**Diary Entry**
*Shell regret this one day!*
Thats what James kept thinking when his wife, Emma, announced out of nowhere that she was filing for divorce. Just yesterday, everything was fineshed been washing his socks, ironing his shirtsand now, divorce papers! And for no reason at all! James had done everything right: worked steadily, never raised a hand, barely went out, drank in moderation.
*What more did the bloody woman want?!* he fumed. *Found some other bloke, has she? Shell crawl back in tears. Just wait. Ill make her sorry.*
While his mind raced, Emma was saying the same things shed been repeating for years: *”Im exhausted carrying everything alone! I work, clean, cook, look after Liam. Ive had enough! You cost more than you bring home. Last time you disappeared for three days, I realised life was easier without you. The house stays cleaner, quieter. I dont have to fry steaksLiam and I prefer pasta. Without you, even the stove stays spotless. I want peace. Im tired of being a worn-out woman hauling shopping bags. I dont even recognise myself when youre around.”*
*”When was the last time you read Liam a bedtime story? Taken him to the park? Bathed him? All he hears from you is Piss off, Im knackered. Do you even know his teachers name? Which school hes starting in September? You share a roof with him but barely speak. He either sees you drunk on the sofa with a lager or passed out with one. What kind of father is that? Do you remember his birthday? No? Then what good are you?”*
*Same old nagging*, James thought. Every evening, as he shoveled down whatever meal shed made straight from the pan, Emma would start this rant. *Just bored, isnt she?*
Thenbamdivorce papers. Just like that.
*Shell regret it. Thinks some other bloke will want her? Thirty and past it. Shell beg me back in a week. Then Ill decide if I even want her.*
*”Ive packed your things. Get out.”*
*”Fine,”* James muttered through a mouthful of sausage. *”But dont expect me to come crawling back.”*
He gave her one last chance to reconsiderlingering by the door, shuffling his bagsbut she didnt budge. *Stubborn cow*, he thought, regretting not nabbing a few more sausages before leaving.
He ended up at his mums. She started in on him too: *”What happened? Whyd she kick you out?”*
*”For no reason!”* James insisted. *”I did everythingworked, provided. Never enough for her. Probably found some rich bloke. Thats why she left.”*
Mum rang Emma, but no luckno invitation back.
*Doesnt matter. Shell regret it. Whod want a single mum with a kid?* James reasoned, picking up discounted lager at Tesco.
At court, Emma looked differenthair done, makeup on. Smiling. Told the judge there hadnt been a marriage in years, that she did everything alone. *Typical womans lies*, James thought, hands shaking. Needed a drink but held off.
The judgesome smug womanasked, *”Do you drink?”*
*”Hardly! A couple pints after work, thats it. Just stressed nowmy wife left me!”*
Three months reconciliation period. James eyed Emma. *Still not sorry?*
*”God, are you ever sober?”* she muttered, wrinkling her nose.
*Fine, Ill wait. See how she sings in three months, crawling back.* He pictured her begging. Him refusing. Only returning on his terms.
But Emma didnt call. Didnt text. Acted like he didnt exist.
*Mustve found someone.* But Facebook and mutual friends said no.
At the next hearing, Emma wasnt smiling. Short answers, still wanting the divorce. *Waiting for me to beg. Not happening.*
Suddenly, it was over. Divorced.
The judge asked about custody. *”Liam stays with me,”* Emma said. *”His father doesnt even know his birthday.”*
*”James, whens your sons birthday?”*
*”Third of June!”* James blurted.
*”Todays the sixth,”* Emma scoffed. *”He turned seven today. You didnt even remember.”*
*Bloody women in power.* Of course, they gave her custody. *And now alimony.* But James brightened*Shell crack any second. Her lifes ruined!*
Then he saw her outside, laughing with a friend. *Laughing!*
*”Celebrating my freedom!”* she chirped.
James stormed over. *”I thought youd be crying! Youll regret this! Ill sue for the housefor Liam!”*
*”The house was my nans,”* Emma said calmly. *”And since when do you care about Liam?”*
He ranted for ages*Tore our family apart! Left Liam fatherless!*even after shed walked away.
*Shell regret it.*
**Lesson learned:** Pride blinds you. Sometimes the person youre certain will come crawling is the one whos already moved on.
