After her training session, Emily darts home, promising her husband shell boil a pot of fish soup. She slips into their flat and finds Leonard lounging at the kitchen table, a glass of red wine in his hand.
Finally, youre here Leo, you didnt have the patience to wait for me? Let me at least fix us a bite.
Dont bother, sit down. We need to talk.
Emily has never seen Leonard so calm, his eyes distant and troubled. What on earth happened? she asks.
He sighs. I dont even know where to start Ill be blunt. My secretary, Kate, is pregnant with my child. Im leaving her.
It sounds like a bad soapopera, Emily replies. How long have you been involved?
About a year. From the moment she arrived she kept showering me with attention. Shes young, beautiful, livelyjust like you were at my age. I fell for her like a schoolboy. I wanted to be honest with you, but I was too cowardly. I felt sorry for you.
He continues, Now theres no turning back; well soon be parents. You know Ive always wanted a child of my own. Ian feels like a son to me, but not by blood. I need an heir to pass the business on, understand? With Kate I feel younger I guess a midlife crisis has finally hit me. Ever heard of that?
Emily says, Im a scoundrel, I admit. But I wont leave you or Ian emptyhanded. The flat, the carIll keep those for you, and Ill keep supporting you financially. Ill still fund your studies, just as I promised. Ive already bought a new house in Kates name, because shell be the mother of my child.
Leonard nods, I get it, Emily. Its hard to resist a beauty like Kate, and youre a real man. You cant abandon a child; thats noble. Thanks for the money, Im not turning it down. I want to start travelling, live for myself.
When are you moving out? Need a hand with the boxes?
Leonard looks baffled by her composure. Its actually a reliefno screaming, no drama.
Emily replies, Goodbye, my dear husband. Thanks for the years we shared; Ive enjoyed being with you. Life has its own script. Maybe Ill fall for someone else and be happy with a new man. Now go, Kates probably waiting, thinking Ive got her wrapped around my finger.
Leonard hurriedly grabs his suitcases, smiles awkwardly, and heads for the lift.
She closes the door, walks to the kitchen, pulls a chilled bottle of champagne from the fridge, pops it, pours herself a full glass, and drinks it. Her husband has just walked out on her. It sounds absurd, but she never imagined this. All these years theyd lived peacefully; there hadnt been a blaze of passion, but there had been attachment, habit, respect.
She shakes off any selfpity. New life, new rules. Shell find things to do, and Leonard will still be sending money. It would be foolish to reject the cash; with it come more possibilities. She just has to get used to being a newly single woman.
A whirlwind of fresh experiences whirls around Emily. She signs up for dance classes after work, spends weekends visiting museums, cinemas, and the gym. Luckily she isnt aloneher neighbour Claire, a single lady, gladly keeps her company.
Ian studies in another city and visits rarely, so Emily is left to her own devices. She cooks only the dishes she loves, without having to please anyone else. She does what makes her happy; no one can stop her. She doesnt even think about a new boyfriend, and being on her own feels fine.
The divorce proceeds quietly and amicably. In the courtroom corridor she catches a glimpse of Kate, a striking beautywell, you cant blame her taste.
Leonard continues to transfer money each month, just as he promised. Emily is grateful for the generosity; she knows his business is thriving, so he can easily support her and Ian as a thankyou for the years they shared. Kate probably knows nothing of this, and likely wouldnt approve.
A year passes. Emilys routine stays the same: dancing, workouts, the occasional trip abroad. Leonards payments stop, and she feels uneasy asking why. Most likely Kate put a stop to them. She shrugs; life goes on. Ian earns well while at university and can pay his own tuition. His salary covers her expenses.
On a lazy Sunday, with no rush anywhere, Emily enjoys each moment. She boils a fresh pot of fish soup, then realizes shes out of breada staple she loves. She darts to the bakery across the street and bumps into Leonard.
Leo, what are you doing here? she asks.
Emily, hi. Im I live nearby now. Bought a flat.
Wow, thats a surprise. Hows Kate? Any kids?
Girl a daughter, actually. Funny storyturns out Kate was set up by a rival. She gained my trust, I fell for her, and then she tried to force me to transfer the business to her, fearing Id walk away emptyhanded.
I signed over everything in a daze after the baby was born. I kept a small sum in a secret account she doesnt know about. In the end she threw me out, the daughter isnt mine, and the business went to the competitor. Thats the mess Im inlike a terrible drama, right?
I bought a flat, found work, Im not destitute, but my old life is gone. I cant help you anymore. Sorry. You probably dont even want to talk to me now; Ive wronged you, swapped you for this mess.
Emily feels a pang of pity for him. He looks miserable. You fool, Leo! Lets go to my kitchenI just made the fish soup you love.
They sit together in the kitchen that once witnessed their daily lives, chat about the news, and share a genuine moment, though they are no longer husband and wife.
From time to time they call each other, but theres no talk of getting back together. Each pursues their own path. Emily meets a man at dance class, marries him, and finds happiness.
She invites Leonard to her wedding; he attends and even cheers for his exwife. At the reception he meets the grooms sister. Six months later Emily and her new husband are dancing at his wedding, celebrating lifes twists.
Life proves to be unpredictable. You never give up hope or close the book on yourself, because you never know what tomorrow brings. All you can do is live fully and enjoy each day.
