Emma had barely slept all night. At two in the morning, her husband, James, jabbed her sharply in the side and snapped, “Stop snoringIve had enough!” Though she only snored when lying on her back, he used to gently turn her onto her side. Now, he shoved or kicked her in irritation before falling asleep himself, while Emma, having taken sleeping pills, lay awake until dawn.
They had been married for 27 years. Two years ago, they should have celebrated their silver anniversarybut there was no celebration. James had forgotten the date entirely. At the time, he had been preoccupied with buying a new car, handing down the old one to their son.
The family had been saving for their sons future homehe had a girlfriendbut James and their son decided a car was a wiser investment, reasoning that property prices would rise, and the couple could stay in his old room. No one asked Emma, even though most of the savings were hersshe earned more than James.
After the car purchase, she began stashing money in her own account. James took offence, but she explained, “I dont trust you wont buy a third car. Whats the problem if I keep my own savings?”
“You know I dont earn muchwhat can I even save?” he retorted.
Emma had a university degree. She and her friend Lucy had moved from their small hometown to London to study at the Institute of Education. Both graduated effortlessly, but Lucy only taught for a year before quitting. She trained as a hairdresser, apprenticed under a renowned stylist in Manchester, and opened her own salon.
Emma stayed in teaching longer. During her first year, she met James while leading a school tour at the technical college where he worked as a production supervisor. He was young, tall, charismatic, and quick-witted.
“I never thought such a straightforward job could be made so interesting,” he told her afterward. James was equally charmed by the young teacher, and within six months, they married in a modest ceremonyonly Emmas parents attended.
The newlyweds moved in with Jamess widowed mother, who owned a three-bedroom flat. He was her only son; his father had died young. Later, his mother moved to Cornwall after remarrying, leaving them the flat.
Emmas own mother had drilled into her from childhood that a woman must keep the house immaculate without her husband noticing. Men, she insisted, disliked weekend cleaning sprees, so everything had to be done before James returned.
Emma rose at five, prepared breakfast and dinner, and had lunch at work. She returned home before James to clean, launder, and press clothes. Evenings were spent grading papers. At 24, she had their son, Daniel, and stayed homerelieved to escape the daily commute, though money was tight.
When Lucy visited with gifts for Daniel, Emma borrowed money until Jamess next payday. Lucy offered advice: “Daniels ten months oldcome work evenings at my salon. Ive a brilliant manicurist, Sarah. Learn from her, and I wont charge you rent. James can mind the baby. Open your own studiomanicures pay well. Women always care for their nails.”
Emma trained diligently, later adding pedicures. She rented a small space near home, borrowing tools and supplies from Lucy. Working evenings from 5 to 10, she built a steady clientelewomen preferred after-work appointments. She never returned to teaching.
Life improved. James stayed in his old job. They bought a car, renovated the flat, and holidayed by the seathough Emma only joined them three times. Summers brought more clients, especially for pedicures. James grew more affectionate. “Youre my breadwinner,” hed say. Six years later, their daughter, Sophie, was born.
Emma hired a nanny, working afternoons until 8 p.m. When Daniel started school nearby, he quickly learned to walk home alone. After Sophies birth, years blurredchildren grew, expenses mounted. Emma barely rested, visiting her mother only for funerals or brief stays.
Now, Daniel was 24, Sophie 18. Daniel had a law degree but worked for meagre pay. Sophie studied at a tech college. A year ago, Daniel moved his girlfriend, Grace, into their home. She kept to herself, locking herself in their room after lectures.
One day, Emma realised her once-close family now lived like strangers. Jamess temper flared more often. She stopped asking questions to avoid his anger.
Her loving son stayed behind closed doors with Grace. She never intruded, though once she nearly tidied their room before deciding to let them live as they pleased.
Sophie was no better. Emma scolded her for mess, but Sophie snapped, “Leave me aloneyoure nagging!”
Now, Emma cleaned alone. Sophie left laundry strewn about, refusing even to lift the washing basket lid.
Yesterday, rushing to work, Emma asked Grace to load the dishwasher and wipe the kitchen floor.
“Im not your maid,” Grace retorted, slamming the door.
After Jamess shove, Emma gave up on sleep. At 5 a.m., she made breakfast, peeled potatoes for dinner, bitterness swelling inside. When had she become just a housekeeper? When had they stopped seeing her as a wife and mother?
The family ate breakfast cheerfullyno thanks given. James left first, then Sophie, tossing a blouse on a chair: “I need this tonightwash it quick!”
Grace emerged glamorous; Daniel confronted Emma: “Dont upset Grace. If you hurt her again, I wont see you as my mother.”
Alone, Emma cancelled her appointments, packed her tools, and settled accounts. At home, she stuffed a travel bag with essentials, left a note on the fridge”Dear all, I see you no longer need me as a wife or mother. Tired of being your maid, Im sure youll manage better without me.”then took a taxi to the station.
Her mother gasped at the doorstep. “Emma! How did you know I was ill? I meant to call, but didnt want to bother you.”
“I need to find myself again,” Emma wept, hugging her. “I feel like a beaten horse.”
She half-expected James to beg her back, the children to apologisebut he never called. Sophie rang: “How could you leave? You didnt even wash my blouse! Honestly, were better off.”
Five months later, Emma lived with her motheran only child now frail and often ill. She rented a small room in her hometown, working shorter hours. Earnings were less, but so were expenses. Lucy called often with news and support.
Soon after Emma left, James moved in with a single coworkertheyd been close for years.
Sophie invited her college boyfriend to move in”If Daniel can, why cant I?”living on Jamess insufficient handouts, too proud to ask Emma.
The flat descended into chaosno one cooked or cleaned.
Emma worried but consoled herselfthey were adults who never called.
James had disappointed her; shed been too busy to notice his detachment.
She filed for divorce, heartbroken at 49her family of 27 years gone, her sacrifices unvalued.
The cruelest lesson? She had only herself to blame.
A woman must never rely entirely on her family.
They will walk over her like a doormatand never look back.
