She waited, but he still hadnt arrived. Lately, hed been buried in work, staying later and later.
Emily tucked the children into bed and wandered to the kitchen for a cup of tea. William wasnt home yet. These days, he was always tied up at the office, coming back long after dark.
She pitied his exhaustion and shielded him from household worriesafter all, he was the sole breadwinner. When they married, theyd agreed shed tend to the home and their future children while he handled the finances. Three babies came in quick succession. William adored each one, insisting they shouldnt stop there.
But Emily was worn thin by the endless cycle of nappies and night feeds, and she put her foot downno more children for now.
William stumbled in past midnight, faintly tipsy. When she asked why, he shrugged.
«Just a quick pint with the lads, love. Needed to unwind.»
«Oh, you poor thing!» Emily forced a smile. «Let me fix you something to eat.»
«Dont bother. We had some crisps at the pub. Ill just turn in.»
Mothers Day was approaching, and Emily, after arranging for her mum to watch the children, headed to the high street. She wanted to celebrate properlya romantic dinner for two. Her mother happily took the kids for the evening.
Along with groceries and gifts, Emily decided to treat herself. It had been ages since shed bought anything nice, and she hated asking William for money just to update her wardrobe. The last thing shed bought was a comfy tracksuithardly suitable for the candlelit evening she envisioned.
She stepped into a boutique and picked out a few dresses. As she slipped on the second one, she heard a familiar voice from the next changing room.
«Mm, cant wait to get you out of that.»
A womans laugh followed. «Patience, you rogue! Go on, pick something for your wife instead.»
«What for? Shes knee-deep in nappies. As long as she feeds the kids, who cares what she wears? Ill get her a toaster or a blenderthatll make her happy.»
Emily felt as if icy water had been poured down her back. Silently, she kept trying on dresses, ears straining against the thin partition.
«What if she asks where the money went? A toaster doesnt cost that much» the woman teased.
«Why should I explain how I spend *my* money? I work, she sits at home doing whatever she likes! She gets her housekeeping, and thats enough. She should be grateful!»
The voices faded as they left the changing area. Emily peeked out carefully. There was William, at the till with a blonde, paying for their haul. He kissed her full on the lips, indifferent to the cashiers stare.
«Are you alright, madam?» the shop assistant asked, noticing Emily still frozen in the cubicle.
«Yesfine!» she blurted, thrusting the dresses forward. «Ill take them all.»
Back home, after her mother left and the children were down for their nap, Emily sat in silence, weighing her options. She hadnt expected betrayal like this from William. Worse than the cheating was the contemptthe way he dismissed everything she did for their family.
Part of her wanted to bolt straight to a solicitor, but she forced herself to breathe and think.
*If I divorce him, hell swan off with that woman, leaving me and the kids with nothing. Child support? Pennies. How will we live?*
That night, William didnt stay late «working.» *Probably got his fill this afternoon*, Emily thought coldly. Her feelings for him had evaporatedhe was a stranger now. The only thing that frightened her was the thought of him wanting intimacy. The idea repulsed her.
But William, apparently sated, didnt come near her.
The next morning, Emily dusted off her CV and sent it to every agency and firm she could find. Then came the agonising waitdays of refreshing her inbox, heart leaping at every notification. Finally, a reply came. An interview at a company in townironically, the same one where William worked. After hours of deliberation, she decided to go.
Her mother took the children again, and Emily headed to the interview. Two hours later, she walked out with an offera decent role with flexible hours. The pay wasnt grand, but it was enough to keep her and the children afloat.
She floated home, giddy. Her mother, puzzled by her radiant mood, pressed for answers.
«MumWilliams cheating on me!» Emily blurted, relief mixing oddly with joy.
Her mother, convinced she was hysterical, guided her to the sofa. «Emily, dont be absurd! William? Hes at work day and night!»
«No, hes with his mistress!» Emily spilled everythingthe changing room, the blonde, the blender. Her mother listened, then asked, «What will you do now?»
«Im divorcing him. AndIve got a job! Flexible hours. Soon Ill enrol the kids in nursery. Once theyre settled, Ill work full-time.»
«Good for you!» Her mother squeezed her hand. «No one forgives betrayal like that. And he doesnt respect you anymore. Ill help with the children.»
«Thank you!» Emily hugged her tightly.
On March 7th, William came home late again. Emily didnt ask why. Surprised by her indifference, he offered excuses:
«Love, we were swamped at work»
But Emily cut him off. «Just go to bed.»
The next morning, as she served the children breakfast, William approached with a gifta blender.
«Here, darling. To make things easier.» He leaned in for a kiss, but Emily stepped back, ignoring the box.
«Ive got a gift for you too.»
Baffled, William followed her to the hallway, where two large suitcases waited.
«Im filing for divorce. No more lies. You can leave now.»
«How did you?»
«In the changing room. Picking out gifts for your blonde. You can give *her* the blenderI dont need it.»
Shock twisted into fury. «Jealous, are you? Shes gorgeous, polishedunlike you! You forgot how to even wear makeup! You live for the kids, off *my* money! Who cares what I buy or who with? Its *mine*! You just cant stand me spending it on someone elseselfish cow!»
Emily didnt flinch. «Im not jealous. Now get out.»
The next day, she filed for divorce and child support. A week later, her doorbell rang. Williams mother stood there, seething.
«Gold-digger! You throw him out, then demand his money? Drop the child support! He doesnt owe you a thing!»
«He owes *his children*,» Emily said coolly. «If he cant afford his mistress, thats his problem. These are his kids too.»
«What will you do without him? Had them thinking youd mooch off him forever, didnt you? Well, it wont work! Hell lower his official salaryyoull get scraps! Youll come crawling back!»
Emily pointed at the door. «Out. Or Ill call the police.»
Cursing, the woman left.
Months passed. The children started nursery. A month after the youngest began, Emily took on full-time work.
«Hello,» came a familiar voice by her desk. «Can we talk?»
«Sorry, William. Im busy,» she said, not looking up.
«Lunch, maybe?» He lingered, looking haggard. She knew the blonde had dumped him when she realised half his wages would go to the children. But none of it mattered anymore.
«No, William. We wont be talking. Or having lunch. «Then what do you want? A bigger payout?» he snapped, voice cracking.
Emily finally looked at him, her gaze steady. «I want nothing from you. Not your money, not your time, not even your apology. I want you to walk away and never come back.»
He opened his mouth, but no words came. She turned to her computer, typing calmly, the silence between them thick and final. After a long moment, he shuffled out, the office door closing softly behind him.
That evening, Emily tucked the children into bed, kissed their foreheads, and stood in the hallway, listening to their quiet breathing. She poured herself a glass of wine, stepped onto the porch, and looked up at the stars. For the first time in years, the air felt light. She took a slow sip, smiled, and whispered, «I’m free. I’m free.
