“You’re not his wife,” said the mother-in-law, taking the photograph off the wall.
“Emily, darling, help Granny find her keysI can’t seem to find them anywhere!” Anna’s voice trembled with worry.
Emily looked up from her phone at her flustered grandmother, who stood in the hallway, gripping the doorframe, eyes darting about.
“Granny, they’re right therein your hand!” The girl smiled.
“Oh, goodness! My minds gone to mush,” the older woman laughed, though the sound was strained. “Emily, wheres your mum?”
“She took little Jack to the nursery. Said shed be back soon,” the girl replied before burying her face in the screen again.
Anna nodded, walked into the living room, and stopped by the wall of photographs. She stared at the framed pictureOlivia in her white wedding dress, glowing, next to Daniel in his sharp suit. The photo had hung there for eight years.
Reaching up, she took the frame down, turned it in her hands, sighed deeply, then carried it to her bedroom.
“Granny, whyd you take the photo down?” Emily called from the hall.
“Just wanted to dust itits filthy,” Anna replied, though her voice wavered.
In her room, she sat on the edge of the bed, the photo resting on her lap. Olivia had been so beautiful that day. And Danielso young, so in love. Now now everything was different.
The front door clickedOlivia was home. Anna quickly tucked the photo into her dresser drawer and went to the kitchen.
“Anna, hows everything? Jack was a nightmare this morning, fussing nonstop,” Olivia said, pulling off her coat and draping it over a chair. “Wheres our wedding photo? It was just hereI saw it.”
“What photo?” Anna asked innocently, filling the kettle.
“The one from our wedding. Did you take it down?”
Anna placed the kettle on the stove and turned. Olivia stood straight, arms crossed, watching her.
“Yes, I did.”
“Why?”
“Because its time you faced the truth, Olivia. Youre not his wife anymore.”
Olivia paled, sinking onto a stool.
“What are you talking about?”
“Eight years have passed. Eight! And you still act like a bride. That wedding dress is still hanging in your wardrobeI saw it yesterday when I put the laundry away. You polish that photo every day, staring at it like its still real. But life moves on, Olivia!”
Olivia stayed silent, fists clenched.
“I dont understand what youre getting at.”
“Daniel called this morning. Early, before you were awake. Said we all need to have a serious talk. You, meeveryone.”
“What kind of talk?” Olivias voice was barely a whisper.
Anna sat across from her, taking her hands.
“Olivia, love, I care for you like my own daughter. You know that. Emily sees you as her mum, Jack adores you. But Daniel hes still a young man, only thirty-two. Do you really think hell stay alone forever?”
Olivia pulled her hands free.
“Were married! We have children together! What do you mean, ‘not his wife’?”
“Married on paper, but strangers under the same roof. When was the last time he came homenot to visit the kids, but to be with his wife? A month ago? Two?”
“Hes busy with work. Always traveling…”
“Oh, Olivia!” Anna shook her head. “Hes working, yesjust not where you think. Last week, I saw him near that new shopping center. Walking arm in arm with a womanyoung, pretty. They were laughing. When he spotted me, he turned red, started babbling about her being a colleague. But you cant hide that look, Olivia. A mans eyes when hes in lovethey shine differently.”
Olivia stood, walked to the window. Outside, drizzle speckled the glass, grey clouds sagging over the rooftops.
“So youre saying I should just accept it? Step aside and let him move on?”
“Im saying you need to ask yourself honestlyare you happy? Do you want to keep living like this?”
“And the children? Emily starts school next year, Jacks still so little. How do I explain that Daddy wont live with us anymore?”
“And how do you explain it now? That he only visits once a month? That he sleeps on the sofa? That the two of you barely speak?”
Anna stood, placing a hand on Olivias shoulder.
“Emily already knows. Yesterday she asked why you and Daniel dont hug like her friend Lucys parents. What should I tell her? That its some sort of game?”
“I dont know,” Olivia whispered. “I dont know what to do.”
“But I do. Ive lived a long life, seen plenty. Love, Oliviaits either there, or it isnt. You cant fake it, just like you cant fake happiness. You and Daniel are good peoplejust not for each other. It happens.”
Just then, four-year-old Jack burst into the kitchen, hair tousled, cheeks flushed.
“Mum, Mum! Granny Anna said Dads coming today! Really? Is he really coming?” The boy clung to Olivias arm.
“Yes, sweetheart. Dads coming.” Olivia lifted him into her arms.
“Is he staying? Staying forever?”
Olivia glanced at Anna, who turned back to the window.
“I dont know, Jack. Hell tell us himself.”
The boy nodded, wriggled free, and dashed off to share the news with his sister.
“See?” Anna said quietly. “The children live on hope. And hope that never comes truethats worse than the truth. Far worse.”
Olivia sat back at the table, covering her face.
“Eight years ago, I was sure wed be happy forever. Remember how Daniel courted me? Flowers every day, reciting poetry. Said he couldnt live without me.”
“Of course I remember. He worshipped you.”
“So what changed? What did I do wrong?”
“Nothing. Life just isnt a fairy tale. Daniel married a bright young student, full of laughter. But he ended up living with a woman buried under chores and exhaustion. Children came, money grew tight, he worked more, came home less. And youyou grew tired, resentful. Remember how you used to greet him? Hair done, smiling. Then it became a dressing gown and complaintslate again, forgot the milk, Jacks sick while hes away.”
“But I tried!” Olivia choked out. “I kept the house, raised the kids, looked after you when you were ill! I did everything for this family!”
“For the family, yes. But you forgot the woman inside. And Daniel felt that. Men, Olivia, need more than a housekeeper and a mother. They need a woman who loves themnot just for what they provide.”
The kettle whistled. Anna stood to make the tea, hands trembling slightlyhard conversations took their toll.
“I do love him,” Olivia whispered.
“Love him or are you just used to him? Answer honestly.”
Olivia fell silent. She truly didnt know. When was the last time shed been glad to see Daniel? When had she last asked about his day instead of what hed brought home?
“Maybe maybe he really has met someone. Someone who makes him happy,” she said slowly.
“He has. Her names Laura. Works at his firm. Divorced, no children. Daniel confessed when I pressed him after seeing them together.”
“What did he say?”
“That he never meant for this to happen. That hes sorryloves you and the children, but differently. Loves them as a father, you as a dear friend. But Laurahe loves her as a man loves a woman.”
“So its already decided?”
“Nothings decided. Hes torn, Olivia. Afraid of losing the children, of hurting you. But he cant go on like this either. Says he feels like a stranger in his own home.”
Laughter spilled from the childrens roomEmily and Jack playing some game. Olivia smiled faintly at the sound.
“Ive stopped being a wife, havent I? Just a house manager. Making sure everythings clean, the kids are fed. And when Daniel visits, I want help, not affection. Can he watch them while I shop? Fix the tap?”
“Exactly. Youve become business partners, not husband and wife.”
“But what else could I do? The children are little, theres so much to doIm exhausted by evening. When was I supposed to think about love?”
Anna set a steaming cup in front of her.
“Try to remember how it was at the start.”
Olivia sipped the teastrong, warming.
“We met at my friend Sarahs birthday. He worked at a different firm then, always joking. Walked me home, and we talked about books, films. He wanted to start his own business; I was training to work in a nursery. It felt like we understood each other without words.”
“And then?”
“He started visiting every day. Evening walks, cafés, the cinema. Id wait for his calls, buy new dresses, do my hair. Felt like the most beautiful girl alive when he looked at me.”
“What changed after the wedding?”
Olivia frowned, thinking.
“Gradually, bit by bit. First, we moved hereto you. Daniel said it was temporary, till we bought a place. Then Emily came. I was on maternity leave; he worked late. When he got home, Id hand him the babyI needed a break! But he was tired too, just wanted to eat and watch telly. We talked less. Then it was only about the kids, the bills.”
“And my ailments,” Anna added. “Not exactly a joy to live withalways some ache or pain. You both treat me like a patient.”
“We care for you!”
“I know, dear, and Im grateful. But caring out of duty isnt the same as caring from the heart. Daniel felt the difference.”
Olivia stood, went to the window. Kids were playing football outside, the ball splashing through puddles.
“So Im a bad wife?”
“Not bad. Just tired. And lost along the way. When you first came here, you were vibrant, always laughing. Daniel couldnt take his eyes off you. Now its like youre sleepwalkinggoing through the motions.”
“What choice do I have? The kids are growing, the house needs work, Ill have to get a job soon”
“Olivia. Do you even want Daniel back? Truly?”
“Of course! How can you ask that?”
“Then why havent you called him first in months? Why dont you ask where he is, if he misses home? Why, when he visits, do you hand him a shopping list instead of a kiss?”
Olivia turned. Annas eyes held no judgmentjust sadness.
“I Im scared.”
“Of what?”
“That if I try to be that woman again and he still leaves, itll hurt even more. Better to get used to him not being mine.”
“Thats nonsense! Hes your husband, the father of your children. If you wont fight for him, who will?”
Emily appeared in the doorway, solemn beyond her years.
“Mum is it true Dad wont live with us anymore?”
Olivia and Anna exchanged glances.
“Whered you hear that, sweetheart?” Olivia asked carefully.
“Im not deaf! I hear you and Dad argue. Hear him tossing on the sofa at night. Jack cried yesterday, saying Dad doesnt love him.”
“Emily, darling” Anna began, but the girl cut in.
“Dont, Granny. Im not stupid. Just tell me the truthis Dad leaving us or not?”
Olivia knelt, pulling her daughter close.
“Emily, your dad could never leave you or Jack. He loves you both so much. But grown-ups sometimes we have problems to work through.”
“Are you getting divorced?”
“I dont know yet. Maybe.”
“If you do, do we live with you or Dad?”
“With me, of course!” Olivia said quickly, then caught herself. “I mean its up to you. Dad and I will talk.”
Emily nodded like a little adult.
“Okay. Can I tell Jack? He keeps asking when Dads moving back.”
“Go ahead.”
Once shed gone, Olivia sat back down.
“So grown-up. And Jack senses it too, young as he is.”
“Children always know when somethings wrong. They need honestynot pretend happiness.”
“Anna what if I really try? To be who I was before? Maybe its not too late.”
“Olivia, love,” Anna took her hand, “I want you happy. Daniel too. And the children. But forced happiness isnt real. If youre ready to fight for your marriagefight. Just know the outcome may not be what you hope.”
“Ill try. What if it works?”
“It might,” Anna smiled. “But start with yourself. When did you last visit a salon?”
“Cant remember,” Olivia admitted. “Three months?”
“Go today. Ill mind the kids. Wear something niceshow Daniel the woman you still are.”
“And if he says its over? That hes already decided?”
“Then at least youll know you tried. The children will understand betterthat Mummy fought to keep the family together. Thats better than them wondering why you didnt.”
Olivia stood, studying herself in the hallway mirror. She did look wornhair limp, face tired, clothes shapeless.
“You know what? Ill go. And when Daniel comes tonight, well talk properly.”
“Right choice. Ill keep the wedding photo for now. If things mend, it goes back up. If not well, maybe it was time.”
Olivia hesitated at the door.
“Anna what about you? If Daniel and I divorce, the kids stay with me. Youd lose them.”
“Ill lose nothing,” Anna said firmly. “Emily and Jack will always be my grandchildren. And youyouve been like a daughter. If Daniels found love Ill understand. But I wish happiness for all of you.”
“Thank you. For being honest.”
“Go on, then. Ill tell the kids Mummys gone to get pretty.”
That evening, Olivia looked transformed. Freshly cut hair, a dress she hadnt worn in years, even a touch of makeup. The children gasped.
“Mum, you look like a princess!” Jack said, awed.
“So pretty!” Emily agreed.
Daniel arrived by eight. Seeing Olivia, he stopped in the doorway, silent.
“Hi,” she said softly.
“Hi. You you look beautiful.”
“Thanks.”
The children swarmed him, chattering about their day, showing drawings. He listened, hugged them, answered questions. But Olivia saw the tension in himsomething weighing heavy.
After dinner, with the children settled and Anna discreetly retired, Daniel and Olivia sat alone in the kitchen.
“Your mum said you wanted to talk,” Olivia began.
“Yeah. Olivia, I This isnt easy.”
“I know about Laura.”
He stiffened. “You do?”
“Mum told me. Daniel, I wont scream or cry. Just tell me honestlydo you want our marriage to end?”
“I God, Olivia, I dont know!” He stood, pacing. “Im so tangled up. The kids, you, this house But Ive realized I can feel differently. Can be happy not just seeing them, but every day.”
“And you cant be happy with me every day?”
“I dont know. Truly. We havent been man and woman in so longjust parents, housemates. Sometimes I think were strangers living together out of habit.”
Olivia nodded. “Ive thought that too. And today I realizedwe both let it happen. You stopped being a husband; I stopped being a wife. We played roles instead of living.”
“So what now?”
“What do you want?”
Daniel sat across from her, meeting her eyes.
“Honestly? I want to start fresh. With you. Not pretending nothings wrong, but truly rebuildingas two people willing to work at it.”
“And Laura?”
“Ill end it. Tell her I need to give my family a chance.”
“And if we fail? If we realize we truly dont fit?”
“Then we divorce. Cleanly, kindly. Stay friends for the children.”
Olivia reached across the table. Daniel covered her hand with his.
“Alright. Lets try.”
The next morning, Anna entered the living room with a duster. She paused by the blank space where the wedding photo had hung. After a moment, she returned to her room, retrieved the frame, and placed it back on the wall. Stepping back, she adjusted it slightly.
Olivia appeared in the doorway, coffee in hand.
“You put it back up?”
“I did. Too soon to take it down,” Anna said. “Well see what happens.”
