«Spare No Thought for Your Own Son»
«Have you lost your mind? You spent the money we saved for five years on a flat for your pregnant mistress? You threw away my hard-earned wagesmy sons futureon some… I dont even have words! How could you…»
Thirteen years. That was how long Emily had been married to Daniel. She had loved him fiercely, adored the way his dishevelled chestnut hair always stuck up no matter how much he smoothed it down, cherished that weary, tender smile he reserved for their eight-year-old, Oliver. Their quiet life in the Cotswolds had been predictable, comforting.
Daniel walked in at half past nine. Lately, hed been working latea fact Emily had dismissed until recently. He was ambitious, after all. Providing for the family. The door slammed behind him as he shrugged off his jacket, the scent clinging to it unfamiliarsickly sweet, floral. Emily noticed instantly.
«Hello,» he muttered, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. «Exhausted. Brutal day.»
«Dinners ready. Come eat.»
«No, thanks. Just need a shower.»
He moved past her, and a sharp unease twisted in Emilys chest. Again, refusing food. Lately, his phone never left his pocket. Used to leave it on the bedside table, but now? Screen down. Always locked. Even brushing against it made him tense.
«Youre late,» she said, clearing a teacup. «Busy at the office?»
Daniel was already in the bathroom doorway.
«Yeah. Quarter-end. Reports. Endless red tape.»
«Why do you smell like that?» The question came out sharper than she intended.
Daniel froze. She saw itthe flicker of panic.
«Smell like what?» He tried for casual, but his shoulders tightened.
«Perfume. Sweet. Floral. Not your cologne.»
«Oh. Mustve been one of the girls at work. Lucy from accounting was showing off her new bottle. Probably lingered.» He waved a hand. «Dont hold me up, Em. Im knackered.»
«Lucy from accounting,» Emily echoed under her breath as she stepped onto the patio. «Right.»
The scent had haunted her for weeks. At first, shed told herself it was nothingjust a colleagues perfume, harmless.
Their familys dream had lived in a savings account. Five years of scrimpingDaniels salary as an engineer, Emilys modest earnings from freelance dressmaking. No holidays. No new car. Every spare penny tucked away for Olivers future, for a flat he could call his own when he left for university. Two hundred thousand poundsa fortune in their village. Enough to keep him out of dingy student halls.
The storm broke without warning. A client paid Emily early, even adding a bonus for her quick work. On a whim, she went to the banknot online, not today. Maybe she just needed air.
The teller, a girl named Sophie whod served her for years, offered a polite smile.
«Hello, Mrs. Hart. How can I help?»
«Just checking the balance on our savings account. And Id like to make a deposit.»
«Of course. May I see your ID?»
Emily handed it over. Sophies fingers tapped across the keyboard.
«Right…» The girl frowned. «Mrs. Hart, the account… its empty.»
«What?»
Emilys stomach dropped. There had to be a mistake.
«Zero balance. Completely withdrawn.»
The floor swayed. Emily clutched the counter.
«Sophie, thats impossible. Check again. Its under Daniel Hart. We opened it five years agoIve paid into it every month!»
«Im afraid its correct,» Sophie said gently. «The last transaction was a cash withdrawal. Two weeks ago. For… two hundred thousand.»
Emilys throat closed. «Two hundred thousand?»
«Daniel Hart closed the account.»
Two weeks ago. Daniel had come home late. A meeting, hed said.
«Print the full statement. Now.»
***
When Daniel returned, Emily was waiting at the kitchen table, the printed statement folded neatly in half. Her face was eerily calm.
He tossed his keys onto the hook, rubbing his temples.
«Hey. Everything alright?»
«Sit down, Daniel.» Her voice was flat, quiet.
He hesitated, eyes darting to the papers. Slowly, understanding flickered across his face.
«Whats this?»
«Sit.»
He sank into the chair opposite.
«Em, I dont know what youre»
«Stop lying.» Her fingers pressed into the table. «I went to the bank today. The accounts empty. Two hundred thousand. Gone.»
Daniel stared at his hands. He didnt deny it.
«How did you find out?»
«Does it matter? Wheres the money, Daniel?»
«I… bought a flat.»
«A flat?» Her voice cracked. «For who?»
He exhaled sharply. When he looked up, there was no remorsejust irritation.
«For her.»
«Who is her?» Emilys tone was glacial.
«Daniel. Say her name.»
«Chloe.»
Silence.
Emilys nails bit into her palms. She wanted to scream, to hurl the china against the wall. Instead, she breathed.
«Go on.»
«Last year, that team-building weekendremember? Boss made us all go. Thats where I met her.» He swallowed. «Chloes… different. Wild. Makes me feel alive. Youre steady, Em. Comfortable. But with her»
«Spare me.»
Daniel flinched. «We lost touch. She ditched me for some bloke. I moved on, I swear. Then she called. Said she was pregnant.» His jaw tightened. «Her mum kicked her out. I couldnt leave her on the streets with my kid.»
Emily stood, walking to the window.
«So your bastard child matters, but your son doesnt?» Her voice was steel. «Heres what happens next. Tomorrow, you sign your half of this house over to Oliver. When hes older, Ill sell it. Hell have his own place. As for you? I dont care. The divorce papers will be filed by morning. And if you fight me, DanielIll ruin you.»
Of course, he tried to win her back. Loitered outside the house. Sent pleading texts. But Emily never replied.
The divorce was swift.
And as for Chloe? She didnt want him either. The baby girl, born right on schedule, had her fathers eyesjust not Daniels.
The truth, as they say, has a way of surfacing.
