Emily first saw Thomas on a rainy Tuesday in the supply office of a bustling London firm. She had just darted into the HR suite to sign a new directive when his silhouette paused in the doorway. Quite the lad, a fleeting thought whispered, and independentlooking. Rare these days. She lingered to catch a snippet of his conversation. Supply well meet soon enough, she heard herself mutter.
The following morning the stranger strolled into the accounting department, greeting everyone with a warm smile that lingered a beat longer on Emily. A strange tremor rippled through her, and she thought, embarrassed, Look at him weve never seen anyone like him before. Whether anyone had, the tale remains silent, but Emily quickly sensed that Thomas was unlike any of her former suitors.
Thomas always met her gaze directly, gently, attentively. He never rushed, solved problems with an effortless calm, never waiting to be asked yet never imposing. He could disappear like a shadow and appear precisely when she needed him. The impression was indelible; Emily fell completely, irrevocably, for a man who seemed only to exist in the pages of her dreams.
Soon they were sharing a flat, then, within half a year, exchanging vows. When their son was borna spittingimage of ThomasEmily finally understood the shape of true happiness. At night she clung to him, murmuring, You wont vanish, will you? Ive tied you down tight. He kissed her temple and replied, I never planned on leaving.
Emily knew from the start that Thomas had a daughter from a previous marriage. She asked about her, but he kept the details locked away, until one evening he let slip, June, my exwife, vanished from my life years ago. When our girl, Mia, was three, June wouldnt let us speak. Now shes a teenager, but Im not digging up the past. Emily shrugged, If you ever need to find her, Ill stand by you. He nodded; no more questions followedevery person carries a history.
One afternoon Thomas returned home looking oddly distant. He slipped off his coat, drifted to the kitchen, poured water, and simply stood there, glass in hand. Thomas, whats wrong? Emily asked, her voice trembling. He looked guilty, then confessed, I found June online, sent a message, wanted to know how she and Mia were doing. She replied; Mia wants to talk to me. We even spoke on the phone. Emily froze. She had reminded him countless times about Mia, and now this news sliced her throat. Still, she forced a smile, Thats wonderful! Im happy for you. Thomass face brightened; the words were exactly what he needed to hear, and a sudden weight settled over Emilys chest.
The first signs were brief calls. Thomas would slip into the study, close the door, and whisper, Mias shy. Emily, left alone in the kitchen, heard his velvety voice that had once belonged only to her. Then the messages grew longer, the screenshots of a girl shed never met appearing on his screen. Between the lines a sweet, poisonous promise lingered: Were here, were waiting. Each time Thomas vanished with his phone, Emily told herself, Hes just talking to his daughter, not something else. Yet one day, passing the hallway, she heard a nameJune. From that moment her private hell took shape.
She hated herself for the spying, but couldnt stop. She watched his smile flare at a screen, his breath catch as he considered a reply. Betrayal seemed to flicker in every glance, every gesture. She convinced herself that he was leading a double life, and jealousy ignited anew each day. Everything irritated her.
Do you think Im nothing to you? she exploded one evening as Thomas idly scrolled through his phone. Emily, whats happening? he asked, genuine bewilderment in his eyes. Dont play dumb! I see everything! Youre still talking to her! Whoher? he replied, as if the word were foreign. The accusation only fed her fury. Every ringtone felt like an electric shock; every tardy work night an accusation of infidelity. She became a spy in her own home, all because she loved him to the point of selfdestruction, while he remained mute, as if he could not fathom the storm inside her.
Their quarrels multiplied, often over trivialities that ballooned into global crises. Emily shouted that Thomas no longer heard her, that his gaze had turned cold, that her very presence seemed a burden. In her mind a choking thought whispered, If he chooses, theres somewhere else that loves him, waiting.
Once confident in their marriage, Emily now felt the houseonce her sanctuaryturn into a fragile, unsafe shell. At night she lay awake, eyes wide, wondering, What if he decides his past is more important than us? By morning she chastised herself, Were a family. He wouldnt do that. The more she reassured herself, the deeper the fear grew.
One night Thomas left his phone on the kitchen counter to bathe their son. A notification flashedJune. Emilys fingers twitched, her heart tightened, but she didnt open it. The fear of reading its contents had become normal. Why are you so off today? Thomas asked later, after putting the child to sleep. Everythings fine, she replied too quickly. He studied her, a long, understanding stare, then said nothing.
When he finally fell asleep, Emily listened to his steady breath, warm and familiar, and thought perhaps another woman would soon hear it. The thought burned so fiercely she rose, slipped into the kitchen, sat on a stool, clenched her fists, and felt, for the first time, utterly replaceable.
Thomas entered, and she met his eyes with tears. Im scared youll leave one day. He crouched, took her hands, and after a pause asked, Where would I go? She averted her gaze, to them. He fell silent, and the brief, wordless gap felt heavier than any protest, any joke. It was a pause that lingered like a cold wind.
Then came a night that shattered everything. Thomas didnt return, didnt call, his phone vanished beyond any signal. Emily sat in the dark kitchen, replaying endless scenes of a life together, each one dissolving into an icy heart by dawn. She opened her laptop, fingers moving of their own accord, typing to June, to herself, to a void. She wrote and wept, not noticing the tears, scribbling desperation as if clinging to a last reed. She hit send, feeling a strange relief and an emptier void. Her move made; now she waited.
All day she roamed the flat, rehearsing the confrontation, touching objects, mechanically feeding her son, while the waiting gnawed at her. She anticipated his verdict.
He finally appeared, pale and slumped, just before midnight, and sat opposite her without a word. Why did you do that? his voice was hoarse, weary. Emily shivered. What did I do? he asked. I read your letter. You misunderstood everything. No way! she shouted, losing the last crumbs of composure. Explain! Are you going back to them? Old love never rusts, they say! Speak! Dont hide behind that phone! He sighed, June wont answer you, Emily. Ill answer. He promised everything would be fineif she didnt ruin it herself.
She laughed bitterly, How convenient. June died tonight, Thomas exhaled, I was with her until the end. Emilys breath caught, the world stilled, a cold seeped deep. All the jealousy, the poison, the weight collapsed into dust. She died? she whispered, fearing the answer. He nodded. Shed been ill for a long time. She was happy when I showed up, but she never confessed. She wanted only one thingto make sure Mia wasnt alone. He sighed heavily. Now you understand why everything depends on you. If you say no, Ill find a place for Mia. A childrens home? Emilys voice trembled. No. Both Junes and my families have relatives. I hope someone will take her in. I cant decide without you.
Emily sprang up, Dont even think about it! Shell live with us! With us! Thomas froze, closed his eyes for a heartbeat, then opened them, tears streaming. I knew I hoped youd say that, he murmured. She pressed her face to his chest, all lingering fears melting away. Ahead lay a hard road, but Emily felt no longer shackled by dread. She had chosen.
