**Diary Entry**
I checked my husbands phone for the time while he slept, and a notification shattered my world.
No, Mrs. Thompson, I cant take leave now! Weve got the quarterly report due, and the tax inspection is looming! Emily shuffled papers nervously, avoiding her bosss glare. Please, ask someone else.
Who else? The stout woman in the sharp suit loomed over the desk. Sarahs on maternity leave, Jessicas off with her sick child, and Olivia would mix up all the paperwork! Youre the only one who can handle the branch audits!
But my sons ill, my mother cant come to help, and my husbands always away, Emily swallowed the lump in her throat. I cant just drop everything and go to Manchester for a week!
I dont care about your personal problems! Mrs. Thompson snapped. Either go on this business trip, or hand in your resignation. Choose now.
Emily left the office feeling utterly powerless. In the corridor, her colleague Sophie caught up with her.
Rough meeting? she asked sympathetically. I heard the shouting.
Thats putting it mildly, Emily sighed. I dont know what to do. Jamies just recovered from pneumonia, James is tied up with the Edinburgh project. How am I supposed to manage everything?
What about your mother-in-law? Could she help with Jamie?
Emily gave a bitter laugh.
Oh, sure. Margaret thinks grandchildren are solely the mothers responsibilityunless shes critiquing how I raise him. No thanks.
Back at her desk, Emily mechanically sorted through files, her mind miles away. Thirty-eight years old, and still torn between work, motherhood, and keeping the household afloat. And James was never there when she needed him most.
That evening, after tucking Jamie in, she collapsed onto the sofa. Her head throbbed. She dialled Jamess number, but he didnt answerprobably stuck in another meeting. After fifteen years of marriage, she was used to his constant travel and late nights, but sometimes the weight of doing everything alone crushed her.
When he finally called back, his voice was weary.
Hey, love. Sorry I missed youits been chaos.
James, Ive been ordered to Manchester for a week, she said bluntly. Jamies still not well enough for school. Can you come home?
A pause.
Emily, you know I cant. Were two weeks from project completion. Id love to, but
But you cant, she finished. As usual.
Dont start, irritation edged his words. Im not swanning about on holiday. Im working my arse off to provide for us.
So am I! she shot back. Except I also take care of Jamie, the house, your laundry, meals
Lets not do this now, he cut in. Im exhausted. Maybe your mum could come? Or ask Hannah next door to watch Jamie after school.
Easy for you to say, she whispered, fighting tears. Fine. Ill figure it out. Like always.
After hanging up, she sat frozen, staring at the TV. When had their life become this? When had they stopped being a team and turned into two exhausted strangers?
The next three days blurred by. Emily postponed the trip by a week, convinced her mother to come up from Kent, and resigned herself to James returning the night before she left.
Late Friday, she was still up preparing documents when her phone rang. James.
Emily, listen Im delayed two more days. Unforeseen issues.
What? Her stomach dropped. James, I leave Sunday! We agreed!
I know! But Ive got no choiceits this or losing the bonus. Thats serious money, Em.
And me carting Jamie to Manchester doesnt matter? She kept her voice low, not to wake her mother or son.
Your mums already there, isnt she? Cant she stay a bit longer? Ill be back Tuesday.
Mums seventy-one, James! She can barely walk with her arthritis! Her grip on the phone whitened her knuckles. Shes waited two months for her hospital appointment on Monday!
Then ask Hannah or hire a sitter, he snapped. I dont knowfigure it out! I cant be in two places at once!
But I can? Her voice trembled. When was the last time you took responsibility for Jamie? For the house? For me?
Im killing myself to give you both everything! he exploded. What more do you want?
For you to be here, she said quietly, tears falling. Just here, when it matters. But I guess thats too much.
She hung up and buried her face in her hands. What now? Cancel the trip and risk her job? Leave Jamie with her frail mother? Hire a stranger?
Exhausted, she dozed off at the table and woke with a stiff neck at 2:30 a.m. She needed to set an alarm but had left her phone in the lounge. Spotting Jamess phone on the nightstandhed forgotten it in his rushshe picked it up.
*Just check the time.*
The screen lit up: 2:37. A notification appeared.
*Darling, thank you for tonight. See you at mine tomorrow, as usual. Love, M.*
Her fingers went numb. This couldnt be real. Not James. Not after everything.
Hands shaking, she unlocked itthe passcode was Jamies birthday. The messages left no doubt. Hed been seeing this woman for six months. His business trips were often lies. He wasnt in Edinburgh. He was here, in London, with *her*.
She sat on the bed, hollow. Fifteen years of marriagefifteen years of lies.
The photos showed a woman in her thirties, red-haired, beautiful. Far more beautiful than Emilytired, greying, lined with stress.
Another message popped up: *Not replying? Must be asleep. Sweet dreams, handsome.*
Rage surged. Her first instinct was to call him, scream, shatter his deceit like hed shattered her.
But no. She needed to see his face when he answered for this.
Instead, she called her best friend.
Hannah? Im so sorry its late. Can you watch Jamie tomorrow? I need to go away.
Emily? Whats happened?
Ill explain later. Its family stuff.
She packed a bag. The address was in his messagesa flat in central London, rented for business meetings. Now she knew the real purpose.
The next morning, after leaving Jamie with her mother and arranging for Hannah to come, she took a taxi. The driver eyed her pale face but stayed silent.
The apartment was modern, sleek. The concierge let her in when she said she was Jamess wife.
The door opened to *her*the woman from the photos. Silk robe, perfect hair.
Who are you?
Emily. Jamess wife.
The womanMiaflinched.
Hes not here.
I know, Emily stepped inside. But hell come later, right? As usual, according to your text.
The flat was immaculate. Two wine glasses. A half-empty bottle. Jamess shirt on the sofathe one shed bought him.
Did he tell you our marriage was over? Emily asked. That we stayed together just for Jamie?
Mia looked down. Yes.
Classic liars script. Emily laughed bitterly. Was he attentive? Charming? Always making time for you?
Mia nodded, uneasy.
Funny. He never had time for me.
The door opened. James stood frozen, flowers in hand.
Emilywhat are you?
I saw your messages, she said calmly. You forgot your phone.
He paled. I was going to tell you after your trip.
Tell me what? That were just housemates? That youve been unhappy for years?
We *have* been! His voice cracked. When was the last time we talked? Went out? *Touched*? Youre always working or with Jamie!
She flinched. Was he right? Had she pushed him away?
Mia stood. I should go.
No, Emily said. This is your home. *Yours*. Im leaving.
James grabbed her arm. Wait. Think about Jamie.
Dont. She wrenched free. You dont get to use him now.
In the lift, she finally cried. Fifteen years, gone.
Outside, the cold air stung her lungs. What now? Go back? Leave? Fight or walk away?
She didnt know. Only that life would never be the same.
Pulling out her phone, she called her boss.
Mrs. Thompson? About the trip. Yes, Ill go. Today, if needed. Sometimes running forward was easier than looking backespecially when all that remained behind you were ruins.
