Hey love, let me tell you what went down last night.
Ill give her a ring, Andrew muttered, halfhiding behind the kitchen doorway. Your lover called. She sends her regards, Emily shouted from the other side of the stove, never taking her eyes off the pan where something familiar sizzled the sort of comfort food youd expect after twentyfive years together.
Andrew froze on the kitchen threshold. Twentyfive years a whole life flashed before his eyes in an instant. The house keys slipped from his fingers, clattered onto the floor with that harsh, tinny clang that seemed to cut straight through the silence
What are you talking about? A lover? His voice trembled, spilling all the fear and turmoil of the past months. He felt the ground give way beneath him.
Olivia. Your assistant, I think? Emily finally turned, arms crossed over her chest. Shes young, about twentyfive. Says shes been with you for four months now. Congrats, love!
The hurt in her eyes was so raw Andrew wanted to sink into the floor or just wake up like it was all a nightmare he could snap out of.
Emily, Ill explain he started, but the words stuck in his throat.
Explain what? How you were having fun with your secretary while I was waiting for doctor appointments? Or how you lied, saying you were stuck at work? she laughed hoarsely. The frying pan sputtered, and the smell of burnt meat filled the kitchen. Emily flicked the gas off, as if that could stop the pain, the bitterness, the betrayal.
You know whats the worst? she whispered, voice dropping to a breath. I saw right through it. All your late night meetings, the endless calls, the trips. I believed you, like a fool!
Emily, listen Andrew stepped forward, but she slammed her hand out, erecting an invisible wall.
Dont come any closer! tears flashed. Lord, this is disgusting twenty years wasted!
Stop it, he tried to hold his voice steady. Lets just talk. Its complicated.
Complicated? Emily laughed again, but it was a sob wrapped in a giggle. Whats complicated? Youve got a young lover. Shes moved in. And me? she snapped, voice breaking, Im just an old woman who cant have kids, right?
Dont say that! he leaned in, trying to hug her.
Emily twisted away, her skin flaring like itd been burned. In the next heartbeat a sharp slap cracked the kitchens hush.
Get out, she hissed, voice trembling. Get out of my house. If she could give you what I couldnt
Emily
Out you go! she grabbed the salt shaker and flung it at him.
He stepped back, the salt spilling across the floor, the white crystals catching the lamps glow. Bad omen, he thought.
Ill give her a ring, he muttered again, backing towards the door.
Emily turned to the window, shoulders shaking as if from cold, though the night outside was already warm.
In the hallway, pulling his coat on too quickly, he heard muffled sobs. His hand froze on the doorknob. What could he possibly say? How could he justify the betrayal?
The front door slammed shut. The empty flat fell dead silent except for the ticking of the weddinggift clock his parents had given him ticking away twentyfive years of shared moments.
Emily sank into a kitchen chair, eyes landing on the scattered salt. They say that brings bad luck, she mused, then burst into a hysterical laugh. It was absurd how her life seemed to crumble like those crystals on the dark floor.
His phone buzzed in his coat pocket. A text from an unknown number popped up: Sorry. I didnt mean for any of this. Olivia.
Wretch, Emily whispered, clenching the phone. Little bitch
Rain began to patter against the window, the first drops drumming on the sill like someone playing a sad tune on an invisible xylophone.
She stood, grabbed a broom and dustpan, and while she swept up the salt she thought, Did I even ask if shes expecting a boy or a girl?
She paused, the dustpan tight in her grip. The rain, the ticking clock, the salt all blurred together, a relentless stream of little details that now felt like the whole of her life.
Back in his car, Andrew stared at the screen. Fifteen missed calls from his mother of course, she was calling his inlaw, always doting on the daughterinlaw.
What now? he asked his reflection in the rearview mirror. A weary 45yearold man stared back, judging him.
The phone buzzed again. Olivia. The name glowed on the screen.
Yes, love he whispered.
Where are you? her voice trembled, on the verge of tears. I was so scared she was terrifying!
Who? Andrew asked, confused.
Your wife! She showed up at my work, caused a scene
What? When? he snapped upright.
An hour ago Olivia sobbed, She screamed in the office that shed broken our family, threw papers at me it was the results of her scans.
He dropped his head onto the steering wheel, groaning.
I didnt know Olivia continued, voice shaking. I truly didnt know you couldnt have children. I thought you just didnt want them
I knew and I still
Come over, she pleaded. Im scared alone.
Im on my way, he muttered.
He turned the key, but before the engine could roar, his phone rang again. This time his mother.
Yeah, Mum.
Ah, you wretched dog! she shouted, voice booming. What have you done? Lost your conscience?
Mum
Shut up! Emilys a mess, crying herself to sleep. After all these years, and youve gone and?
Mum, I
Im done with you! Until you sort yourself out, dont even think of coming back!
She slammed the handset. Andrew let the phone drop onto his lap, suddenly feeling absurdly heavy. The car engine hummed faintly.
He glanced at Emilys house warm lights spilling out, but he couldnt go there. He couldnt go anywhere.
He switched the ignition off. The car sighed, then fell silent. He sat there, alone in a deafening quiet.
A short buzz sounded from the phone.
Bloody hell he hissed, pounding the steering wheel until his fingers ached.
Another message pinged: Divorce papers will be ready in a week. Collect your stuff this weekend. Im leaving.
He read it over and over. Divorce. Everything. Twentyfive years, shattered.
A fresh call came in Olivia.
Are you coming? My tummy hurts
On my way! he shouted, yanking the wheel as if it could tear him out of this nightmare.
Rain hammered harder, wipers struggling, the city blurring into grey streaks.
His phone buzzed again likely Mum again. He didnt even look. It didnt matter; everything was falling apart.
A year ago Olivia had joined his firm as an intern bright, full of hope, eyes shining like Emily once did back in university. A corporate party, a playful touch, and suddenly he was whisking her to restaurants, buying flowers, falling in love as if he were a teenager again. Hed even rented a flat just for their secret meetings, watching her glow with happiness, dreaming of a future.
Fool, he thought, staring at the wet road. Old fool.
The phone rang again.
Its not Olivia, Emilys voice cut in, strangely calm. I did a test. Guess what? Im also expecting.
Everything seemed to freeze. A sudden screech, a crash, darkness.
Heart attack, the doctor said flatly. Plus a traumatic brain injury. Condition critical.
Emily stood by the ICU window, watching the man tangled in wires and tubes. Olivia sat beside her, tiny hand pressed to her cheek, soft sobs escaping.
Stop wailing, Emily snapped, not looking up. This isnt a drama.
Sorry Olivia whispered, wiping tears. Its just a baby
Right, a baby with no dad. How quaint. And Im without a husband. Lovely, isnt it?
Are you? Olivias voice faded, eyes shifting to Emilys barely visible belly.
Got knocked up too? Emily grinned. Twentyfive years of nothing and nowboom! Probably nerves.
The monitor hummed gently. Rain tapped the windows, a steady reminder that life went on outside this white room.
Emilys voice softened. I loved him from day one, back when he was a skinny lad with glasses. Everyone laughed, asked what I saw in him. I saw the real him
Olivia stared at a curtain, fingers pulling at the fabric as if it held some answer.
Then the wedding, Emily went on, rings, veil, the whole shebang. His mother even said, Good, a nice daughterinlaw. And I ended up broken.
Dont say that, Olivia murmured, voice like rustling leaves.
How else to put it? Emily snapped. You know how many doctors Ive seen? How many procedures? He kept telling me dont worry, love, well manage without kids. He was lying. Straight up.
He loves you, Olivia said, but the words fell flat.
Even when he? Emily laughed bitterly. He was a cheat, a liar.
Olivia flinched, covering her stomach. I thought we loved each other, she whispered.
And Im? Emily sneered, just a nasty, careerdriven wife? Childless?
No! Olivia protested, stammering.
Know whats funny? Emily interrupted. I almost get you. Young, in love, lost your head chasing a successful man. I was that once. Except the man is my husband.
Andrew shifted slightly in his hospital bed. Both women leaned forward, but then fell silent.
What do we do now? Olivia asked.
What will you do? Emily sighed, rubbing her chest. Andrew will have two heirs or heirs. Does it matter?
And him? Olivia asked, eyes searching.
Hell choose, Emily said, a wry smile forming. Old wife with baggage or young lover with a baby bump. Im not fighting for anything.
Then whats left for us? Olivia whispered.
Nothing, Emily said, looking straight at her. Twentyfive years belong to me. You jumped onto a train that isnt yours. Its not your station.
A nurse coughed softly from the doorway.
Sorry, visiting hours are over.
Right, of course, Emily said, standing. Lets grab a cuppa. Ill show you where the tea machine is. Weve got a long night ahead.
A week later Andrew finally opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was his wife sitting beside his bed, hand gently resting on his stomach. Emily? he croaked, voice hoarse.
She flinched, eyes widening. Well, love, show up? I thought youd be up there, flirting with angels.
Sorry.
Dont start, Emily snapped. Ive got a lawyer. I wont split the flat you can keep the car if you like. Ive quit my job.
What? Andrew tried to sit up, panic rising. Why?
Im moving back to the countryside, to my parents place. Cleaner air, better for the baby.
Emily, please
Its necessary, Andrew. Ive realized I was a fool for believing you. Not because I trusted you, but because I was terrified of life without you.
I love you, he whispered, as if the words could change anything.
You love? Emily nodded, not meeting his gaze. Sure, in your own way. Like a habit, a part of life. I dont want to be just a habit, understand?
She stood, shook off her dress as if shedding a weight that wasnt hers.
Olivia visited daily, crying, saying shed give up all claims. Silly thing I gave her a good gynaecologists number and a realtor to find a bigger flat. Onebedroom wont do for a baby, after all.
You what? Andrew stammered, eyes wide.
Whats the big deal? she shrugged. Were in the same boat now. Actually, same row. Funny, isnt it? All those empty years, and now suddenly two kids. They say misfortune never comes alone. Neither does happiness.
Thunder rolled outside, the first spring storm, tearing the day into pieces.
Dont linger, Emily leaned down, kissing his forehead lightly, Ive called a taxi, sent my things. Sign the divorce papers when you feel better where else are you rushing to?
Emily
You know, she paused at the door, turning back, I really did love you. To the point of madness, shaking. Now it feels like a breath of fresh air. Thanks for that.
She closed the door softly. The faint scent of her perfume lingered the same one hed given her every anniversary.
Andrew stared out the window where the spring storm mixed rain with a hint of snow. In that damp March town, two women now carried his children in their hearts. Two different worlds, but somehow linked by his tangled story.
He thought, I wonder if theyll ever be friends or forever share this mess?
