**Diary Entry**
One evening, a man came home and said quietly, Im sorry. Ive fallen in love with someone else. Ill still help with the boys. Im leavingforgive me if you can. He left Emily with their children and walked out. The next day, a neighbours revelation opened her eyes.
Emily had married late. Before that, shed been absorbed in her studies, then consumed by her career. Thats where shed met James. She bumped into him in her rush to the office, accidentally brushing against him. He fell for her instantly. That same evening, as Emily left work, James suddenly appeared, holding an umbrella over her head and presenting a bouquetthat was how they met. Flowers, surprises, gifts. Six months later, they married. A year after that, their first son was born.
During her pregnancies, Emily put on weight, but James never minded. Then came their second boy. She never returned to work, devoting herself to the home and their sons. Meanwhile, James built his own small computer repair business. She hadnt even noticed when he began drifting away. That last year was especially hardhe vanished into work, claiming business trips. Emily had no idea he wasnt travelling at all. Then, one evening, he came home and calmly said, Im sorry. Ive fallen in love with someone else. Ill still help with the boys. Im leavingforgive me if you can. It blindsided her. Only the next day did their neighbour confess James had been unfaithful for ages. Emily wasnt herself for months.
Eight months passed.
One night, the intercom buzzed. It was James, here to see the boys. Emily exchanged a few words with him before retreating to the kitchen. Then her phone rang. Hello, she answered, smiling. I thought youd forgotten about us.
Never, came the warm reply. How could I forget happiness? Ill pick you all up tomorrow. You and the boys will love the new flat. I love you.
She set the phone down, a quiet joy lighting her face. George had proposedtheyd be moving in together. As she turned toward the boys room, James stood frozen in the hallway, having heard everything.
Am I too late? he asked, staring at the floor.
Emily laughed, bright and unburdened. Funny, she said, I was just thinking the same thing about you. She stepped past him, calling the boys for bedtime stories, her voice steady, her heart no longer his to break.
