“You’re not his wife anymore,” said the mother-in-law, taking down the photograph from the wall.
“Sophie, love, can you help Grandma find her keys? I can’t seem to lay my hands on them!” Annabel’s voice trembled with agitation.
Sophie looked up from her phone and glanced at her flustered grandmother, who stood in the hallway clutching the doorframe, searching frantically.
“Gran, they’re right therein your hand!” Sophie grinned.
“Oh, good heavens! My heads like a sieve today,” Annabel laughed, though it sounded forced. “Sophie, wheres your mum?”
“She took little Harry to nursery. Said shed be back soon,” Sophie replied before burying her nose in her screen again.
Annabel nodded and wandered into the living room, stopping in front of the wall of family photos. She studied the framed wedding pictureOlivia radiant in white, Daniel dashing in his suit. It had hung there for eight years.
With a sigh, she lifted it off the wall, turned it over in her hands, then carried it to her room.
“Gran, whyd you take the photo down?” Sophie called from the hallway.
“Just giving it a wipedusty as an attic,” Annabel replied, but 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. Daniel, so young and besotted. And now now everything had changed.
The front door clicked shutOlivia was home. Annabel quickly tucked the picture into her dresser drawer and headed to the kitchen.
“Annabel, how are you? Harry was an absolute terror this morningtantrums all the way to nursery,” Olivia said, peeling off her coat and slinging it over a chair. “Wheres our wedding photo? I swear it was just there.”
“What photo?” Annabel asked innocently, filling the kettle.
“The one from our wedding. You took it down?”
Annabel set the kettle on the hob and turned. Olivia stood rigid, arms crossed, eyes sharp.
“I did.”
“Why?”
“Because, love, its time you faced facts. Youre not his wife.”
Olivia paled and sank onto a stool.
“What are you talking about?”
“Eight years, Olivia. Eight! And you still act like a bride. That wedding dress is still hanging in your wardrobeI saw it yesterday when I was putting away laundry. You polish that photo every day like its a trophy. But life moves on, love.”
Olivia said nothing, fists clenched.
“I dont understand what youre getting at.”
“Daniel rang this morning. Early, before you were up. Said we needed to talk. All of us.”
“Talk about what?” Olivias voice was barely a whisper.
Annabel sat opposite her, taking her hands.
“Olivia, darling, you know I love you like my own. The children adore youSophie thinks the world of you, Harrys wrapped around your little finger. But Daniel hes only thirty-two. Do you really think hell stay alone forever?”
Olivia yanked her hands free.
“Were married! We have children together! How can you say Im not his wife?”
“Married on paper, maybe. But when was the last time he came homenot to visit the kids, but to you? To his wife? A month ago? Two?”
“He works so much. Always travelling…”
“Oh, Olivia,” Annabel sighed. “He works, sure. Just not where you think. I saw him last week near that new shopping centre. With a womanyoung, pretty. Arm in arm, laughing. When he spotted me, he went red as a beetroot, started babbling about colleagues and meetings. But you cant fool an old womans eyes, love. A man in love has a certain glow.”
Olivia stood and walked to the window. Outside, rain drizzled under a blanket of grey clouds.
“So, you think I should just step aside? Let him go?”
“I think you need to ask yourselfare you happy? Do you want to keep living like this?”
“And the children? Sophie starts school next year, Harrys still so little. How do I explain their father wont live with us anymore?”
“How do you explain now why he only comes home once a month? Why he sleeps in the guest room? Why you barely speak?”
Annabel stood and wrapped an arm around Olivias shoulders.
“Sophie already knows. Yesterday she asked why you and Daniel dont hug like her friend Emilys parents. What should I tell her? That its some grown-up game?”
“I dont know,” Olivia whispered. “I dont know what to do.”
“But I do. Ive lived a long life, seen it all. Love, Olivia, either is or isnt. You cant fake it any more than you can fake happiness. You and Daniel are good peoplejust not for each other. It happens.”
Just then, four-year-old Harry barrelled into the kitchen, cheeks flushed.
“Mum, Mum! Gran Annie said Dads coming today! Is it true? Is he?” He clung to Olivias arm.
“Its true, sweetheart. Dads coming.” She hoisted him into her arms.
“Is he staying? Forever and ever?”
Olivia glanced at Annabel, who turned back to the window.
“I dont know, love. Dad will tell you.”
Harry nodded, squirmed free, and dashed off to share the news with Sophie.
“See?” Annabel said softly. “Children live on hope. And hope that never comes true is worse than the truth. Far worse.”
Olivia sank back into her chair, 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.”
“I remember. He worshipped you.”
“So what changed? What did I do wrong?”
“Nothing, love. Life just isnt a fairy tale. Daniel married a bright-eyed student, full of dreams. Then came bills, babies, exhaustion. You grew tired; he grew distant. Remember how you used to greet him? Hair done, smiling. Then it became a dressing gown and complaintslate again, forgot the milk, Harrys poorly and youre away.”
“But I tried!” Olivia choked. “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 in you. And Daniel felt it. Men need more than a housekeeper, Olivia. They need a woman who loves themnot just for what they provide.”
The kettle whistled. Annabels hands shook as she poured the tea.
“I do love him,” Olivia whispered.
“Do you? Or are you just used to him? Be honest.”
Olivia fell silent. When had she last been glad to see Daniel? When had she asked about his day, not just his paycheck?
“Maybe he has met someone someone who makes him happy,” she said slowly.
“He has. Her names Laura. Works at his firm. Divorced, no kids. Daniel told me himself after I cornered him about the shopping centre.”
“What did he say?”
“Said it wasnt planned. That hes sorryloves you and the kids, but differently. Loves them as a father, you as a friend. And her as a man loves a woman.”
“So its decided, then?”
“Nothings decided. Hes torn, love. Frightened of losing the children, of hurting you. But he cant go on like this. Says he feels like a stranger in his own home.”
From the playroom came gigglesSophie and Harry playing. Olivia smiled faintly.
“I do feel more like a house manager than a wife. Making sure everything runs, the kids are fed. When Daniels here, I want help, not romance.”
“Exactly. Youve become business partners, not lovers.”
“But how could it be different? The kids are little, theres always so much to doIm shattered by bedtime!”
“Try remembering how it was at the start. When you first met.”
Olivia sipped her tea. Hot, strongit warmed her.
“We met at my friend Lucys birthday. He worked at a different firm thenalways smiling, cracking jokes. Walked me home, talking about books, films. He dreamed of starting his own business; I chattered about working at the nursery. Felt like we just got each other.”
“And then?”
“He started visiting daily. Walks, cafés, cinema. Id wait for his calls, buy new dresses, do my hair. Felt like the prettiest girl alive when he looked at me.”
“What changed after the wedding?”
Olivia frowned.
“Gradually, I suppose. First we moved here’temporarily’, till we bought a place. Then Sophie came. I was exhausted; he worked all hours. When he got home, Id hand him the baby’My turn to rest!’ He just wanted dinner and telly. We talked less. Then only about kids and money.”
“And my ailments,” Annabel added. “Im no prize eitheralways some ache or pain. You both treat me like an invalid.”
“We care for you!”
“I know, love. But caring out of duty isnt the same as caring from the heart. Daniel felt the difference.”
Olivia stood by the window again. Outside, children kicked a football through puddles.
“So Im a bad wife?”
“No. Just tired. And lost. I remember the girl who walked into this housebright, laughing. Daniel couldnt take his eyes off you. Now youre like a sleepwalker, going through the motions.”
“What choice do I have? The kids, the house, work soon…”
“Olivia, do you even want Daniel back? Truly?”
“Of course! How can you ask?”
“Then why havent you called him first in three months? Why dont you ask where he is, if he misses home? Why greet him with a shopping list, not a kiss?”
Olivia turned. Annabels eyes held no judgmentjust sorrow.
“I Im scared.”
“Of what?”
“That if I try to be that girl again, and he still leaves itll hurt worse. Easier to believe hes already gone.”
“Rubbish! Hes your husband, father of your children. If you wont fight for him, who will?”
Sophie appeared in the doorway, solemn beyond her years.
“Mum, is it true Dad wont live with us anymore?”
Olivia and Annabel exchanged glances.
“What makes you say that, sweetheart?” Olivia asked carefully.
“Im not deaf! I hear you argue. Hear him tossing in the guest room. Harry cried last night, said Dad doesnt love him.”
“Sophie, darling” Annabel began, but the girl cut in:
“Dont, Gran. Just tell meis Dad leaving us or not?”
Olivia knelt and hugged her.
“Your dad loves you and Harry more than anything. But sometimes grown-ups have problems to solve.”
“Will you divorce?”
“I dont know yet. Maybe.”
“Then will we live with you or Dad?”
“With me, of course!” Olivia blurted, then caught herself. “I mean well talk. Whatever you want.”
Sophie nodded, eerily adult.
“Okay. Can I tell Harry? He keeps asking when Dads moving back.”
“Go on.”
After she left, Olivia sat back down.
“Shes so grown-up. And Harryhe senses it too.”
“Children always do. They need honesty, not pretence.”
“Annabel what if I really try? To be who I was? Maybe its not too late.”
“Love, I want you happy. Daniel too. And the children. But forced happiness isnt real. If youre ready to fight for your marriage, fight. Just knowit might not work.”
“Ill try. What if it does?”
Annabel smiled. “Then God bless. But start with yourself. When did you last have your hair done?”
“Cant remember. Three months?”
“Theres your first stop. Today. Ill mind the kids. Wear something niceshow Daniel the woman still inside you.”
“And if he says its over?”
“Then at least you tried. The children will know you fought. Thats better than thinking you gave up.”
Olivia studied herself in the hall mirror. She looked wearyhair limp, face drawn, clothes shapeless.
“You know what? Ill go. Then tonight, when Daniel comes, well talk. Properly.”
“Good. Ill keep the photo. If things mend, Ill hang it back. If not well, it was time.”
As Olivia turned to leave, she paused.
“Annabel what about you? If we divorce, Ill have the kids. Youd lose your grandchildren.”
Annabel shook her head. “Sophie and Harry will always be mine. And youyoure like a daughter. If Daniel loves another Ill understand. But I wish you all joy.”
“Thank you. For being honest.”
“Go on, then. Ill tell the kids Mummys off to get pretty.”
That evening, Olivia looked transformedhair styled, a dress instead of joggers, even a touch of makeup. The children gasped.
“Mum, you look like a princess!” Harry breathed.
“So pretty!” Sophie agreed.
Daniel arrived at eight. He froze in the doorway, staring.
“Hello,” Olivia said softly.
“Hi. You you look beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
The children swarmed him, chattering about their day. He listened, hugged them, but Olivia saw the tension in his shoulders.
After dinner, once the kids were settled and Annabel discreetly retired, they sat alone in the kitchen.
“Your mum said you wanted to talk,” Olivia began.
“Yeah. Olivia, this is its hard.”
“I know about Laura.”
Daniel flinched. “You do?”
“Your mum told me. Dan, I wont scream or cry. Just tell me honestlydo you want this marriage to end?”
“I Bloody hell, Olivia, I dont know!” He paced. “Im so tangled up. The kids, you, this house But Ive realised I can be happynot just when I see them, but every day.”
“And you cant be happy with me every day?”
“I dont know. Honestly. We havent been man and wife in so longjust parents, co-owners. Sometimes I think were strangers who share a postcode.”
Olivia nodded. “Ive thought that too. And today I realisedwe both let it happen. You stopped being a husband; I stopped being a wife. We just played roles.”
“So what now?”
“What do you want?”
Daniel sat opposite her, meeting her eyes.
“Truth? I want to try again. With you. Not pretending nothings wrong, but properlytwo adults working at it.”
“And Laura?”
“Ill end it. Tell her Im giving my family a chance.”
“And if we fail?”
“Then we divorce. Cleanly, kindly. Stay friends for the kids.”
Olivia reached across the table. Daniel covered her hand with his.
“Alright. Lets try.”
The next morning, Annabel entered the living room with a duster. She paused at the blank space where the wedding photo had hung, then fetched it from her room.
As she rehung it, Olivia appeared in the doorway, coffee in hand.
“Putting it back?”
“For now,” Annabel said. “Its too soon to take it down.” She adjusted the frame. “Well see.”
