Emma and James were having dinner when the door suddenly swung open, and his motherMarthaburst into their flat in Manchester.
“James! You need to hear the truth about your wife!” she shouted from the doorway.
“Mum, sit down, calm yourself. Youre red in the face, your blood pressures up,” James said, worried.
“I should think so!” Martha huffed, turning sharply to Emma. “I ran into Sarah, your colleague today, and she told me everything!”
“What exactly?” Emma asked calmly, meeting her gaze.
“That you got promoted a year ago, and now you earn twice as much as James! And he didnt even know! You kept it from him!” Martha was nearly breathless with outrage.
“Whats the issue? We dont ask you for money, we manage fine. What do you want?”
“In spring, when I asked for help fixing up the cottage, you said you had no spare cash. Now it turns out you do! Wheres it all going? Saving up to leave him, are you?” Martha snapped.
Emma stood and looked at James.
“James, could you bring the green folder from the bedside drawer?”
He silently obliged.
“Whats this?” he asked, opening it. “Savings accounts?”
“Yes. For Oliver and Sophie. Ive been setting aside part of my salary every monthfor their future. When I realised your family saw me as an outsider, I had to think of the children.”
“Outsider?” James cut in.
“Did you forget how the flatbought with the money from selling the two-bed in Londonwas only in your name? ‘Just in case.’ You never said a word. I was pregnant, and you stayed silent. Did you think I wouldnt notice?”
James sighed heavily. Martha tried to interject.
“It was insurance!”
“Against what? The mother of your children?” Emmas voice shook. “And then you wonder why Im distant?”
“Wheres the money, Emma?” Martha pressed. “If not for the family, youre keeping it to walk out!”
“James, please see your mother out. Weve nothing left to say,” Emma said quietly.
“Fine, Ill go! But mark my wordsyoure the one tearing this family apart!” Martha shot back, though she added on her way out, “Though you were never really suited from the start.”
When the door closed, James was silent for a long time.
“Did you really think I was planning an escape route?” he finally asked.
“I didnt know. You never said. Silence speaks volumes.”
“I dont want a divorce. I love you. And the kids.”
“Then prove it. Show me Im not just temporary.”
“Alright. Ill transfer the flat into Sophies name. And Ill start putting money into the childrens accounts. Bit by bit, but regularly. Trust takes two.”
Emma gave a quiet nod.
“And we dont say ‘divorce’ again,” James added.
“Agreed.”
For the first time in ages, they spoke not as strangers, but as people who belonged together.
A family isnt held together by money, but by honesty. Silence breaks bondstruth mends them.
