**Diary Entry A Lesson Learned the Hard Way**
“Dad, youve completely stopped talking to us.”
Evelyn didnt want to go home. She didnt want to hear the words: *”Ive fallen in love with someone else.”* Could anyone survive that, let alone understand it? What about the children? They adored their father.
Flicking on the lights, Nicholas confirmed the house was empty. The boys schoolbooks were scattered in their roomproof theyd been doing homework before rushing off without tidying. He sank into his armchair, face in his hands, unsure how to start the conversation with his wife.
“Im exhausted,” he muttered to himself. “I hate coming back to an empty house.” He dialled his eldest sons number.
“Oliver, where are you? Im home, and its dead silent here.”
“Were at GransMums there too. Grans not feeling well. Well be back soon.”
Nicholass stomach twisted. How could he even begin this talk? There was Veratwenty-five, fiery red hair, emerald eyesa woman who couldve had any man but chose him. A decade younger, breathtaking.
Lately, leaving her grew harder. Hed spun elaborate excuses for delays, even joked to himself that retirement might lend him a knack for fiction, given how smoothly he lied to Evelyn.
Evelyn was sharpa marketing manager, respected for her wit, adaptability, and expertise. Attractive, yes, but not extraordinary. Not like Vera, who greeted him in silk robes.
Hed always believed their marriage was solid. They were good parents. Evelyn balanced work and family seamlessly. No one saw this coming.
The key turned in the lock. His pulse spiked. *Not tonight.* Hed talk tomorrow. The boys barrelled in, chattering about school.
“Nicholas, are you eating dinner?”
“No. Im tired, Evelyn. Going to bed.”
Her frown deepened. His recent behaviour unsettled her.
At breakfast, Nicholas sat brooding, silent.
“Dad, you never talk to us anymore,” Oliver said.
“Dont be absurd. Adults have problems children dont need to know about. Hurry up if you want a lift.”
Evelyn packed snacks and apples for everyone. His mood troubled her.
“Ill talk to him tonight,” she decided, heading to work.
But Nicholas missed dinner. He slunk in near midnight, offered no explanation, drank water, and went to bed.
The next morning, as the boys got ready, Evelyn confronted him.
“Care to explain whats going on?”
“Tonight,” he said curtly.
***
“Hes got another woman,” Nadia said when Evelyn confided in her.
“Dont be crude. Weve been married ten years.”
“Thats *why* theres another woman. Distant at night, late returns, no explanationssound familiar?”
“How would *you* know?”
“Ive lived it. And I dont envy you.”
Evelyns steps slowed. She dreaded hearing: *”I love someone else.”* But to fix this, she had to face it.
Alone at the kitchen table, she waited. The lock clicked. Tonight, Nicholas was almost cheerful, asking about dinner.
“Where are the boys?”
“Doing homework. But I can feed you alone.”
He nodded, eating under her gaze. Once, hed loved everything about herher hair, eyes, lips. Not anymore.
“Delicious,” he said.
“We need to talk.”
Silence. He reached for bread, chewing slowly. Finally, he spoke, avoiding her eyes.
“Evelyn, Ive fallen in love with someone else. Im leaving. Ill still see the boys, but were done.”
She scoffed. “Youre tossing us aside for vanity. Easier to abandon your children than deny yourself.”
He had no retort. She was right.
“Do I get a say, or have you decided? Know thisif you walk out, dont expect me to take you back.”
“I understand. But Veras pregnant. I cant abandon her.”
“*Her* baby matters, but not your own sons? Your conscience is dead.”
“Dont make this ugly. Families split all the time. Kids adjust.”
“*Your* child, is it? Shes lying to trap you.”
“Dont speak about what you dont know.”
“Fine. But how will you tell the boys?”
He called them in. They stood before him, confused.
“Mum, were hungry. Done with homework.”
“Your father has something to say.” She moved to the window.
“Eat first,” Nicholas hedged.
After dinner, Oliver asked, “What did you want to tell us, Dad?”
Evelyn didnt rescue him. She cleared plates, voice icy.
“Your fathers found another woman. Hes moving in with her. Youll have a new mother soon.”
“*What about us?*” they cried in unison.
“Oh, youll all live together. I wont interfere.”
Stunned, Nicholas watched as Evelyn grabbed her bag, documents, cards, and left.
“Dad is it true?”
He couldnt speak.
“Bed. *Now.*”
***
Evelyn stayed with Nadia, who backed her completely.
“You did right,” Nadia said.
“The boys” Evelyn wept.
“Theyll be fine. Nicholas is a fool, but he loves them.”
Dawn found Evelyn sleepless. At work, she stared blankly at her coffee. Their future was over. Shed never forgive him.
Shed married Nicholas after a year of courtship, believing in his promises. But hope and reality were worlds apart. For years, hed played the devoted husband and father flawlesslyeven Nadia had praised him.
Yet here they were. Love had crumbled under the weight of betrayal.
The phone rang. Nicholass voice was sharp.
“When are you collecting the boys? How could you leave them?”
“*You* did first! We vowed to care for them together. I kept my word. You traded them for”
“Enough. Be home tonight.”
She hung up. The words on her screen blurred.
Decision crystallised. Shed purge him from her mind. *Ex-husband.* The label steadied her. She craved her boys.
At lunch, she fetched them from school. Oliver sprinted to her; Charlie followed.
“Mum, I missed you.”
“I missed you too. Listenno matter what happens with your father, Ill always love you. *Always.* Understood?”
Charlie whispered, “I dont want a new mum.”
“I know, sweetheart.” She clasped their hands. “Your father chose someone else. He says he wont abandon you. Well see. For now, youll stay with him and her. But Ill visit daily. Im *here.*”
Oliver, older, understood. “You wont leave us?”
“Never.”
She dropped them home, lighter. Meanwhile, Vera called Nicholas, shrill:
“You know stress harms the baby! Where *are* you? Come tonight.”
The boys waited, homework done, TV murmuring.
“Wheres Mum?”
“Dunno.”
“Pack. Were moving.”
“To live with *her*?”
“Yes.”
“But we dont *want* to!”
“Since when do *you* decide? Your mother left *you*.” Charlie opened his mouth, but Oliver hissed, *”Shut it.”*
An hour later, they rang Veras doorbell.
“Finally,” she purred, swinging the door openwearing little. Three pairs of eyes fixed on her. Oliver shut his.
“Go change,” Nicholas snapped.
She smirked. “My house, my rules. Who are *these*?”
He blocked the door. “Were staying.”
“Fine. Theyll share a room.”
Veras eyes bulged. “Wrong address?”
“Just *wait*.”
She flounced off. “Bedroom. *Now.*”
***
The boys heard shouting, then Veras sobs. Silence. Morning came. Nicholas herded them to breakfast.
“Vera, wheres the food?”
“Did *you* buy any? No? Then dont ask.” She left.
Tea and toast later, he dropped them at school. Evelyn met them after. They spilled everythingVeras tantrums, the empty fridge. She almost smiled.
“Hungry?”
“*Yes.*”
This routine lasted a week. Friday, Nicholas didnt take them to Veras. They ordered takeaway, feasted. He left briefly, returning with news: theyd stay home. Vera was the reason.
This time, shed met him in pyjamas, distant. No invitation inside. No eye contact. The magic had died.
“Vera,
