He wasnt home yet. Lately, hed been swamped with work and staying later than usual.
Emma tucked the children into bed and headed to the kitchen for a cup of tea. Edward still hadnt returned. These days, he was buried in work, often coming home late.
She pitied his exhaustion and tried to shield him from household worrieshe was the sole breadwinner, after all. When they married, they agreed shed manage the home and raise their future children while he provided financially. Three children came in quick succession. Edward adored each one, always saying he didnt plan to stop there.
But Emma was worn out from endless childcare and decided to pause any talk of more children.
Edward stumbled in past midnight, slightly tipsy. When she asked why, he shrugged.
«Em, we were slammed at work, so the lads and I went for a quick drink to unwind.»
«Oh, you poor thing,» Emma smiled. «Let me fix you something to eat!»
«Dont bother. We had some nibbles at the pub. Im off to bed.»
Mothers Day approached, and Emma, after asking her mum to mind the kids, went shopping. She wanted to celebrate properlya romantic dinner for two. Her mother happily agreed to take the children overnight.
Aside from groceries and gifts, Emma decided to treat herself. It had been ages since shed bought anything new, and she hated asking Edward for money for clothes when she had nowhere to wear them. The last thing shed bought was a comfy loungewear sethardly fitting for the evening she had in mind.
She stepped into a boutique and picked out a few dresses. As she tried on the second, she heard her husbands voice from the next cubicle:
«Mmm, cant wait to get you out of this.»
A womans laughter followed. «Patience, you naughty thing! Go pick something for your wife instead.»
«Why bother? Shes knee-deep in nappies and school runs. As long as she feeds the kids, she could wear a bin bag for all they care. Ill get her a blender or a toasterthatll make her happy.»
Emma felt as if shed been doused in ice water. Silently, she kept trying on clothes, listening through the thin wall.
«What if she asks where all your moneys gone? A blender doesnt cost that much,» the woman giggled.
«Why should I explain how I spend MY money? I work, and she sits at home doing whatever she likes! She gets her housekeeping, and thats enough. She should be grateful!»
The fitting session ended, and the voices faded. Peeking out, Emma saw Edward at the till with a blonde, paying for their haul. He kissed her full on the lips, indifferent to the shop assistants stare.
«Are you alright, miss?» the assistant asked, noticing Emma still frozen in the cubicle.
«Fine, thanks!» Emma hurriedly handed over the dresses. «Ill take them all.»
Back home, after her mother left and the children napped, Emma sat stewing. She hadnt expected such betrayal. Worse than the affair was his contempt for everything she did for their family.
She wanted to file for divorce immediately but forced herself to think rationally.
«If I divorce him, hell swan off with that blonde, leaving me and the kids penniless. Child support? A pittance. How will we live?»
That night, Edward didnt stay late «working.» «Already had his fun this afternoon,» Emma thought coldly. Her feelings for him had vanished; he was a stranger now. She only dreaded him seeking intimacythe idea repulsed her.
But Edward, apparently satisfied, didnt approach her.
The next day, Emma polished her CV and sent it to agencies and firms. Then came the agonising wait. Days dragged as she checked her inbox each morning. Finally, a replyan interview at a local company. Ironically, it was Edwards workplace. After much deliberation, she decided to go.
With her mother watching the kids again, Emma aced the interview. Two hours later, they offered her a decent role with flexible hours. The pay wasnt stellar initially, but enough to support her and the children.
She returned home glowing. Her mother, baffled by her cheer, pressed for details.
«Mum, Edwards cheating on me!» Emma blurted, half-elated, half-relieved. Her mother, assuming she was hysterical, tried to calm her.
«Emma, dont be ridiculous! Edward? Hes at work day and night!»
«Hes with his mistress!» Emma spilled the changing-room story. Her mother listened, then asked, «What now?»
«Im divorcing him! And Ive got a jobflexible hours. The kids will start nursery soon, and once theyre settled, Ill work full-time.»
«Good for you! No one forgives that. And he doesnt respect you anymore. Ill help with the kids.»
«Thanks, Mum!» Emma hugged her tightly.
On March 7th, Edward came home late again. Emma didnt question him. Surprised by her indifference, he stammered, «Em, work was mad again»
«Just go to bed,» she cut in.
The next morning, as she served the children breakfast, Edward presented a gift: a toaster.
«Here, love, to make things easier.» He leaned in for a kiss, but Emma stepped back, ignoring the gift.
«Ive got a present for you too.»
Puzzled, Edward followed her to the hall, where two suitcases waited.
«Im filing for divorce. No more excusesyoure leaving.»
«How did you?» he mumbled.
«In the changing room, picking gifts for your blonde. You can give her the toasterI dont need it.»
Edwards face twisted with rage. «Jealous, are you? Shes stunning, unlike you! Youve forgotten how to dress, just obsess over the kids, living off me. Its MY moneyIll spend it how I like! You just cant stand me spoiling someone else, you selfish cow!»
«Not jealous,» Emma said calmly. «Now get out.»
The next day, she filed for divorce and child support. A week later, her doorbell rang. Edwards mother stood there, furious.
«Gold-digger! You threw him out and now want his money? Drop the supporthe owes you nothing!»
«Hes not paying mehes paying for his children, the ones he wanted,» Emma shot back. «If he cant afford his mistress, thats his problem. These are his kids too.»
«Whatll you do without him? You had kids thinking youd mooch off him forever! Well, it wont work! Hell slash his official salaryyoull get scraps! Youll come crawling back!»
«Doubt it.» Emma pointed at the door. «Get out before I call the police.»
Cursing, the woman left.
Months passed. All the children started nursery. A month after the youngest began, Emma took on full-time work.
«Hi,» came a familiar voice by her desk. «Can we talk?»
«Busy, Edward,» she said without looking up.
«Lunch, maybe?» He lingered. Emma glanced up. He looked haggard, drained. Rumor was the blonde had dumped him when half his wages went to child support. But Emma didnt care.
«No, Edward. Weve nothing to say. She packed up her desk at the end of the day, kissed her children when she picked them up, and drove home to a quiet house filled with the hum of the new toaster shed bought herself. On the kitchen table sat a letter from the courtfinal approval of the divorce, effective immediately. Emma lit a candle, poured a glass of wine, and opened her laptop to start planning the future. Her mother called to check in, and Emma smiled as she said, Im not just okay, Mum. Im finally free. She packed up her desk at the end of the day, kissed her children when she picked them up, and drove home to a quiet house filled with the hum of the new toaster shed bought herself. On the kitchen table sat a letter from the courtfinal approval of the divorce, effective immediately. Emma lit a candle, poured a glass of wine, and opened her laptop to start planning the future. Her mother called to check in, and Emma smiled as she said, Im not just okay, Mum. Im finally free.
