Emily slammed the suitcase against the hallway door, her breath ragged. Youre not living here any more. Were divorcing. Daniel stays with me, James said, his voice clipped, as he hauled the bags out onto the pavement.
She stood there, stunned, while James ever the easygoing sort brushed past her. Hell calm down, she told herself. Shell beg for forgiveness and life will go back to the way it was. Until then shell stay with her mum.
Emilys life had seemed perfect. Seven years ago shed left her mothers flat in Leeds, married the steadyasarock software developer James, and moved into his flat in Manchester.
Two years later she gave birth to their son Daniel, a boy James adored, spending every spare moment with him and encouraging Emily to climb the corporate ladder at her own trading firm.
Her career was soaring. Management prized her responsibility and drive, and after a monthlong business trip to London she was slated for the coveted departmenthead role a steppingstone, perhaps, to a senior post in the capital.
She even had a secret romance a handsome colleague, Michael, who could keep his tongue in check when needed.
Their meetings were infrequent, but enough to inject excitement into Emilys quiet marriage and make her feel desired.
Dont push your luck, Em, her mother Margaret warned, ever aware of her daughters affairs. James will never forgive you if he finds out. Daniel will grow up without a father.
Mind your own business, Mum! Emily snapped. Im careful. Besides, James loves me and trusts me completely.
Soon James began to suspect the late nights, and he disliked Emilys talk of moving to London. They argued a few times, but James always softened, and they reconciled quickly.
For a while Emily stopped seeing Michael, who grew irate at the sudden distance.
She assumed the young man was pining for more time with his beloved her but the reality was darker.
Whats with that sour look, Michael? Did she dump you? Emily overheard him arguing with a coworker, Vadim.
Enough already! Michael snapped. James is catching on! Did I waste a year chasing her?
Hed expected Emily to take him to London, maybe even promote her after his own departure. Instead shed chosen to stay put.
Come on, I thought you two were in love, Vadim chuckled.
What are you talking about? Michael sneered. Shes just an old hag!
Emilys blood boiled. An old hag? She was only three years younger than Michael. Youre a joke! she hissed.
The confrontation spilled onto the stairwell, unnoticed by anyone but the floor manager, Sir Richard Sinclair, who rounded the corner and froze.
Whats going on here? his voice boomed, making both men jump. Are you having a tryst in the office?
Michael opened his mouth, but Richard cut him off. Emily, I never expected this from you, he said, ignoring Michaels stammer. Ill have to rethink whether you get that promotion, let alone a transfer to London.
Sir Richard, its a misunderstanding, Emily stammered. Ill explain everything
Will you still have a place in this company, Michael? Ill decide that later, Richard replied coldly, turning away and leaving the pair reeling.
James lingered, contemplating. Emily was a valuable employee, a cofounder of the firms early days, while Michael had only joined a couple of years ago. They didnt fire him outright, but they moved him to a branch on the other side of town.
The vulgar parting words Michael had hurled at her haunted her, but she tried to forget both him and his insults.
A few days later, James met her at the office entrance, his tone icecold.
Late again? he asked, eyes narrowed.
Yeah, Emily replied, feeling no shame. Ive been dealing with a new client. She only halfnoticed the hostile glint in his gaze.
Earned yourself a raise? James sneered, slamming a stack of photographs on her desk.
The pictures showed Emily and Michael in a café, strolling down a street, exiting a hotel unmistakable proof of an affair.
She was tired of defending herself at work for a failed romance, and she hoped James would forgive so she confessed.
Only a few times, she said, I wanted to let off steam, get carried away, that sort of thing.
Jamess reaction shocked her. That night he retreated to Daniels bedroom, refusing to speak to her. The next morning he stripped her of her belongings, shoving them onto the hallway floor.
Youre not living here any more. Were divorcing. Daniel stays with me, he repeated, his voice as sharp as a knife.
Emily felt her world shatter, but she didnt argue. She simply gathered what she could and left.
James will cool off, she told herself. Shell apologise and things will go back. For now shed stay with her mother.
I told you, Margaret said, her tone sharp, then softened. Itll be alright. Its just terrible that Daniel will grow up without his mother.
Ill sort it out! Emily snapped, irritation flaring at the mention of her son. Vengeance simmered inside her, aimed at the only person who could have betrayed James Michael.
The next day Emily cornered Michael at his new office.
Here we go again, he muttered. Now I have to start over, prove to Sir Richard that Im still worth something.
So whos the culprit? Emily asked, bewildered.
Your guess is as good as mine, Michael shrugged. I didnt take those photos, you know. Printing them? Thats a thing of the past.
Before she could press further, James cut her off, refusing to hear any apologies. He filed for divorce and demanded she stop contacting Daniel. He even changed the locks, barring her from the flat.
My son doesnt need a mother like you, he snarled, stoneface. If you keep showing up, Ill strip you of parental rights, like a woman with no social responsibility.
Youve lost your mind! Emily shouted. James, can we talk like adults?
Her pleas fell on deaf ears.
Margaret tried to intervene, pleading not for forgiveness but for her grandsons access to his mother. James was polite but inflexible.
Emily threw herself into work, hoping Sir Richard would finally send her to London for the promotion shed dreamed of. She clung to optimism, believing the family could be mended.
Mom, celebrate with me! she burst into her mothers living room one evening, brimming with excitement. In a week Im off to the capital, and then she trailed off.
Margarets face twisted, not with joy but with exhaustion. She sank into a chair, covering her face, sobbing.
Mom whats wrong? Emily asked, frantic.
Whats wrong? Margaret snapped, eyes red. Youve decided to abandon me completely? You cant sit still, can you? You dont even think about your mother!
Mom, I still visit you twice a week, I even moved in temporarily Emily stammered.
Thank you ever so much, Margaret replied bitterly, waving a hand. Ive done a favour for my own mother! No one needs me She broke down again.
Mom, what are you doing? Emily pleaded.
I tried, I thought but look at this, Margaret muttered, her voice trembling.
A sudden realization hit Emily.
Mom, did you tell James about my affair? Did you take those photos? she whispered.
What else could I do? I was left alone, abandoned by everyone! I thought youd move in with Daniel and me, that wed all live together happily Who could have guessed? Margaret sobbed.
Emily stood in silence, then slammed her bag shut and walked out. She spent a few nights at a friends flat before finding her own place.
A month later James finally allowed her limited visits with Daniel. The three of them began to spend time together, and a fragile hope flickered that the family might one day be whole again.
