Hey love, youve got to hear whats been going on with me. It all started on a Tuesday morning. Simon was rummaging through the wardrobe, stuffing my things into that old leather suitcase weve had since our honeymoon, when he blurted out, While youre crashing at Mums, my sisters coming over.
I nearly lost it. You cant be serious! Its Tuesday, Lilys got school!
He just smiled, Your mum will pick her up after lessons, Ive already sorted it.
What did you sort? Without me? I asked, feeling the panic rising.
Natalie stood in the middle of our bedroom, watching Simon methodically pull sweaters, shirts, jeans out of the closet, not even glancing my way. His movements were rehearsed, like hed practiced this scene a hundred times.
Nothings happening, love, he said calmly. Irenes staying with us for a week, she needs her own room. She cant stand noise, and Lilys been blasting music all day.
Its Lilys room! Irene could stay in a hotel or even on the couch!
Simon finally met my eyes. There was a new coldness there, something Id never noticed before indifference.
On the couch? My sister in a hotel? Natalie, are you hearing yourself? This is my house, by the way.
My house, I whispered.
Mine, he snapped. Bought with my money. I decide who lives here.
My throat tightened. Twentythree years of marriage, twentythree years of running this place, raising Lily, cooking, cleaning, waiting for him after work. And now hes packing my things like Im a guest.
How long? I asked, voice shaking. How long do I have to live at Mums?
A week, maybe two. Irene hasnt decided yet. It all depends on how things go.
What things? Shes on holiday!
Simon slammed the suitcase shut, buckling the straps.
Not your business. Pack up, Ill drive you over in an hour.
He left the room, leaving me standing in the middle of our bedroom. I slumped onto the edge of the bed, staring at that battered suitcase the same one wed taken on our honeymoon. Back then it was shiny, full of my dresses and his shirts. Now its being used to kick me out of my own home.
Mum met me at the front door with that sour look she always has.
Well, look who finally showed up, she said.
Mum, please, I muttered, dragging the suitcase inside.
She sneered, I told you it would end like this. I warned you when you married him, when we bought the house in his name. Listen to your mother!
Margaret, seventytwo, is a woman of strict rules and even stricter judgments. She still has a sharp mind and a hard edge that sometimes feels over the top.
Mum, Ill just stay the night. It wont be long.
Sure, I know those fairy tales. First a week, then a month, and before you know it youre filing for divorce. Your sisters arrived, you know which one the one who was here five years ago?
I didnt answer. I headed to the spare bedroom, now turned into Mums wardrobe and a stack of magazines. The narrow single bed from my teen years was still there.
Have a cuppa, Mum softened a bit. You look pale. No breakfast?
Im not hungry.
Ten minutes later I was at the kitchen table with a strong coffee and a toast, Mum opposite me, eyes fixed on me.
Somethings up, she said. He wouldnt just push you out for no reason.
He didnt push me out, he just asked to stay at your place.
Natalie, Im seventytwo, but Im not losing my mind. Men dont just throw their wives out. Theres always another woman or money trouble.
He doesnt have another.
How do you know? You sit at home all day. Hes at work from dawn till dusk. Did you check his phone?
Mum!
What, mum? Youre so naive. Always have been, always will be.
I finished my coffee and got up.
I need to drop Lily at school. Shes out at three.
Simon said hed pick her up.
Ill do it myself.
Lily, fifteen, is my mirror: chestnut hair, grey eyes, that stubborn little curl at the corner of her mouth. She came home from school with her friends, laughing, but when she saw me her face fell.
Mum? Wheres dad? He was supposed to pick me up.
Ive decided, I said, hugging her shoulders. Lets go talk.
We walked through the crisp autumn park and I explained the whole mess staying with Grandma, Aunt Irenes visit, that it was only temporary.
He kicked you out, Lily said bluntly.
No, its just
Mum, Im fifteen, not five. I get it. Hes kicked you out and me too.
Dont say that.
Lily turned to face me, eyes burning.
How else to say it? The truth. Ive noticed hes been acting weird for a month. Hides his phone, disappears at night. You didnt see any of that?
Im not blind or deaf.
Two nights ago I heard him talking in the bathroom for an hour, laughing like he was with someone. He thought we were asleep.
I froze.
What was he talking about?
I didnt catch the words, just his tone. He was laughing. When was the last time you heard your dad laugh like that?
I had no answer.
In Mums flat we ran into Margaret, whod already made two beds and set a dinner.
I love beetroot soup, roast potatoes and meatballs, she chirped. Well eat, then Ill put on a good love movie.
Grandma, Ill just stay in my room, Lily said, dropping her backpack. Ive got homework.
What homework on a day off? You should be relaxing!
Lily slipped away to the far room, leaving Mum and me alone.
She understands everything, Margaret whispered. You cant hide anything from her.
We ate in silence. The soup was thick and comforting, just like Mum makes it. But I forced each spoonful down.
Give him a call, Mum suddenly suggested. Ask about his sister. Let him know youre not giving up.
I dont want to.
You have to. You cant let a man run free.
I didnt call that night, nor the next. I kept busy with chores, helped Mum, collected Lily from school. Life felt stuck, waiting.
On the third day my friend Olivia rang.
Natalie, where have you disappeared to? Ive called you a hundred times!
Sorry, my phone was on silent.
Listen, is it true Simons with some other woman?
I went quiet.
What? Where did you hear that?
Olivia saw them at the new restaurant on High Street. She says they were holding hands, he kissed her. She thought it was his sister, but it was a young woman, maybe thirty.
What restaurant?
The fancy one on the corner, the one we never go to because its pricey.
I hung up, my hands shaking. It seemed my mum and Lily were right. He had someone else.
Why are you so pale? Margaret asked as she entered the kitchen.
Mum, can I go back home for a bit? I need to grab something.
Mum stared at me for a long moment.
Go on. Just dont cause a scene. Find out whats going on first.
I took the bus, trying to steady my thoughts. Maybe it was a mistake, maybe Olivia had mixed it up. But deep down I knew the truth.
Outside the flat, a sleek white foreign car was parked. I walked up to my flat, hand trembling as I fumbled with the keys. The lock clicked, and a faint scent of expensive perfume drifted out. Laughter, a womans laugh, floated from the living room.
I slipped off my shoes, tiptoed down the hallway. The livingroom door was ajar.
On the sofa sat a young woman, blonde hair spilling over a white lab coat, barefoot. Glasses of wine and a fruit platter were on the coffee table. Simon was beside her, his hand gently on her arm, whispering.
You promised she wouldnt be back for a week, the woman said softly.
Shes at your mums now.
What about the kid?
Shes there too. Dont worry, love.
I froze, the word traitor echoing in my head.
When will you tell her? the woman asked.
Soon. First I need the paperwork for the house, so she cant claim anything.
She kissed Simon on the cheek.
I turned to leave, but the keys clanged loudly as I slipped them back into my pocket. Footsteps approached.
Natalie? Simons voice sounded surprised.
I didnt look back. I bolted for the stairs, hearing his shouts behind me, but I kept running, down the stairwell, tripping on a step, barely catching myself.
Outside, I stopped, gasping for breath, tears blurring my vision. Strangers stared, but I didnt care.
I made it back home only at night. Mum met me at the door, worry etched on her face.
Whats happened? she asked.
I slipped into the bedroom, stripped off my coat, and lay on the bed. Lily peeked in, but Mum waved her away.
An hour later there was a knock. Margaret opened the door, then slammed it shut.
Dont come in!
Margaret, I need to talk to Natalie, Simons voice was tense.
She doesnt want to speak to you.
He pushed past, sat on the edge of the bed.
Leave.
Its not what you think.
Really? I sat up, looking him in the eye. Explain.
Irene shes my work assistant. She came to help with some paperwork.
An assistant in a lab coat, barefoot, with wine?
He stayed silent.
I heard everything, I said. About the papers, about trying to push me out. Do you think Im a fool?
Natalie, twentythree years. Ive been your wife, raised Lily, kept this house together. And you?
He stood, pacing. I met Rita half a year ago. She works next door. We we got together. I didnt plan it, it just happened.
Just happened, I repeated. Twentythree years didnt just happen, and now youre suddenly a neighbour?
He tried to defend himself, saying he no longer felt the love that was there, that they were like flatmates.
Margaret, standing in the doorway, interjected, Shes young and pretty, thats all that matters, isnt it?
Margaret, thats not your business!
It is! Shes my daughter!
And Im his wife!
And Im his wife! I said calmly. But not in my house.
He smirked. The house is in my name. Im the sole owner.
We were married, the house is joint property.
Prove it. Do you have money for a solicitor? Time to go to court?
I had nothing. I hadnt worked in ten years, just kept the home and Lily.
He walked to the door. Dont play the victim. This is all your fault.
He slammed the door. I sat there, empty, as Mum wrapped her arms around my shoulders.
Dont cry, love. Hes not worth it.
I didnt cry. The tears had run dry, leaving a hollow numbness.
The next days were a blur. I still collected Lily from school, cooked with Mum, tried to keep my mind occupied. Then Olivia called again, Natalie, you need a solicitor. Ill lend you the money.
Where will that come from?
Well figure it out. You deserve half the house.
Its in his name.
It was bought while we were married, that means its joint.
He kept saying I had no money for a lawyer.
For years Id learned not to argue, not to challenge him. He always decided where we lived, how we spent, where we went on holiday.
One day, Lily said quietly, I want to go back home.
We cant, Mum replied.
Why? This is our house! Why are we living here with that that woman and dad?
Because Dad decided.
And you? Did you decide?
I looked at Lily, who at fifteen was wiser than most adults.
I dont know what to do.
Then Ill say what we need to do. We have to kick her out. This is our house, Mums too, and even Grandmas in a way. He just handed it over to some stranger!
Lily
No, Mum! I wont stay silent! All your life you put up with his shouting over undercooked soup, forgetting birthdays, stumbling home drunk at three in the morning. You endured it all. And look where that got us!
How do you know all that?
I heard everything. I saw you crying in the kitchen, thinking I was asleep.
I hugged Lily for the first time in days, really holding her.
Im sorry, love.
No need to apologise. We need to act.
The next morning I put on a decent coat, slipped on a pair of heels, and Mum gave me an approving nod.
Where are you off to?
To a solicitor.
Olivia had given me the address of a modest law office. Marina Parker welcomed me, listened to the whole mess, and said, Its a classic case. He thinks the house is his because its in his name, but it was bought during the marriage, so its jointly owned. You also have a minor child, which works in your favour.
My finances are tight, I admitted.
First consultation is free. If we win, hell cover the costs.
I left the office feeling a spark of hope.
But when I got back, Lily was sitting on the doorstep, tears in her eyes.
Dad called. He said if you dont give up the house, hell strip me of parental rights.
What?
He said Im an unfit mother, that Ive abandoned the family, and hell have us separated.
Mum tried to reassure, Hes bluffing.
I knew hed bluff. Simon always got his way, no matter the cost.
That night I lay awake, thinking about the house, Lily, the future. I realised the house wasnt worth losing my daughter.
In the morning I called Simon.
Im willing to let the house stay with you.
He was silent for a beat.
Smart choice, he finally said. Ill arrange child support for Lily.
No, I dont want your support. Just leave us alone.
He hung up. Mum looked at me, bewildered.
What have you done?
I chose. Between the house and my child.
But thats my right!
My right is to protect Lily, not to stay stuck in court battles and listen to him trash me.
Mum sighed, Its a shame. So much time and love went into that house.
It was a shame, but I couldnt waste any more time feeling sorry. I started looking for work. At fortyfive, my qualifications were old and I hadnt been employed for a decade. Still, I applied for a sales assistant role in a boutique. It paid little, but it was something.
The first week was brutal standing all day, demanding customers, a strict manager. Yet each day got a little easier. I learned, I adapted, I found my rhythm.
Mum beamed when I handed her my first paycheck. Im proud of you, love.
Lily helped around the house, did well at school, and stopped being a drama queen. Mum, you know what? I like it here with Grandma. It feels cosy and were three happy people.
I hugged her tight. Yes, we were happy, despite everything.
Three months later I was promoted to senior sales assistant, my salary rose, and I started saving for a tiny flat of my own.
One afternoon Simon walked into the shop with Rita, both looking for a dress. Rita tried one on, twirling in front of the mirror, while Simon watched admiringly.
I approached with a professional smile.
Good afternoon, how can I help?
Simons face went pale when he saw me.
Nat? You work here?
Yeah, I said calmly. Whats up?
He mumbled something, looking embarrassed.
Rita glanced at me, expecting a frail, broken woman. Instead she saw a wellkept, confident shop assistant.
That dress looks great on you,She smiled, handed Rita the dress, and walked out knowing she had finally reclaimed her life on her own terms.
