Youre not his wife, said the mother-in-law, taking the photo off the wall.
“Emily, love, can you help Nanny find her keys? I cant seem to find them anywhere!” Annas voice trembled with frustration.
Emily looked up from her phone, watching her grandmother fussing in the hallway, holding onto the doorframe, her eyes darting around.
“Nanny, theyre right therein your hand!” she laughed.
“Oh, goodness me!” Anna chuckled, though it sounded forced. “Emily, wheres your mum?”
“She took little Jack to nursery. Said shed be back soon,” Emily replied before turning back to her screen.
Anna nodded, walked into the living room, and stopped in front of the wall of family photos. Her gaze lingered on one in a silver frameOlivia in her white wedding dress, glowing, standing beside Daniel in his sharp suit. Their wedding photo, hanging there for eight years.
She reached up, lifted the frame off the wall, turning it over in her hands before sighing and carrying it to her room.
“Nanny, whyd you take the picture down?” Emily called from the hallway.
“Just needed a dust,” Anna replied, though her voice wavered.
In her room, she sat on the edge of her bed, the photo resting on her lap. Olivia had looked so beautiful that day. And Daniel, so young, so in love. Now? Now everything was different.
The front door clickedOlivia was back. Anna quickly tucked the photo into her dresser drawer and walked into the kitchen.
“Anna, hows everything? Jacks been an absolute terror todaytantrums all morning,” Olivia said, shrugging off her coat and draping it over a chair. “Wait, wheres our wedding photo? It was right here.”
“Which one, dear?” Anna asked innocently, filling the kettle.
“The one from our wedding. Did you take it down?”
Anna set the kettle on the stove and turned to face her. Olivia stood straight, arms crossed, eyes sharp.
“I did.”
“Why?”
“Because, love, its time you faced the truth. Youre not his wife anymore.”
Olivia paled, sinking onto a stool.
“What are you talking about?”
“Eight years, Olivia. Eight. And you still act like a bride. That wedding dress is still hanging in your wardrobeI saw it yesterday when I was putting away the laundry. And you polish that photo every day like its some treasure. But life moves on, love.”
Olivia clenched her fists but stayed silent.
“I dont understand what youre getting at.”
“Daniel called this morning. Early, before you were up. Said we all needed to have a serious talkyou, me, him.”
“A talk about what?” Olivia whispered.
Anna sat across from her, taking her hands.
“Olivia, darling, I love you like my own daughter. You know that. Emily calls you Mum, Jack adores you. But Daniel hes still young. Thirty-two. Do you really think hell stay alone forever?”
Olivia yanked her hands free.
“Were married! We have children together! What do you mean, not his wife?”
“On paper, yes. But when was the last time he came homenot to see the kids, but to be with his wife? A month ago? Two?”
“He works so much. Always traveling…”
“Oh, Olivia.” Anna shook her head. “He works, alright. Just not where you think. I saw him last week near that new shopping centre. With a womanyoung, pretty. Arm in arm, laughing. The moment he spotted me, he turned red, started babbling about colleagues and meetings. But you cant lie with eyes, love. A man in love? They shine differently.”
Olivia stood, walking to the window. Rain drizzled outside, grey clouds hanging low over the rooftops.
“So youre saying I should just quietly accept it? Step aside?”
“Im saying you need to ask yourselfare you happy? Do you want to keep living like this?”
“And the kids? Emily starts school next year, Jacks still little. How do I explain that Daddy doesnt live with us anymore?”
“And how do you explain it now? That he sleeps in the guest room? That hes home once a month? That you two barely speak?”
Anna stood, wrapping an arm around Olivias shoulders.
“Emily already knows. Yesterday she asked me why you and Daniel dont hug like her friend Lucys parents. What was I supposed to say? That its some grown-up game?”
“I dont know,” Olivia whispered. “I dont know what to do.”
“But I do. Ive lived a long life, seen plenty. Love, Oliviait either is, or it isnt. You cant fake it, just like you cant fake happiness. You and Daniel are good people. Just not for each other. It happens.”
Just then, four-year-old Jack burst into the kitchen, cheeks flushed, hair messy.
“Mummy, Mummy! Nanny Anna said Daddys coming today! Is it true? Is he?” He clung to Olivias arm.
“Yes, sweetheart. Daddys coming.” She lifted him into a hug.
“And hes staying? Forever?”
Olivia glanced at Anna, who turned back to the window.
“I dont know, Jack. Daddy will explain.”
The boy nodded, wriggled free, and ran off to tell Emily the “big news.”
“See?” Anna said softly. “Kids live on hope. And hope that never comes true? Thats worse than the truth.”
Olivia sat back down, covering her face.
“Eight years ago, I was sure wed be happy forever. Remember how Daniel courted me? Flowers every day, reciting poetry. Said he couldnt live without me.”
“I remember. He adored you.”
“So what changed? What did I do wrong?”
“Nothing, love. Life just isnt a fairy tale. Daniel married a bright, laughing student. Now he lives with a woman buried under chores and exhaustion. Kids came, money got tight, he worked more, you grew tired. Remember how you used to greet him? Hair done, smiling. Then it became a dressing gown and complaintslate again, forgot the milk, Jacks poorly and youre away.”
“But I tried!” Olivia choked. “I kept the house, raised the kids, looked after you when you were ill! I did everything for this family!”
“For the family, yes. But you forgot the woman inside you. And Daniel felt that. Men, Olivia, need more than a housekeeper or a mother to their children. They need a woman who loves themjust because.”
The kettle boiled. Anna stood to make tea, hands shaking slightlythis was hard.
“I do love him,” Olivia whispered.
“Do you? Or is it just habit?”
Olivia went quiet. When had she last been glad to see Daniel? When had she last asked about his day, his worries, his dreamsnot just bills or groceries?
“Maybe he really has met someone someone who makes him happy,” she said slowly.
“He has. Her names Claire. Works at his firm. Divorced, no kids. Daniel told me himself after I cornered him about seeing them together.”
“And what did he say?”
“Said he never meant for this to happen. That he loves you and the kids, but differently. The kids as their dad. You as a dear friend. But her? He loves her as a man loves a woman.”
“So its decided, then?”
“Nothings decided. Hes torn, Olivia. Terrified of losing the kids, of hurting you. But he cant keep living like this either. Says he feels like a stranger in his own home.”
Laughter floated in from the living roomEmily and Jack playing. Olivia smiled faintly at the sound.
“I dont feel like a wife anymore. Just a house manager. Making sure everythings clean, kids fed, bills paid. When Daniels here, I dont want romanceI want help. Can you watch the kids while I shop? Fix the tap?”
“Exactly. Youve become business partners. Not lovers.”
“But what else could I do? The kids are little, theres no time, Im exhausted by bedtime. When was I supposed to play the doting wife?”
Anna set a steaming cup in front of her.
“Try to remember how it was at the start. When you first met.”
Olivia took a sip. The tea was strong, warming.
“We met at my friend Sophies birthday. He worked at a different company back thenalways smiling, joking. Walked me home, we talked about books and films. He told me how he wanted to start his own business; I talked about working at the nursery. It felt like we understood each other without words.”
“And then?”
“Then he started coming by every day. We went for walks, cafés, cinema. Id wait for his calls, buy new dresses, do my hair. Felt like the most beautiful girl alive when he looked at me.”
“But after the wedding?”
Olivia frowned, thinking.
“Not sure when it changed. Slowly. We moved here to be near youDaniel said it was temporary, till we bought our own place. Then Emily came. I was on maternity leave, he worked late. When he got home, Id hand him the babyI needed a break! But he was shattered, just wanted dinner and telly. We talked less. Then only about kids and money.”
“And my aches and pains,” Anna added. “Im no picnic eitheralways some ailment. You both treat me like a patient.”
“We care about you!”
“I know, love. And Im grateful. But care and love arent the same. You can care out of duty. Love comes from the heart. Daniel noticed the difference.”
Olivia stood by the window. Kids were playing football outside, the ball splashing through puddles.
“So Im a bad wife?”
“Not bad. Just lost. Tired. I remember when you first came hereso full of life. Daniel couldnt take his eyes off you. Now? Its like youre sleepwalking.”
“What choice do I have? The kids need me, the house, work soon”
“Olivia, do you even want Daniel back? Truly?”
“Of course! How can you ask that?”
“Then why havent you called him first in three months? Why dont you ask where he is, if he misses home? Why do you greet him with a shopping list, not a kiss?”
Olivia turned. Annas eyes werent judgingjust sad.
“Im scared.”
“Of what?”
“That if I try to be that woman again and he leaves anyway itll hurt more. Easier to just accept hes gone.”
“Thats rubbish! Hes your husband, the father of your children. If you wont fight for him, who will?”
Emily appeared in the doorway, far too serious for her age.
“Mum is it true Dad wont live with us anymore?”
Olivia and Anna exchanged glances.
“Whered you hear that, sweetheart?” Olivia asked carefully.
“Im not deaf! I hear you and Dad arguing. Hear him tossing in the guest room. Jack cried yesterday, said Dad doesnt love him.”
“Emily, love” Anna started.
“Nanny, dont. Im not little. Just tell me the truthis Dad leaving us?”
Olivia knelt, pulling her close.
“Emily, Dad loves you and Jack more than anything. But sometimes grown-ups have problems they need to fix.”
“Are you getting divorced?”
“I dont know yet. Maybe.”
“And if you do, do we live with you or Dad?”
“With me, of course!” Olivia blurted, then caught herself. “I mean well talk about it. Properly.”
Emily nodded, too wise.
“Okay. Can I tell Jack? He keeps asking when Dads moving back.”
“Go on.”
Once shed gone, Olivia sat back down.
“Shes so clever. And Jackhe senses things too.”
“Kids always do. They need honesty. Not a pretend family.”
“Anna what if I really try? To be that woman again? Maybe its not too late.”
Anna squeezed her hand.
“Love, I want you happy. Daniel too. The kids. But forced happiness isnt real. If youre ready to fight for your marriagefight. Just know it might not work. And thats okay.”
“Ill try. What if it does work?”
Anna smiled. “Then well celebrate. But start with yourself. When did you last get your hair done?”
“Cant remember. Months?”
“There you go. Go today. Ill mind the kids. Wear something nicenot those old jeans. Show Daniel the womans still there.”
“What if he says its over? That hes made his choice?”
“Then at least youll know you tried. And the kids will tooMum fought for us. That matters.”
Olivia stood, catching her reflection in the hallway mirror. She looked tired. Hair undone, face pale, clothes shapeless.
“You know what? Ill go. Get my hair done. When Daniel comes tonight, well talk. Really talk.”
“Good girl. Ill keep the wedding photo for now. If things work out, it goes back up. If not well. Maybe it was time.”
Olivia paused at the door.
“Anna what about you? If Daniel and I split, the kids stay with me. Youd lose them.”
Anna shook her head.
“Emily and Jack will always be mine. And youyoure like a daughter to me. If Daniels found love, Ill understand. But I want everyone happy.”
“Thank you. For being honest.”
“Go on, then. Ill tell the kids Mums off to get pretty.”
That evening, Olivia looked different. Fresh haircut, a dress she hadnt worn in years, even a bit of makeup. The kids gasped.
“Mum, you look like a princess!” Jack beamed.
“So pretty!” Emily agreed.
Daniel arrived at eight. He froze in the doorway, staring.
“Hi,” Olivia said softly.
“Hi. You you look beautiful.”
“Thanks.”
The kids swarmed him, chattering about their day. He listened, hugged them, but Olivia saw the tension in his shoulders.
After dinner, once the kids were occupied and Anna had tactfully retreated, they sat alone in the kitchen.
“Your mum said you wanted to talk,” Olivia began.
“Yeah. Olivia, I this is hard.”
“I know about Claire.”
Daniel flinched.
“You do?”
“Your mum told me. Daniel, I wont shout or beg. Just tell medo you want our marriage to end?”
“I God, Olivia, I dont know!” He stood, pacing. “Im so tangled up. The kids, you, this house But Ive remembered what its like to be happy. Not just when I see the kids, but every day.”
“And you cant be happy with me?”
“I dont know. Honestly. We havent been husband and wife in so long. Just parents, housemates. Sometimes I think were strangers living together out of habit.”
Olivia nodded.
“Ive thought that too. And today I realizedwe both let it happen. You stopped being my husband; I stopped being your wife. We became roles, not people.”
“So what now?”
“What do you want?”
Daniel sat across from her, meeting her eyes.
“Truth? I want to try again. With you. Not pretending nothings wrongproperly. Like two adults wholl work at it.”
“And Claire?”
“Ill talk to her. Tell her Im giving my family a chance.”
“And if it doesnt work? If were really not right?”
“Then we divorce. Cleanly. No blame. Stay friends for the kids.”
Olivia reached across the table. Daniel took her hand.
“Okay. Lets try.”
The next morning, Anna entered the living room with a duster. She paused at the blank spot on the wall, thinking, then returned to her room for the photo.
Back in the living room, she rehung the wedding picture, stepping back to check it was straight.
Olivia stood in the doorway, coffee in hand.
“Put it back up?”
“I did. Too soon to take it down,” Anna said. “Well see how it goes.”
