One day, a man came home and said, Im sorry. Ive fallen in love with someone else. Ill help with the boys, but Im leaving. Forgive me if you can.
He left Emily with the children and walked out. The next day, a chat with their neighbour opened her eyes.
Emily had married late. Before that, shed been focused on uni, then completely absorbed by her career. Thats where she met James. She bumped into him in a rush to the office, accidentally brushing against him. He fell for her instantly. That evening, as she left work, James suddenly appeared, holding an umbrella over her head and handing her a bouquet. Thats how they met. Flowers, surprises, giftssix months later, they married. A year after that, their first son was born.
Emily put on a bit of weight during pregnancy, but James didnt mind. Then came their second boy, and she gained more. She never went back to work, just looked after the house and the kids. Meanwhile, James started his own little computer repair business. Emily didnt even notice when he began drifting away. That last year was especially hardJames was always working or away on business trips. She had no idea he wasnt actually travelling. Then one day, he came home and calmly said,
*Im sorry. Ive fallen for someone else. Ill help with the boys, but Im leaving. Forgive me if you can.*
Emily was stunned. It wasnt until the next day that their neighbour told her James had been cheating for ages. She wasnt herself for weeks.
Eight months passed.
One evening, the doorbell rang. It was James, there to see the kids. Emily exchanged a few words with him, then went to the kitchen. Her phone rang. She answered, grinning,
*Hey! Thought youd forgotten about us.*
*Never. How could I forget happiness? Ill pick you and the boys up tomorrowyoull love the new place. Im sure of it. Love you.*
Emily hung up, smiling. Frank had just proposedtheyd be moving in together. She turned to head to the boys room, but James had heard everything.
*Did I miss my chance?* he asked, staring at the floor.
*Yes!* Emily laughed, brighter than she had in years.
