“Dad, youve completely stopped talking to us,” said the older boy, his voice tinged with worry.
Elena 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.
When Nicholas flicked on the lights in their London flat, he confirmed no one was home. The boys schoolbooks were strewn across their bedroom floorprobably left there after homework, as usual. He sank into his favourite armchair, burying his face in his hands, unsure how to even begin the conversation with his wife.
“Im exhausted,” he muttered to himself. He didnt like coming back to an empty house. Pulling out his phone, he dialled his eldest son.
“William, where are you? Im home, but the flats empty.”
“Were at GransMum brought us. She wasnt feeling well. Well be back soon.”
Nicholas stomach twisted. How was he supposed to say any of this? VeronicaVerawas only twenty-five, with fiery red hair and emerald eyes. She couldve had any man, yet shed chosen *him*, a man ten years older.
Lately, it had become harder to leave her, inventing excuses for his delays. Maybe in retirement, hed try writing novelshed certainly perfected the art of lying to his wife.
Elena was sharpa marketing manager, respected for her quick mind and gentle nature. She was lovely, but not *extraordinary*not like Vera, especially when she greeted him in that silk dressing gown.
Hed always thought their marriage was solid. Elena juggled work and still made time for the boys. No one expected *this* would happen.
The sound of a key in the lock made his pulse spike. He couldnt do it tonight. Tomorrow. Hed tell her tomorrow.
The boys bounded in, chattering about school.
“Nicholas, are you having dinner?” Elena asked.
“No. Tired. Going to bed.”
Shed noticed his distance lately.
At breakfast, Nicholas sat silent, shoulders hunched.
“Dad, youve stopped talking to us,” his son pressed.
“Dont be ridiculous. Adults have problems they dont burden children with. Hurry up if you want a lift.”
Elena packed snacks and apples for everyone, her unease growing.
“Ill talk to him tonight,” she decided, heading to work.
But dinner passed without Nicholas. He slunk in near midnight, offering no explanation. She heard him drink water in the kitchen before retreating to bed.
The next morning, once the boys were off to school, she cornered him.
“Explain whats going on.”
“Tonight,” he said curtly.
***
“Its another woman,” said Nadine when Elena confided in her.
“*Another woman?* Watch your wordsweve been married ten years!”
“Exactly *why* theres another woman. He turns away, comes home lateno explanations.”
“How do you know?”
“Because Ive been there. Trust me, I dont envy you.”
Elena didnt want to go home. She didnt want to hear: *”I love someone else.”*
But avoiding it wouldnt change anything. She quickened her pace.
Alone at the kitchen table, she waited. The lock clicked. She tensed.
Nicholas was in a strangely good mood, even asking about dinner.
“Where are the boys?”
“Doing homework. But I can feed you without them.”
He nodded, eating quietly, watching her. Smart, hardworking, kind. Once, hed loved everything about herher hair, her eyes, her lips. Not anymore.
“Delicious,” he said.
“Talk to me.”
Silence. He reached for bread, chewing slowly. Finally, he spoke without meeting her gaze.
“Elena, Ive fallen in love with someone else. Im leaving. Ill still see the boys, but were done.”
A sharp breath.
“Youre throwing us away because youre selfish. Easier to abandon your children than deny yourself anything.”
He had no defence. She was right. Hed fallen for Veracouldnt resist the thrill.
“Do I even get a say? Or have you decided?”
“Its done. Veras pregnant. I cant abandon her and a newborn.”
“But youll abandon *your* two? Conscience clear, then?”
“Dont make this harder. Families split all the timekids still love their dads.”
“*Pregnant?* Shes lying to hurry you along.”
“Dont speak on what you dont know.”
“Fine. But how will you tell the boys?”
“Simple.” He called them in.
They stood before him. “Mum, were hungry. Done with homework.”
“Your father has something to say.” She moved to the window.
“Eat first,” Nicholas stalled.
After dinner, his eldest asked, “What did you want to tell us, Dad?”
Elena didnt soften the blow. “Your fathers found another woman. Hes leaving us for her.”
“*And us?*”
“Youll have a new mum. A happy little family of four. I wont interfere.”
Under stunned silence, she grabbed her bag, documents, cards, a few things, and walked out.
“Dad is it true?”
Nicholas couldnt speak.
“Bed. *Now.*”
***
Elena stayed with Nadine, who backed her completely.
“You did right,” Nadine said.
“Im worried about the boys.” Tears fell.
“Nicholas is a fool, but he loves them.”
Elena didnt sleep. At work, she poured coffee, staring blankly.
Her future with Nicholas was over. She wouldnt forgive him. Their marriageonce full of hopewas now a dark stain. Hed courted her for a year, promised happiness.
Hope and reality were different things.
A call shattered her thoughts.
“When are you taking the boys?” Nicholas snapped. “Youre their *mother!*”
“And *youre* their father! We made vowsI kept mine. You traded them for*what*? Is *this* how you care?”
“Enough. Be home by tonight.”
She hung up.
Work was impossible. Words blurred.
Thenclarity. Shed purge him from her mind. The decision lifted a weight. She needed to see her sons.
At lunch, she left early, waiting at their school. William spotted her first, sprinting over. Soon, Michael joined. “Mum, I missed you.”
“Me too. Listenno matter what happens with Dad, I love you. *Always.* Understood?”
Michael whispered, “I dont want a new mum.”
“I know, sweetheart.” She squeezed their hands. “Dad loves someone else. He says hell still see youwell see if he means it. For now, youll stay with him and *her.* But Ill visit daily. Im *always* here.”
William, older, understood. “You wont leave us?”
“Never.”
She drove them home, then returned to work. Seeing them helped.
Meanwhile, Vera called Nicholas, irritated. “You know stress isnt good for me. Where *are* you?” Click.
At home, the boys had done homework, watching TV.
“Wheres Mum?”
“Dunno.”
“Lessons done?”
“Yeah.”
“Pack up. Were going somewhere.”
“To meet *her*?”
“Yes.”
“What if we dont *want* to?”
“Since when do *you* decide? Your mum leftshe doesnt want you.”
Michael opened his mouth, but William cut in. “*Shut up.*”
An hour later, they rang Veras doorbell.
“Finally,” she said, flinging it open. Three pairs of eyes met hersWilliams squeezed shut.
“Go get dressed,” Nicholas ordered.
She scoffed. “This is *my* home. Ill wear what I like. Whove you brought?”
She moved to shut the door, but he blocked it, stepping inside.
“Youll share a room. Well figure it out.”
Vera gaped. “Wrong address?”
“Just *wait*,” he growled.
Upstairs, the boys heard shouting, then Vera crying. Silence followed.
Morning came. Nicholas woke them. “Wash up. Breakfast.”
“Vera, whats to eat?”
“Did *you* buy anything? No? Then dont ask.” She left.
Tea and toast would have to do. He dropped them at school.
After class, Elena returned for them. They spilled everythingthe fights, Veras angry words. Elena almost smiled.
“Hungry?”
“*Yes
