What are you doing here? Emma asked, her voice edged with suspicion.
Im back, as you can see, James said, flashing a grin and gesturing to the bags of belongings hed hauled in.
Since when? Emma tilted her head, bewildered. Its been six months.
Emma, I cant just, James sighed heavily. The thought of having left you alone tore my soul apart. My heart feels like its being ripped open, watching you suffer like this.
Im suffering? Emma echoed.
At least I dont have to pretend in front of anyone, James smirked. You can spin your own story, say my leaving meant nothing, that youre fine.
I know how hard it is for youalone, with a baby! he added, his tone softening.
Emma hummed thoughtfully.
Did you change the lock? James rattled a bunch of keys in his hand. It must be broken. Heres the proof I didnt oil it in time, so it gave out!
Emma fell silent, unsure how to answer. The whir of the lift doors opening on the floor broke the awkward pause.
Dad? her son Harry asked, confused.
Yes, love, James knelt, spreading his arms. Im moving back in with you both. Come, give me a hug!
Harry hesitated, glanced at his mother, who gave a small nod.
Alright, Emma said, come in, itll be clearer once youre inside.
James entered the flat with the confidence of a homeowner, yet he moved toward the kitchen as if he were a guest.
In the hallway, a new key shelf and a sleek shoe cabinet had appeared. The lighting fixture was different, and the interior doors were brandnew.
When Emma passed the bathroom after James, she flicked a switch.
Whats that? James asked.
You remember how damp the bathroom used to be? Emma replied. I installed an extractor so the door can stay open without getting soggy.
Twenty minutes later never mind, she waved him off. Tea or coffee?
Make the coffee, James said, settling onto a fresh stool.
Emma fetched a coffee pod, dropped it into the machine, and pressed the button.
Ill just change my clothes, she said with a smile.
No problem, James replied, his hand sweeping in a restrained gesture.
The kitchen now sported a different kettle, new pots, and a tiled backsplash rather than the old adhesive film James had once applied. Fresh towel hooks gleamed by the sink.
Emma returned in her gym tracksuitshe used to roam in plush robes. Jamess mood had shifted dramatically from the moment he arrived.
Whats that youve brought? he demanded sharply.
Who? Emma asked, baffled.
What man have you let into the house? I need to know whos raising my son! And for the record, were not divorced yet! he snapped.
Just drink your coffee, Emma said, a smile playing on her lips.
Look at her! James roared. I pity her, I come back, and shes still… doing who knows what, with a living husband! Emma!
Drink your coffee! his voice turned into a command.
Ill pour this coffee over your head if you dont! James leapt up. Whats happening here? I demand answers!
***
Six months earlier, Emma had decided her life was over. The shock had been unbearable.
Emma, I think our marriage has run its course, James declared. The feelings, the warmth theyre gone.
What once bound us is gone. Staying together only for Harry feels like a sacrifice too great, he continued.
Divorce? Emma whispered, fear trembling in her voice.
Id suggest we dont rush, James said. I could be wrongmaybe terribly wrong. Lets live apart for now, not divorce. I wont be a regular visitor, but if you truly need me, you can call. Just dont keep ringing; I might already have a new life.
He then added, Dont bother the courts for maintenance. Theyll only grant you about fifteen hundred pounds. Ill give you that for the next month, then pay as my salary comes in. Everyones an adult; we all have to support ourselves. Ill still contribute for Harry. So, handle it yourself, and dont take it personally.
Emma felt adrift, caught between sky and ground. Nine years of what she believed was a happy marriage collapsed in an instant. She couldnt recall any warning signs. Life had revolved around Jameshe drove her to interviews, helped with paperwork, attended every prenatal checkup, even insisted on a partner birth. He had been there when they collected baby Harry from the hospital.
Money had never been an issue; Emma inherited a flat from a distant aunt, so there was cash for renovations and furniture. James never shied away from household chores, and their families got along famously. When Harry grew older, Emma returned to work, and Jamess schedule changed, leaving her to commute alone. He gave her his car and even paid for her driving lessons. When the car needed a garage, Emma would hand James the keys, assuming hed sort it out. He later warned her that garages treated women drivers with bias and overcharged for repairs.
Emma was never a trophy on Jamess arm; she handled the home affairs herself, calling on James only when she truly needed help. At work she earned respect for diligence, climbing two rungs up the career ladder in five years. When she succeeded, James would beam with pride, sharing in her joy.
Then, without warning, he left. Emma was lost, searching for his presence, and when it wasnt there everything slipped through her fingers. Her parents noticed her slump. Her mother grew anxious, while her father, David Andrews, took charge and sat down with her.
Love, life throws curveballs, David said gently. Its not a reason to give up. Its hard to understand, even harder to accept, but the world keeps turning.
Dad, everythings falling apart, Emma sobbed. I have no strength, no desire to do anything.
Sweetheart, your mother and I will always support you, David replied, a warm smile on his face. Youre smart and kind; dont disappoint us.
His words cut through her tears. She drifted through the next month in a haze, making no changes, until something unexpected happened that cheered her.
It was as if she erased James from a math problem and solved it anew. She discovered she didnt need to clean every day; the house stayed tidy for four to seven days. Laundry frequency dropped, the detergent bottle lasted months. She realized she didnt have to cook three meals a dayevery other day was enough, far less than before.
Financially, the picture was strange. Jamess salary vanished from the family budget, leaving only Emmas wages and the £1,500 maintenance payments. Yet at months end, £2,500 remained. Did I miss a payment? she wondered, bewildered. Everything balanced, and the house was comfortable.
Shed long wanted new bedroom doors. With the extra cash, she could afford them. The store sent two sturdy young men to replace the old doors, haul them to the skip, install the new ones, and even sweep up after themselves. Emma imagined how much James would have fussed over this, how shed have had to coax him into doing it.
Money in the pocket spurred more buying. She got a key rack, a new hallway light, and a shoe cabinet. She considered asking James to assemble them, then remembered his request not to be pulled back into the house.
Is a handyman okay for an hour? she mused aloud. Why not? It turned out cheap and quick. A local tradesman arrived, listened, nodded, and within an hour said, All set. Ive cleared the damp in the bathroomno mould worries. Want a vent installed? We have the ductwork. Half an hour, a modest fee.
Will you do it tomorrow after lunch? she asked.
Easy, no drama, just pay and its done, the man replied, sparking plans for further upgrades.
Harrys school holidays were approaching, so Emma decided to leave him with Jamess mother, not her own. Their relationship remained cordial; there was no tension over Jamess departure. The grandparents, along with Jamess sister Katya, chatted about the latest TV shows over tea.
Three days later, James burst back in, shouting, Im back!
Emma met his accusation with a cold smile. You could demand when you were still my husband. Now just have a coffee and get out!
Im not going anywhere! James shouted. Im still your husband! I came back because I felt sorry for you, so you wouldnt disappear without me!
As you can see, Emma replied, still smiling, you havent made me disappear. Youre only my husband on paper now, but thats easy to fix. Ill handle it very soon.
James stared, utterly baffled, unable to grasp how his noble actreturning to mend a broken familywas being rejected.
Dont want coffee? Then go, Emma waved dismissively, as if swatting a fly. I still have lessons to do with Harry!
The oncefriendly ties with his mother and sister cracked instantly. It was clear who had sent James to save Emma from her own misery.
