. Thats why were ending it.
Greedy enough to call it off?
She sighed, the weight of six months of smiles and broken vows pressing down on her shoulders. From day one he insisted we split every expense down the middle. I thought it was just the wedding, that oneoff thing. He couldnt afford the whole thing himself, so I pitched in. Then he started demanding that I match every pound he spent. My salary is three times his, yet he keeps asking for a penny more, as if Im a bottomless wallet.
She paused, eyes flicking to the window where rain drummed against the glass of their favourite café on Oxford Street. Every night wed sit down and tally the days spendings. Hed ask to see the receipts, like a tax man on a honeymoon. At first I thought he was just trying to keep the postwedding budget in check. But it got worse. He kept a notebookhis little ledgerwhere I had to write down every pound, justify every purchase.
Did he make you apply for grocery vouchers too?
She laughed, a brittle sound. One time he erupted because I bought a pair of shoes without asking. He told me, From now on youll ask before you spend on anything expensive and then report back to me.
Why didnt you walk away sooner?
She swallowed, the memory of a sunbleached beach in Spain flashing in her mind. The worst part was the ruined honeymoon wed planned for Spain. Id saved for months, even borrowed from friends, trusting hed chip in. Then he announced hed covered the wedding costs, so the whole trip was on me. He accused me of being unable to save. Two days ago, out of the blue, he said hed go to Spain himself and foot the bill. I nearly fainted. That night he left with a suitcase, didnt even say goodbye. I started packing my own bags. Yesterday I signed the divorce papers.
She pressed her palm to her throat, as if trying to stop the words from choking her. I supported him fully, but no one needs a man so hungry for control. Its a shame she didnt see it before they said I do. Better to cut the rope now than be dragged down for years. A man like that would never spare his own children.
The rain intensified, each drop a drumbeat echoing the finality of her decision. The camera lingered on her face, a mixture of relief and bruised hope, as the screen faded to black.
