Veronica Clarke stared at the door, watching Ians mother stride out as the couple tried to make peace.
Mrs. Clarke, do you realise the complaints are piling up? This is the third this month! You cant keep working like this! the head nurse snapped.
Veronica stood in the charge nurses office, fists clenched, cheeks hot, a lump choking her throat.
Im doing everything by the book, Marian Stewart. That Crutchfield is nitpicking every little thing. Shes impossible, never satisfied.
Whether its her temperament or not, you must speak to patients with respect. Youre a nurse, not
Not what? Veronica cut in harsher than intended. Not a doormat that has to endure abuse?
Marian sighed, removed her glasses and rubbed her bridge of the nose wearily.
Veronica, I know youre going through a rough patch. Divorces are never easy. But you still have a job. Take some leave, get some rest. Im at a loss for how to protect you any longer.
Veronica left the office, fighting back tears. A rough patch as if a holiday would fix everything. It had been six months since Ian walked out, and the wound still festered. Each day was a trial: the ward, the empty flat that echoed with her own footsteps, the silence that pressed in on her.
In the staff break room Lucy, her only confidante, waited.
Got the news? Lucy asked, sympathetic.
Theyve offered me time off. Said Im on the edge.
Maybe you really should go somewhere, get away.
Veronica shook her head.
Where would I go? What would I spend it on? Ians alimony is a joke, and his mother has slipped me some ridiculous paperwork. She claims his earnings are tiny, yet the flat is in her name.
Youre a shrew, Veronica, Lucy muttered. I told you not to sign those papers.
Back then I thought we were a family. I never imagined he could be so callous.
Veronica poured herself tea from a thermos, sank onto a battered chair, hands trembling. She was exhaustedby the job, by the thoughts, by the relentless ache in her chest.
Lucy, am I really changing? Becoming angry?
Lucy leaned in, hand on Veronicas shoulder.
Youre just defending yourself. After twenty years with a man, he walks off with a younger woman, no children. Who wouldnt feel bitter?
I dont want to be bitter, Veronica broke, tears streaming. I just want a normal life, without this pain.
That night she trudged home on foot, saving on the bus fare. October was cold and drizzly; wet leaves stuck to her shoes, wind slipped under her coat collar. She stared at the pavement, lost in thought.
When Ian left, she could not believe it. It felt like a nightmare you wake from, expecting everything to return to normalhim hanging his coat by the hall, asking what was for dinner, her and his daily stories. But he never came back. Instead his mother, Nina Harris, appeared with a stack of documents and a frosty stare. She claimed Ian needed personal space, that Veronica had smothered him, that there was no love left. Veronica listened, barely recognising the woman shed called Mum for years.
The flat is legally mine, Nina said, tapping the table with her finger. But I wont evict you. Stay until you sort yourself out.
Ive lived here twenty years, Veronica whispered. We renovated together, bought the furniture
On my money, Nina interrupted. Remember, Ian is my son. Ill always stand by him.
Veronica fell silent, packed a bag, and moved into a cramped council flat on the edge of town. The place was dim, shared with an alcoholic neighbour and a communal kitchen that smelled of cats. It was hers, thoughno one could strip her of it.
Approaching the building she spotted a familiar car parked outsidea sleek black sedan Ian had bought half a year ago. Her heart clenched; he must be nearby. She climbed the stairs and heard voices. On the landing, Ian and Nina were arguing, arms flailing.
Veronica! Ian shouted the moment he saw her. Finally! Weve been waiting an hour.
She fumbled for her keys, ready to open the door, when Nina stepped in front of her.
Wait, we need to talk first.
Theres nothing to discuss, Veronica tried to keep her voice steady, though she trembled inside. Please, let us in.
Dont be like that, love, Ian stepped closer, looking older, tired, dark circles under his eyes, cheeks sunken. We came to make peace.
Veronica froze. Make peace? she repeated slowly.
Yes, Nina cooed, honeyed. Your son realised his mistake. This girl turned out to be after his money. Hes remorseful, wants to come back.
Come back? Veronica echoed, as if the words were a distant bell.
Were a family, Ian said, extending a hand, but she stepped back.
Lets talk inside, properly. Ill explain everything.
Explain what? Veronicas anger boiled over. What you did when you slipped out in the night, saying you loved someone else? Or how your mother threw me out of the home I gave my soul to?
Veronica, dont start, Nina warned, pursing her lips. We have good intentions.
Good intentions? Veronica laughed, a harsh, bitter sound that startled even herself. You came because your son was left alone. Because the girl he chased turned out to be smarter than me. You expect me to welcome him back? How absurd.
You dont understand, Ian began, but she cut him off.
I understand perfectly. Six months ago you told me Id suffocated you, that there was no love left, that you needed space. And you were right.
Veronica
No, let me finish. I smothered you for thirtyfive years, ironed your shirts, cooked your favourite meals, endured your mothers incessant meddling. I gave up my career because you wanted a housewife. I never had children, and I bore the blame of your mothers cruel words that I was defective.
I never said those things, Ians face went pale.
You didnt say them, but you stayed silent while your mother demeaned me. You stayed silent while I wept.
Nina exhaled dramatically.
Enough, Veronica. Stop dredging up the past. Ian is apologising. Isnt that enough?
Its not enough, Veronica stared Nina deadintheeyes. Do you know what Ive learned in these six months? I finally live for myself. Yes, Im poor, Im in a council flat, Im short on cash. But this is my life, and no one can tell me its wrong.
Maybe we should go in? Ian asked, glancing at the neighbours door where footsteps echoed. We dont want to be seen by strangers
Strangers? Veronica smirked. To you theyre strangers. To me theyre neighbours, and they treat me better than you and your mother have ever done.
How dare you! Nina snapped, rising. Ive been like a mother to you!
A mother never evicts her daughter, Veronica replied calmly. A mother never snatches away the roof over a woman who cared for her son for twenty years.
The flat is mine on paper!
On paper, yes. But not on conscience
Conscience is irrelevant. The law is the law.
Veronica nodded slowly.
Youre right. The law is the law. I ask nothingno house, no money, no apologies. Just leave and never appear in my life again.
Veronica, wait, Ian grabbed her wrist. I truly regret. I was a fool. That Christina
I dont care what her name was or why you left, Veronica snapped her hand free. It means nothing to me now.
But we were together for years! We had love!
We did, Veronica conceded. I loved. You loved convenience, perhaps. Habit.
She turned to the door, slipped the key into the lock. Her hands no longer shook. A strange calm settled over her, a peace that had been absent for months.
Ian, tell her! Nina pushed her son, shaking him. Dont stand there like a statue!
Mother, wait
I sat in traffic for two hours so this stubborn woman wouldnt throw us out! Youll regret this, Veronica! Men like my Ian are hard to find!
Veronica faced Ninas painted face, her expensive coat, the way she commanded her son. Then she looked at Ian, head bowed like a guilty schoolboy.
Youre right, Mrs. Harris, she whispered. Good men are hard to find. Thats why I wont look for any.
Youll regret it! Nina shouted, louder now. Who will you have at your age? Fortythree, youre past your prime. Youll live alone!
Perhaps, Veronica shrugged. But better alone than with those who never value you.
She opened the door, stepped through, and turned one last time.
Ian, I wish you no ill. Be happy, if you can, but not with me.
Veronica, stay
She shut the door, pressed her back against it, closed her eyes. Behind her, muffled voices, Ninas angry muttering, Ians quiet replies, the distant clatter of an elevator.
In her tiny flat, she slipped off her shoes, collapsed onto the bed. Silence wrapped her, but the loneliness was no longer frightening; it felt like a weight lifted.
Her phone buzzed. Lucys name flashed.
Hows it going? Managed that Crutchfield?
Veronica smiled as she typed back.
Handled her. And more.
She rose, walked to the window. Night had fallen, streetlights flickered, the city throbbed with lifecars, hurried strangers, the endless hum of London. She was part of it now, not anyones wife or daughterinlaw, just Veronica.
Morning light slipped through the thin curtains. She wondered whether yesterdays encounter had been real or a dream. It had been real. Ian and his mother had stood at her door, pleading for reconciliation, and she had turned them away.
She rose, did her exercises, a habit shed kept for the past six monthsmorning runs, a yoga class at the community centrenot to impress anyone, just for herself.
At work Lucy noticed a change.
You look radiant, she said. What happened?
Ian showed up with his mother, wanting to make peace.
And you?
Sent them off. Politely, but firmly.
Lucy hugged her.
Bravo. Im proud of you.
I lay awake all night, thinking. I realised Id spent twenty years living in his shadow, his mothers shadow, his choices. Id forgotten who Veronica is, what she wants.
What do you want now?
Veronica paused.
I dont know yet. But I wont go back to what was. It feels like breaking out of a cagescary at first, unfamiliar, then you realise you can fly.
Beautifully put, Lucy smiled. What if he comes back?
He wont. I saw his face. He expected me to roll over, thank him for returning. When that didnt happen, he was lost. Hes used to getting everything handed to him.
Later that day Veronica visited Marian in the charge nurses office.
Marian, about the leave. I think I really need a week off.
Of course, Veronica. Well arrange it for next week. Going somewhere?
To my sisters in the countryside. Its been ages.
Her sister, Gillian, lived in a small village three hundred miles away, a place Veronica hadnt visited in years. Work, the flat, Ianeverything had consumed her.
Gillian greeted her with open arms.
Veronica, love, so good to see you! Come in, come in!
The cottage was modest, wooden, warm, smelling of fresh pies and apples. A ginger cat purred on the hearth, geraniums lined the windowsill.
You look thinner, a bit pale, Gillian remarked, pouring tea.
Divorced, Veronica answered shortly.
Thank heavens! Gillian laughed, slapping the table. That Ian never suited you. Hes just a freckled lads son, a proper wretch.
Gillian!
Im telling you straight. You spent twenty years catering to him and his mother. When a new lover came along, they threw you out.
Veronica smiled at Gillians bluntness.
And you know the funniest part? They showed up trying to make peace after his new lover dumped him.
Did you send them packing? Gillian asked.
Right out the door.
Gillian nodded approvingly.
Good. Live for yourself now. Youre still young, beautiful. Lifes ahead.
Im fortythree, Gill. What life is left?
What, at fortythree does life end? My neighbour is fiftyeight and she just got married to a nice widower last year. Shes thriving.
Veronica spent ten days at her sisters, walking the woods, picking mushrooms, helping with chores. Gillian never pried about the past, just kept her company.
One evening they sat on the porch, sipping honeyed tea as the sun set, painting the sky pink.
Veronica, ever thought of moving here? Gillian asked suddenly.
To the village? Why?
Its quieter. My house is big enough. Theres a local clinic looking for nurses. Pays less than the city, but you wont have the stress.
Veronica considered it. A village, peace, no reminders at every corner.
I dont know. It feels like giving up my flat, my job, everything Ive known.
What would you be giving up? That council flat? A job that doesnt value you? A city where you might run into him?
Back in London, the council flat greeted her with stale air and a shouting neighbour. Work was unchanged: Crutchfield still complained, Marian still sighed. Lucy welcomed her back, but noticed Veronicas faraway gaze.
Whats on your mind? Lucy asked over lunch.
Gills offered me a place up north. Im thinking it might be an escape, or maybe exactly what I needstart over somewhere new.
Youll be okay with that? Lucy asked.
If I stay, Ill definitely regret it.
The decision struck her like a bolt. One evening, after a shift, she saw Ian outside a shop, arminarm with a young woman, laughing. She froze. Six months had passed since their stairwell showdown, and here he was, already with someone else. She laughed then, a wild, liberating sound that turned heads. She realized she didnt need his life, his apologies, or anyones validation.
The next day she handed in her resignation.
Are you serious? Lucy stared, disbelief evident.
Absolutely. Im heading to Gills. A new life.
What about your things?
Ive got a couple of suitcases, a bag. The rest Ill give away or toss.
Lucy embraced her.
Ill miss you. Promise youll call.
I promise.
Packing took a week. Two suitcases, a bagher whole world fit into those. She walked the city one last time, paused in the park where she and Ian once strolled, lingered at the building theyd called home, though it was never truly theirs.
On the bus, she watched the familiar streets recede, the city shrinking behind the window. The unknown lay ahead, but fear no longer clutched her.
At the bus station, Gillian waited.
Here for good? she asked.
For good.
Veronica finally let a genuine smile unfurl, free of bitterness, free of pain.
Life in the village was tough, but she never regretted the choice. She took a job at the local health centre, rented a tiny cottage near Gillians. Evenings were spent onAnd for the first time in years, Veronica finally felt at peace with herself.
