She wasnt home yet. Lately, shed been swamped with work and had started staying later.
Emily tucked the children into bed and headed to the kitchen for a cup of tea. James still hadnt arrived. These days, he was buried in assignments and often worked late.
She hated seeing him so exhausted and tried to shield him from household worries, as he was the familys sole provider. After marrying, they agreed shed manage the home and their future children while James ensured their financial security. Three kids came in quick succession. James adored each one and often joked about having more.
But Emily was drained by the endless childcare and decided to pause any further additions to the family.
James finally walked in past midnight, slightly tipsy. When she asked why, he shrugged.
“Em, the team was swamped, so we went out for a quick drink to unwind.”
“Oh, you poor thing!” Emily forced a smile. “Let me fix you something to eat!”
“Dont bother. We had some nibbles. Ill just head to bed.”
Mothers Day was approaching, and Emily, after asking her mum to watch the kids, went to the shopping centre. She wanted to celebrate differently this yeara romantic dinner for just the two of them. Her mother happily took the children for the evening.
Along with groceries and gifts, Emily decided to treat herself. It had been ages since she bought anything nice, and she felt awkward asking James for money just for clothes she had nowhere to wear. The last outfit shed bought was a comfy home sethardly fitting for the evening she had in mind.
She stepped into a boutique and picked out a few dresses. While trying on the second one, she heard a familiar voice from the next changing room.
“Mmm, I cant wait to take this off you!”
A womans laughter followed. “Patience, you cheeky thing! Go pick something for your wife instead.”
“Why bother? Shes buried in nappies and school runs. As long as she feeds the kids, they couldnt care less what she wears. Ill get her a blender or a toasterthatll make her happy!”
Emily felt like shed been doused in ice water. Silently, she kept trying on clothes as the conversation continued through the thin wall.
“What if she asks where you spent so much? A blender doesnt cost that much” the woman teased.
“Why should I explain how I spend MY money? I work, and she sits at home doing whatever she likes! She gets her housekeeping allowancethats plenty. She should be grateful!”
The fitting session ended, and the voices faded. Emily peeked out cautiously. There was James, at the till with a blonde, paying for their purchases. He kissed her right there, ignoring the shop assistants stare.
“Are you alright, miss?” the assistant asked, noticing Emily still frozen in the changing room.
“Yes, fine!” she replied quickly, handing over the dresses. “Ill take them all.”
Back home, after her mum left and the children were down for their nap, Emily sat thinking. She hadnt expected such betrayal. Worse than the cheating was how little he valued everything she did for their family.
She wanted to file for divorce immediately but forced herself to think rationally.
“If I divorce him, hell run off with that woman, leaving me with the kids and no income. Child support? Pennies. How will we live?”
That night, James didnt stay late “working.” “Got what he wanted earlier,” Emily thought coldly. Her feelings for him had vanishedhe was a stranger now. The only thing she dreaded was him seeking intimacy. The idea repulsed her.
But James seemed satisfied with his mistress and kept his distance.
The next day, Emily updated her CV and sent it to several agencies and firms. All she could do was wait. Days of uncertainty dragged on, each morning starting with an email check. Finally, a reply arrivedan interview at a local company. Ironically, it was Jamess workplace. After much deliberation, she went.
Her mother watched the kids again as she headed to the interview. After nearly two hours with the hiring manager, she was offered a decent role with flexible hours. The pay wasnt huge initially, but it was enough to support herself and the children.
Emily returned home glowing. Her mother, noticing her mood, prodded for details.
“Mum, James is cheating on me!” Emily blurted, a mix of relief and defiance in her voice. Convinced her daughter was confused, her mother sat her down, trying to soothe her.
“Emily, how can you say that? James? Hes at work all the time!”
“Hes not workinghes with his mistress!” She recounted everything shed overheard in the shop. Her mother listened, then asked,
“What will you do now?”
“Im divorcing him! And yes, Ive got a flexible job. Soon, Ill enrol the kids in nursery, and once theyre settled, Ill work full-time.”
“Good for you! I wont stop you. A betrayal like that cant be forgiven. And hes lost all respect for you. Ill help with the kids.”
“Thanks, Mum!” Emily hugged her tightly.
On March 7th, James came home late again. Emily didnt question him. Surprised by her indifference, he stammered an excuse.
“Em, work was mad again” She cut him off, telling him to go to bed.
The next morning, as she served breakfast to the kids, James approached with a gifta toaster.
“Here, love, to make things easier for you.” He tried to kiss her, but she stepped back, ignoring the present.
“Ive got a gift for you too.”
Baffled, James followed her to the hallway, where two large suitcases waited.
“Im filing for divorce. No more lies. You can leave now.”
“How did you find out?” he muttered.
“In the changing room, while you were picking gifts for your blonde. You can give that toaster to herI dont need it.”
Shocked and furious, James lashed out.
“Jealous, are you? Shes gorgeous and put-together, unlike you! Youve forgotten how to dress upjust kids, kids, kids, all on my dime. Its MY money! Ill spend it how I like! Youre just bitter Im spending it on someone elseselfish cow!”
“Im not bitter,” Emily said calmly. “Now go.”
The next day, she filed for divorce and child support. A week later, her mother-in-law banged on the door, livid.
“Gold-digger! You threw him out, and now youre after his money? Drop the child support! He doesnt owe you a thing!”
“Hes not paying mehes supporting his children, the ones he wanted,” Emily shot back. “If he cant afford his mistress, thats his problem. These are his kids too.”
“Whatll you do without his money? You had kids thinking youd live off him forever! Well, it wont work! Hell lower his official salary, and youll get scraps! Youll come crawling back!”
“Doubt it.” Emily pointed at the door. “Get out before I call the police.”
Cursing, her mother-in-law stormed off.
Months later, all the children started nursery. A month after the youngest began, Emily transitioned to full-time work.
“Hi,” a familiar voice said by her desk. “Can we talk?”
“Sorry, James, Im busy,” she replied without looking up.
“Maybe lunch?” He lingered. Emily finally glanced up. He looked tired, worn out. Shed heard the blonde dumped him after realising half his salary would go to the kids. But she didnt care anymore.
“No, James. Were not talking. Were not having lunch. Were done.”
