The clock ticked past midnight, and still, he hadnt come home. Lately, his workload had been overwhelming, keeping him out later and later.
Emily tucked the children into bed and wandered into the kitchen, pouring herself a cup of tea. Daniel still wasnt back. These days, he was buried in work, always staying late.
She hated how exhausted he seemed and did her best to shield him from household worriesafter all, he was the sole breadwinner. When they married, they agreed shed take care of the home and their future children while he provided financially. Three children arrived in quick succession. Daniel adored each one, insisting they shouldnt stop there.
But Emily was drainedendless nappies, sleepless nights, tiny hands clinging to her. She needed a break from expanding their family.
Daniel stumbled in after midnight, slightly tipsy. When she asked why, he shrugged.
«Had a late one with the lads from work. Needed to unwind.»
«Oh, you poor thing!» Emily forced a smile. «Come on, Ill fix you something to eat.»
«Dont bother. We grabbed some pub grub. Just need sleep.»
Mothers Day neared, and Emily arranged for her mum to watch the kids while she headed to the shopping centre. She wanted to celebrate properlya romantic dinner for two. Her mother happily took the children for the evening.
Along with groceries and gifts, Emily decided to treat herself. She hadnt bought anything nice in ages, too embarrassed to ask Daniel for money for new clothes when she rarely had anywhere to wear them. The last thing shed bought was a comfy jumperhardly suitable for the evening she had planned.
She stepped into a boutique and picked out a few dresses. As she slipped on the second one, a familiar voice drifted from the next changing room.
«Mmm, I cant wait to get you out of this.»
A womans giggle followed. «Patience, you devil! Go on, pick something out for your wife while youre at it.»
«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 froze, as if ice water had been poured down her back. Silently, she kept trying on clothes, ears straining against the thin partition.
«What if she asks where all your moneys going? A toaster doesnt cost that much» The woman laughed.
«Why should I explain how I spend *my* money? Im the one working while she sits at home doing whatever she likes! She gets her allowancethats enough. She should be grateful!»
The rustling of clothes stopped; voices faded toward the till. Emily peeked out cautiously. There was Daniel, at the counter with a blonde, paying for their purchases. He kissed her full on the lips, indifferent to the cashiers raised brow.
«Are you alright, miss?» The shop assistant frowned as Emily lingered in the changing room, motionless.
«Fine!» she blurted, thrusting the dresses forward. «Ill take them all.»
Back home, after her mother left and the children napped, Emily sat numb, weighing her options. Daniels betrayal stung, but worse was his contempt for everything she did.
She wanted to storm out, file for divorcebut forced herself to think rationally.
*If I leave, hell swan off with that woman, leaving me and the kids with nothing. Child support? Pennies. How will we survive?*
That night, Daniel didnt stay late «working.» *Probably got his fill this afternoon*, Emily thought coldly. Her love for him had evaporatedhe was a stranger now. The idea of his touch revolted her.
But Daniel, satisfied elsewhere, didnt come near her.
The next morning, Emily polished her CV and sent it off. Days crawled by in agonising silence untilfinallyan email arrived. An interview at a local firm. Ironically, Daniels workplace.
After much deliberation, she went.
Her mother took the kids again. Two hours later, Emily walked out with a job offerflexible hours, decent pay. Enough to stand on her own.
She returned home glowing. Her mother, puzzled, pressed for answers.
«Mum, Daniels cheating on me!» Emily burst out, half-laughing in relief.
Her mother gasped. «Emily, love, youre not thinking straight! Daniel? Hes at work day and night!»
«Hes with *her*!» Emily spilled the changing-room confession. Her mother paled. «What will you do?»
«Divorce him. And Ive got a jobflexible hours. Once the kids are all in nursery, Ill work full-time.»
«Good. A betrayal like that No respect left. Ill help with the children.»
«Thank you!» Emily hugged her tightly.
On the 7th of March, Daniel slunk home late again. Emily didnt ask. Startled by her indifference, he babbled excuses.
«Em, the lads and I were swamped»
«Just go to bed,» she cut in.
The next morning, as she served breakfast, Daniel presented a gifta blender.
«Here, love. Make things easier for you.» He leaned in for a kiss. Emily recoiled, ignoring the box.
«Ive got a gift for you too.»
Baffled, he followed her to the hallwaywhere two suitcases waited.
«I want a divorce. No more lies. Get out.»
His face twisted. «How did you?»
«In the changing room. When you were picking out *her* presents. Give *her* the blender. I dont need it.»
Daniels shock curdled into rage.
«Jealous, are you? That Ive got a woman who *tries*, unlike you! Youve forgotten how to dress, how to smilejust a broodmare living off *my* money! Its *mine* to spend! You just cant stand me giving it to someone else, you selfish cow!»
Emily didnt flinch. «Im not jealous. Now go.»
The next day, she filed for divorce and child support. A week later, her mother-in-law pounded on the door, livid.
«Gold-digger! You threw him out, now youre bleeding him dry! Drop the support! He owes you *nothing*!»
«He owes his *children*,» Emily said coldly. «If he cant afford his mistress, thats *his* problem. These are his kids too.»
«Whatll you do without his money? You had them thinking youd mooch off him forever! Well, it wont work! Hell slash his official salaryyoull get scraps! Youll come crawling back!»
Emily pointed at the door. «Get out before I call the police.»
Cursing, the woman stormed off.
Months passed. The children settled into nursery. Once the youngest started, Emily transitioned to full-time work.
One day, a familiar voice murmured by her desk. «Hi. Can we talk?»
«Busy, Daniel.» She didnt look up.
«Lunch, maybe?» He lingered, looking haggard. Rumor had it his blonde left when half his wages went to child support.
Emily finally met his gaze. «No. We have nothing to say. She signed the divorce papers two weeks later, keeping her name, her children, and her silence. Daniel moved into a smaller flat, then out of town, his calls eventually stopping altogether. Emily kept the blenderplugged it in every morning as she made the kids smoothies, a quiet reminder that shed once been given an appliance instead of love, and had still built something stronger than he ever imagined.
