Forgive me, dear Em, for the sharp words, the wouldbe motherinlaw whispered, hurrying as if the hallway were made of quicksilver. I didnt mean them in anger. Perhaps youll drop by sometime? Vick is still alone, still wandering the maze of his own fate after you left him. He lives now in the glow of endless video games
***
Emily and Victor had been together for almost two years. To Emily, their bond felt solid; she often stepped into Victors family home, where she was received politely, though the warmth was thin as a winter fog. She imagined a sturdy future. Victor, a little carefree, possessed a charm that made his ambitions seem palpable.
The idyll shattered when Victor failed a crucial English exam. His negligence during the lockdownspending hours glued to his console, abandoning his studieshad led to the specter of expulsion hovering over his head.
In the throes of that crisis, Emilys voice rose, sharp as a broken mirror, aimed at Victors mother:
I dont need a man who achieves nothing. I need a selfsufficient partner. I will not be anyones housemaid; I want us to share everythinghousehold chores, the earning of pounds, everything! The words hung in the air, instantly pulling their future into question.
Victors mother took it as a personal affront. She had spent her life sheltering her husband and son, believing her role was to care, not to demand results. Now she expected Emily to behave the same way.
Tis folly! she snapped. A womans first duty is to keep the hearth warm! The man is the head of the house! Emily stayed silent, unwilling to fuel the fire. After that, doors that had once opened for her began to close. Communication with Victor dwindled to secret messages, sporadic calls, and fleeting meetings in neutral cafés. He suffered the ache of distance, yet cloaked his honesty in manipulation.
Emily, we must speak to my mother, Victor pleaded over the phone. You have to tell her you dont really think that way. Im tired of hiding! Make peace with the parents, will you?
Why should I prove anything to your mother? She didnt raise me. This is your problem, not mine. Why should I bend?
Because you love me, and I love you. Its the only way to fix everything. If you dont, well lose each other forever
With a heavy heart, Emily agreedlove drove her to a humiliating step: to try to explain herself to a strangers mother.
But the dream twisted.
When Emily arrived, Victor let her into the entry hall. At that moment, a stern figure descended the stairsVictors father.
Victor, what is this girl doing here? he barked.
Victor faltered. Emily felt the color drain from her face; the question sounded as if he were addressing a passing acquaintance, not his beloved.
Dad, Emily, we Victor started, but his father cut him off:
I see who she is. Shes out!
From the living room emerged the mother:
Whos making that racket? Vick, whos with you?
Father, ignoring Emily, tossed out:
The very one who tried to teach you about life.
Emily understood: she was not welcomed. Hurt and humiliation surged, prompting an instinctive reaction.
Im leaving, and you stay, you pitiful, goodfornothing son of mum! she hissed, storming out, slamming the door so hard the hinges sang. Victor, stunned, made no move to stop her.
The moment she stepped onto the pavement, her phone rang. Victors voice crackled, not with remorse but with fury:
What did you say?! You ruined everything!
What did I ruin? Your father just turned me into a callgirl on his level!
Does it matter who he placed me with? You caused a scandal! Mothers furious, and father wants me never to see you again!
Then he added the final blow:
And you know the worst part? I wont be allowed to sit at my computer any longer.
Emily felt the pain melt into a cold resolve.
You blame me for not being able to game? Your familys problems are yours alone. You should have sorted them yourself, not make me the scapegoat.
It was clear he hadnt changed. He remained an infantile youth, hunting for someone to blame, offering no protection.
I cant endure this any longer, Vick. Were done. This is the end, Emily declared, blocking him on every platform. The break was sharp, but necessary. His familys cross was his to bear, not hers.
A year later, Emily recovered, stepped into a new chapter. She met a new man, and after three months they spoke of marriage.
One afternoon, while browsing a tiny shop in a rainslick London alley, she bumped into Irene Hughes, Victors mother.
Emily, my dear! How wonderful to see you! Irene exclaimed, arms flailing.
Emily startled:
Hello
Irene clasped her, flooding her with questions:
Its been ages! How are you? How have you been? Its such a shame you and Vick split. Hes gone mad with his games! He wont work, always at the computer. When you were together, he was far more responsible Come visit us!
Sorry, Irene, Im busy. Work, home
Irenes eyes fell on a ring glinting on Emilys finger.
Whats that? Are you married?
No, were only engaged. Well have the wedding this summer.
A smile vanished from Irenes face, replaced by a cold sneer:
So thats it! I see why Vick left you. Youre not needed here!
Emily shrugged, turned toward the shelves. In that moment Irenes words felt oddly true: perhaps it was a blessing that shed left him, but a lament lingered that shed once wasted time on him. The dream faded, and the streetlights flickered like distant stars, sealing the memory in a halflit haze.
