After the gym, Vicky hurried home, promising her husband Leon that she would whip up a hot fish soup. She slipped into the flat and found Leon perched at the kitchen table, a glass of red wine swirling like a sunset in his hand.
Wow, youve really gone fulltilt, havent you, Len? No patience to wait for me? she said, trying to keep a grin from cracking. Let me at least rustle up a starter.
Dont bother, Leon replied, his voice flat. Sit down, we need to talk.
Vicky had never seen her husband look so bewildered, as if a fog had settled over his mind. What on earth has happened? she asked, heart thudding.
Leons eyes darted, searching for a place to start. Ill just say it plain. My secretary, Katie, is pregnant with my child. Im leaving her.
Its like a bad soap opera, Vicky muttered, the words tasting like cheap tea. How long have you been with her?
About a year, Leon said, his voice drifting. From the moment she walked in she showered me with attentionyoung, pretty, livelyjust like you once were. I fell for her like a schoolboy. I wanted to tell you honestly but never had the courage. I feel sorry for you.
He paused, a sigh slipping out like smoke. Now theres nowhere to run. Were going to be parents. Ive always wanted a child of my own. Ian feels like my own son, even if not by blood. I need an heir to pass the business to, you understand? With Katie I feel younger, as if the midlife crisis finally caught mehave you heard of that?
Im a scoundrel, I admit. But I wont leave you or Ian emptyhanded, he continued. The flat, the carIll keep them for you, and Ill keep sending money, just as I promised for Ians schooling. Ive already bought a new house, put it in Katies nameshes going to be the mother of my child.
Vickys voice softened, the surreal scene feeling oddly calm. I get it, Len. Its hard to resist someone as striking as Katie, and youre a proper bloke. You cant abandon a childthats noble. Thanks for the financial help; I wont refuse it. I want to start travelling, live for myself.
When are you moving out? Want a hand with the boxes? Leon asked, bewildered by her composure.
Vicky smiled, as if a curtain had been lifted. Goodbye, my dear husband. Thanks for the years we shared; I was happy with you. Life has its script, and maybe Ill love someone new and be happy with another man. Now goKatie must be waiting, thinking Ive tangled her up like a spiders web.
Leon snatched his suitcases, forced a clumsy grin, and rushed to the lift. The doors hissed shut, and Vicky drifted to the kitchen, pulled a bottle of champagne from the fridge, popped it with a sigh, poured herself a full glass, and drank it down. Her husband had abandoned herhow absurd that sounded in the dreamlike haze.
She had never imagined this. All those years theyd lived peacefully, no raging love but a steady attachment, habit, respect. Yet there was no point in shedding tears. New life, new rules. She would find something to do, and Leon would still fund her. Refusing money now would be foolish; with it came more possibilities. She just had to get used to the new role of the abandoned.
The world spun, a whirl of fresh impressions. Vicky signed up for dance classes after work, spent weekends in museums, at the cinema, and back at the gym. She wasnt alone; her neighbour Ivy, a solitary soul, gladly kept her company.
Ian studied in another city and visited only rarely. Vicky was left to herself, cooking only what she liked, not bending to anyones taste. She pursued her passions freely; no one could forbid her. She didnt even think about a new man, and being on her own felt fine.
The divorce unfolded quietly, almost peacefully. In the courtroom hallway she caught a glimpse of Katiea striking beauty, the kind of woman whose husbands taste was clearly good.
Leon kept sending his monthly £transfer, just as he had promised. Vicky felt grateful for the generosity. She knew his business was thriving, that he could easily support her and Ian as a thankyou for the years theyd shared. Katie, it seemed, was unaware of this kindness and would probably never have approved it.
A year slipped by. Vickys routine stayed the samedance, gym, the occasional trip abroad. Leons payments stopped; Vicky felt uneasy asking why, suspecting perhaps Katie had ordered it. It didnt matter; she would manage. Ian earned well enough while at university to pay his own fees, and his salary covered his needs.
One lazy Sunday, Vicky boiled a pot of fish soup and realized she was out of bread, a staple she loved. She dashed to the bakery and, as if summoned by the dream, ran straight into Leon.
Len, what are you doing here? she asked.
Vicky, hi. Ive been living nearby bought a flat, he said, looking oddly calm.
Wow, thats news. And Katie? The baby? Vicky pressed.
A daughter, Leon replied, his voice dropping into a strange confession. Turns out Katie was a plant sent by a rival. She earned my trust, I fell for her, and then she tried to force me to transfer the business to her, fearing Id dump her. After the birth, in a rash moment, I signed everything over. I kept a secret stash of cash she never knew about. She kicked me out, the daughter isnt mine, the business went to the rival. I ended up in a messlike a bad melodrama.
He laughed hollowly. I bought this flat, found a job, and Im not starving, but my old life is gone. I cant help you any more. Sorry. You probably wont even want to speak to me now; Ive swapped you for this nightmare.
Vicky felt a pang of pity for him, despite his foolishness. Youre a fool, Len! she said, halflaughing. Come over, Ive just made the fish soup you love.
They sat together in the kitchen that had once seen years of shared meals, chatting about the weather and the news. They were no longer husband and wife, just two souls drifting in the same surreal tide.
Occasionally they phoned each other, never hinting at reconciling. Each had their own path. Vicky met a man at dance class, married him, and found happiness. She invited Leon to the wedding; he arrived, genuinely glad for her. At the reception he met the grooms sister, and months later Vicky and her new husband were dancing at his own wedding.
Life, she realized, is an unpredictable tapestry. Never let despair anchor you, never close the book on yourself, because you never know what tomorrow will bring. Just live, and cherish every sunrise.
