What are you doing here? Emily asked, her voice edged with suspicion.
I’m back, as you can see, Victor grinned, gesturing at the duffel bags at his feet.
Since when? Emily tilted her head, bewildered. It’s been six months.
Emily, I cant just walk away! Victor exhaled heavily. The moment I thought Id abandoned you, my heart tore itself to shreds. It feels like its being ripped apart, watching you suffer like this!
Im suffering? Emily echoed.
At least I dont have to pretend in front of anyone, Victor snorted. You can spin your own story, say my leaving meant nothing, that youre fine!
I know how hard it is for you alone, with a child! he added, his tone softening.
Emily stared, a thoughtful hum escaping her lips.
Did you change the lock? Victor rattled the keyring. Its probably broken! Look, I didnt oil it in time, thats why it gave up!
Emily fell silent, unsure how to answer. The lift groaned as its doors opened on their floor.
Daddy? Sam asked, his voice trembling.
Yes, lad! Victor dropped into a hug. Im moving back in with you both. Come on, lets hug it out!
Sam hesitated, glanced at his mother, who gave a small nod.
Alright, Emily said, go ahead, well see.
Victor entered the flat with the confidence of a homeowner, yet he moved toward the kitchen like a guest.
A new key shelf now hung in the hallway, alongside a sleek shoe cabinet. The light fixture had been swapped, and the internal doors were fresh.
Emily walked past the bathroom, following Victor, and flicked a switch.
Whats that? Victor asked.
Remember how damp the bathroom always felt? Emily reminded him. I installed an extractor so I wouldnt have to leave the door ajar.
Its been about twenty minutes never mind! she brushed off. Tea? Coffee?
Make me a coffee, Victor said, perching on a stool.
The stool was brand new, too.
Emily pulled a capsule from its jar, dropped it into the machine, and pressed the button.
Ill just change my coat, she said with a smile.
No problem, Victor replied, waving a hand calmly.
Not only the stool and coffee maker had arrived; the pots were different, too. The tiles now framed the kitchen, replacing the cheap laminate Victor once stuck on. New towel hooks gleamed above the sink.
When Emily returned in her tracksuit shed previously been in houserobes Victors demeanor had shifted dramatically from the moment he first walked in.
And whos this? Victor snapped.
Who? Emily asked, confused.
Whos that man youve brought into the house? I need to know whos raising my son! And, by the way, were still not divorced!
Have a coffee, Emily said with a wry smile.
Look at her! Victor shouted. I came back out of pity! And now shes doing whatever, while I still have a living husband! Emily!
Drink your coffee! his voice turned into a command.
Ill pour this coffee over your head! Victor leapt up. Whats happening here? I demand answers!
***
Six months earlier, Emily had decided her life was over. The shock had been unbearable.
Emily, I think our marriage has run its course, Victor had declared. Theres no longer any feeling, no warmth left.
Theres nothing left that ever connected us. Living together only for Sam feels like a huge sacrifice! she had replied, voice shaking.
Should we divorce? she asked, fear creeping into her tone.
Lets not rush, Victor suggested. I could be wrong, terribly wrong. No divorce for now; lets just live apart.
I wont be dropping by, but if you truly need me, call. Just dont keep ringing me! I might already have a new life!
Hed then brushed off alimony.
Dont go through the official channels; bureaucracy isnt worth it. Theyll cap you at fifteen hundred pounds a month.
Ill give you that for the next month, then Ill send it as my salary comes in. Were adults; we each have to support ourselves.
Ill still contribute for Sam. So, thats sorted. No hard feelings.
Emily felt adrift, caught between sky and earth. Nine years of what she thought was a happy marriage collapsed in an instant. She couldnt recall any warning signs; everything had seemed perfect.
Why had Emily concluded her life was over? Because, apart from the marriage, there was nothing else. Her independence had only begun after she earned her degree, waited for the perfect wedding, and then spent years as Victors shadow driving her to interviews, sorting paperwork, attending every prenatal appointment, even insisting on partnerbirth.
Victor had always surrounded Emily with love and care, even taking the newborn home from the hospital, and later sprucing up the flat with fresh paint and brandnew furniture. They were free of a mortgage; Emily had inherited a modest flat from a distant aunt, giving them funds for renovations.
Victor never shirked household duties; when Emily asked for help, he was there. Their families got along famously Emily was close with Victors mother and sister, and Victors parents were supportive.
When Sam grew older, Emily returned to work, and Victors schedule changed, so he stopped giving her rides. She learned to drive herself, received a car from her dad, and he even paid for her driving lessons. When the car needed a garage, she asked Victor for a lift, but he refused, citing the bias garages have against women. So she handled it alone, handing Victor the keys only when something broke.
Emily was never a burden; she managed the household, calling on Victor only when she truly couldnt cope. At work she earned respect, climbing two rungs up the career ladder in five years. Victor celebrated every promotion with pride.
Then, unexpectedly, he left. Emily felt lost, searching for his presence, and when it wasnt there, everything slipped through her fingers.
Her parents noticed her slump. Her mother grew anxious; her father, David Anderson, took charge and sat down with her.
Darling, life throws curveballs, he said gently. Its not a reason to give up. Its hard to understand, but you must keep moving.
Dad, everythings falling apart! Emily sobbed. I have no energy, no desire to do anything!
Love, weve always been here for you. Use your head, remember how smart you are. We raised you well; dont disappoint us.
His words, warm and encouraging, steadied her. She spent a month coasting, making no major changes, until something strange happened that lifted her spirits.
Imagine a math problem where you simply cross out a variable; Emily erased Victor from the equation and began solving anew. Cleaning didnt have to be daily; the house stayed tidy for four to seven days. Laundry reduced dramatically, the detergent bottle lasting three months. Cooking didnt need to be three hours a day; a meal every other day was enough, far less than before.
Money? She lost Victors salary, relying only on her wages and the £150 child support. Yet by months end, £250 remained. She wondered what shed missed, but everything balanced, and the house was comfortable.
Shed long wanted new doors in the rooms; now she could afford them. The hardware store sent two sturdy lads to haul away the old doors, install the new ones, and even sweep up after themselves. Emily imagined how much Victor would have fussed over this, how much shed have had to cajole him to replace the doors.
With cash in hand, she bought a key rack, a new hallway light, and a shoe cabinet. She considered inviting Victor to help assemble them, but remembered his request not to be pulled back.
A handyman for an hour? she mused. Why not?
A local tradesman arrived, listened, nodded, and within an hour declared the job done. In the bathroom he sprayed down the mould, joked about the lingering damp, and suggested installing a vent.
We have a duct already, we could fit an extractor and wire a switch, thirty minutes, a modest fee, he offered.
Could you do it tomorrow after lunch? Emily asked.
Easy, no drama, just pay and its sorted, he replied, sparking a cascade of plans for more improvements.
Sams school holidays arrived, so Emily took him to his grandmothers housenot hers, but Victors mothers. Despite Victors absence, there was no tension with the inlaws; they chatted about everything, even the latest celebrity gossip with Victors sister Kate.
Three days later Victor burst in, breathless, shouting:
Im back!
***
You could demand when you were husband, Emily snapped. Now just have your coffee and leave!
Im not going anywhere! Victor roared. Im still your husband! I came back for you, so you wouldnt disappear without me!
As you see, Emily said, smiling, you havent vanished. Youre only a paper husband now, but thats easy to fix. Thats what Ill do next.
Victor stared, bewildered, unable to grasp how his noble act of returning had only deepened the rift.
If you dont want coffee, get out, Emily waved dismissively, as if swatting a fly, I still have lessons to do with Sam!
The sudden chill between Emilys motherinlaw and sisterinlaw was obvious. Who would have told Victor that Emily hadnt burned herself out by his leaving? Theyd sent him to rescue her, only to find she was coping just fine.
