John had been caring for his ill mother while his wife worked. But one day, she spotted him buying flowers for another woman.
Emily couldnt remember the last time shed felt this relaxed. Her business trip had been delayed by a few hours, and without explanation, she turned off her phone and stretched out on the bed. Just that morning, shed returned from the countryside, where shed spent two exhausting days cleaning, cooking, and enduring constant criticism from her mother-in-law and husband.
To her mother-in-law, Emily was “neglecting” John, not earning enough, forcing him and his mother to live in hardship. John sided with his mum, claiming Emily could easily take on extra work since she got home early and didnt even have to cook.
“Look how she scrubs the floor,” the older woman tutted. “Spends ages on it when she could be doing the laundry.”
Emily finally snapped backif they bothered to clean even once a week, the place wouldnt be so filthy. She shouldve stayed quiet. The onslaught of complaints only worsened. Closing her eyes, she said calmly, “I offered to move you to the city. John and I could care for you there, and he wouldnt have to quit his job.”
John flew into a rage. “So I should work myself to death and then look after Mum too? Youve got a heart of stone.”
Emily didnt wait for more. She walked out to the bench by the gate.
“Emily, whats wrong?” Her neighbour Lucy stood there. Theyd met before the wedding, and Emily had liked her instantly.
“Hi, Luce,” she sighed.
“Family drama again?” Lucy asked.
“Youve no idea.”
“Not my business, but why do you put up with it? Hes always around, but youre not really *together*. Whats the point?”
“We didnt choose this, Lucy. We cant abandon his mum when shes ill. Once she recovers, John can go back to work.”
Lucy smirked. “Shed probably outrun us all if she tried. I think shes faking. You used to be differentwhat happened? Did they brainwash you?”
“I dont know. Just drop by if you want.”
When her phone rang, it was her bossher trip was rescheduled for noon the next day. Relief washed over her. Extra pay, fewer calls from John and his mum. Bliss.
Telling them lightened the mood. The evening passed quietly, though she and John slept separatelyhe didnt want to upset his mother. Emily didnt argue. She was too tired anyway.
At 2 a.m., her mother-in-law shook her awake. “Cant you hear me calling?”
Blinking sleepily, Emily mumbled, “I was out cold. Whats wrong?”
“Fetch my pills.”
Emily glanced at the medicine cabinetmuch closer to the woman than to her. But she got up. By 5 a.m., she finally slept, only to wake at 6:30. Arriving in the city exhausted, she nearly cheered when her trip was postponed again. Phone off, she collapsed onto the bed, finally feeling refreshed.
She even had time to freshen up before the train. It didnt matter that her destination had changedshed rested.
An hour earlier, her travel funds had cleared. For the first time, she decided not to send money to John. Shed already given most of her salary last month. This time, shed keep it.
Twenty minutes till departure, Emily ducked into a café for water. Hurrying past a flower stall, she froze. John was there. Hed claimed his mother was too ill to leave aloneyet here he was, buying a bouquet.
Heart pounding, she tailed him. What if the flowers werent for her? The thought sickened her. Nine minutes till her train. Clutching her ticket, she watched him hail a taxi and jumped into the next one.
“Follow him. Ill double your fare.”
The driver, intrigued, agreed. Through the window, Emily saw John embrace and kiss another woman before handing her the bouquet. Her stomach twisted.
The driver smirked. “Might not be what you think.”
Only then did she really look at himtoo polished for a cabbie.
Shed never ridden in such a sleek car. Maybe hed hit hard times. As she pondered, they turned into her street. John and the woman entered her building. Tears welled. So while she was away and his “sick” mother was in the village, he brought someone to *her* flat?
“Going in?” the driver asked gently.
“No point,” Emily whispered.
“Youve missed your train anyway. Where were you headed?”
She named a town two hundred miles away.
“Rubbish. Lets get coffee. Calm down, then Ill drive you.”
“I cant afford that.”
“Who said anything about a taxi? I just dropped my dad at the station. He visits my aunt every summer. Then you jumped in.”
“Sorry.” Shame burned as tears fell.
He chuckled. “Better stop thatyoull flood the car.”
Half an hour later, Emily stood by the river with coffee, watching the sunset. Breathtaking. Her problems felt distant.
“Like it?” the driverAlexasked.
“Stunning. Lived here years and never knew this spot.”
“I come often. Found it after my wife cheated.”
Emily gaped. He laughed. “Yeah, *me*whod cheat on *me*?”
She flushedshed been thinking just that. Studying him, she realised he was around her age, handsome, radiating calm confidence.
Two days later, John called as Emily packed for another trip.
“Em, whats this? Wheres the money? They paid you, right?”
“They did. Its for travel expenses.”
“So youre not sending it?”
“Thats right. And while were at it, get your things out of *my* flat. Reminderits from my parents.”
Silence. Then John hissed, “Have you lost it? How am I supposed to live?”
“Simple. Get a job like normal men do.”
“I cant leave Mum!”
“Seems shes fine. You leave her long enough to buy other women flowers with *my* money and take them to *my* place.”
She hung up. Finally, she saw how naive shed been.
She and Alex had swapped numbers, texting goodnights and little nothings.
On her next trip, John ambushed her outside.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded.
He grabbed her wrist. “We need to talk.”
“No. Were done.”
“Wrong,” he sneered. “You think you can walk away? Im a manI have needs. A few flings dont matter.”
“You think I care?”
He yanked her closer. “Youre being ridiculous. Whod want you? Come home and apologise.”
She wrenched free, but he seized her again, tearing her sleeve.
“Let go! Youre hurting me!”
Suddenly, he was gone. Alex stood there, breathless.
“Emily, you okay?”
She stared. “How?”
“Didnt want you alone on that train with some bloke chatting you up.”
John reappeared, snarling. “So youve got a boyfriend? Fine. Im filing for divorce!”
Emily straightened. “Perfect.”
John faltered, realising his mistake. She smiled. “Thanks, John. Saves me the paperwork. Ill sign whatever.”
As they drove off, Alex laughed. “Hes still standing there gobsmacked.”
“Ex-husband,” she corrected. “Now explain why youre really here.”
“You texted about your trip. I came to drive you.”
“Thats two hundred miles!”
He shrugged. “Yeah.”
Pulling over, he fetched a bouquet of white roses from the boot. “Forgot these. Meant to give them earlier.”
Emily looked from him to the flowers and smiled. Better than shed ever dreamed.
