I reached for my sleeping husbands phone to check the time and saw a notification that shattered my world.
No, Mrs. Higgins, its impossible! I cant take leave right nowweve got the quarterly report due, and the tax inspection is looming! Emma nervously shuffled papers on her desk, avoiding her bosss stern gaze. Please, ask someone else.
Who else? The stout woman in her sharp suit leaned ominously over the desk. Emilys on maternity leave, Sophies off with a sick child, and Olivias hopelessshed mix up all the paperwork! Youre the only one who can handle the branch audits.
But my sons ill, my mother cant come to help, and my husbands always away, Emma felt a lump rise in her throat. I physically cant go to Manchester for a week!
Your personal issues dont concern me, Mrs. Higgins snapped. Either go on this business trip, or hand in your resignation. Choose.
Emma left the office feeling utterly powerless. In the corridor, her colleague Charlotte from the neighbouring department caught up with her.
Rough time in there? Charlotte asked sympathetically. I heard the shouting.
Thats an understatement. Emma sighed. I dont know what to do. James has only just recovered from pneumonia, and Daniels on-site in Edinburgh. I cant possibly manage it all.
What about your mother-in-law? Could she help with James?
Emma gave a bitter laugh.
Oh, sure. Margaret thinks her grandsons *my* responsibilityher job is just to criticise how I raise him. No thanks.
Back at her desk, Emma mechanically scanned documents, but her mind was elsewhere. As always, life had backed her into a corner. Thirty-eight years old, and still torn between work, her child, and home. And Daniel was never around when she needed him most.
That evening, after putting James to bed, Emma collapsed onto the sofa, exhausted. Her head throbbed. She dialled Daniels number, but he didnt answerprobably stuck in another meeting. After fifteen years of marriage, she was used to his constant business trips and late nights, but sometimes the weight of doing everything alone felt unbearable.
Finally, her phone rangDaniel.
Hey, love, he sounded worn out. Sorry I missed your callits been chaos here.
Daniel, Ive got a business trip, Emma cut straight to it. A week in Manchester. James isnt fully better yet, and nurserys not an option. Can you come home?
Silence.
Emma, you know I cant. Were up against a deadlinethe projects due in two weeks. I *wish* I could, but
But you cant, she finished flatly. As usual.
Dont start, please, irritation crept into his voice. Im not out here having fun. Im workingproviding for us.
*I* work too, she shot back. But somehow, Im also the one looking after our son, the house, your laundry, meals
Lets not do this now, Daniel interrupted. Im dead on my feetback on-site at dawn. Can your mum come? Or ask Sarah next door to watch James after school.
Easy for you to say. Emma fought back tears. Fine. Ill figure something out. Like always.
After the call, she sat staring blankly at the TV, hollow inside. When had their life become this? When had they stopped being a team and turned into two tired strangers barely finding time to talk?
The next three days blurred past. Emma convinced her boss to delay the trip by a week, persuaded her mother to come from Surrey to watch James. Daniel was supposed to return Saturday nightjust before she left for Manchester.
On Friday, Emma worked late prepping documents. Her mother was asleep in the guest room, James in his. When her phone buzzed, she jumped.
Emma, its me. Daniel sounded guilty. Somethings come upIm stuck here another two days. Unforeseen issues with the project.
*What?* Her stomach dropped. Daniel, I leave Sunday! We agreed!
I know, I know! Genuine regret coloured his voice. But Ive got no choicefinish this or we all lose bonuses. Thats serious money, Em.
And me not being able to take our son on a business trip doesnt matter? She kept her voice low to avoid waking anyone.
Your mums already there, right? She can stay a bit longer. Ill be back Tuesday, promise.
Mums *seventy-one*, Daniel! She can barely walk with her arthritis! Emma gripped the phone so hard her knuckles whitened. Shes got a doctors appointment Mondaywaited two months for it!
Then ask Sarah or hire a sitter for a couple of days, Daniels patience frayed. I dont know, Emma, sort it out! I cant be in two places at once!
But I can, is that it? She barely restrained a scream. Always *me* juggling, scrambling, fixing everything! When was the last time *you* took care of James? The house? *Me?*
Im working my arse off to put food on the table! he exploded. To give James everything! What more do you want?
For you to *be here*, she whispered, tears falling. Just *here* when we need you. But I guess thats too much.
She hung up and buried her face in her hands. What now? Call Mrs. Higgins and refuse the triprisk her job? Leave her sick son with her frail mother? Hire a stranger for two days?
Exhausted and sleep-deprived, Emma dozed fitfully at the desk. She woke with a stiff neck and aching back. The clock read 2:30 a.m. Groggily, she stood and headed to the bedroom.
She meant to set an alarm but remembered her phone was still in the living room. Reluctant to fetch it, she spotted Daniels on the nightstandleft behind in his rush to the damned project. They used the same charger, so it was charged.
*Just check the time and set an alarm*, she thought, picking it up. The screen lit up: 2:37. Then a notification popped up.
*My love, thank you for tonight. Tomorrow at mine, as usual. Kisses, yours, A.*
Emma froze, rereading the message. Her fingers turned icy; her chest split open. This couldnt be real. Not Daniel. Not *her* Daniel, the man shed built a life with for fifteen years, raised a son with.
Hands shaking, she unlocked the phonethe PIN was Jamess birthday, she knew it. In his messages were work chats, texts to her and a thread with A. She opened it, every heartbeat a physical ache.
The messages left no doubt. Daniel had been seeing this woman for six months. Regularly, once or twice a week. Many business trips were covers. Right now, he wasnt in Edinburghhe was here in London, with *her*.
Emma sank onto the bed, numb. Fifteen years of marriage. Fifteen years of lies. She remembered meeting Danielthe young architect with bright prospects. Their modest wedding. Their honeymoon in Cornwall. Jamess birth. Every hardship she thought theyd faced *together*.
The thread included photos. Emma forced herself to open one. A woman in her thirties, long auburn hair, flawless makeup. Beautiful. Far more than Emmaweary, greying, her spark long faded.
Setting the phone down, Emma faced the mirror. When had she become this exhausted ghost? When had she stopped being a *woman* and become just a mother, a wife, a worker?
The phone vibratedanother message from A. *No reply? Sleeping, I bet. Sweet dreams, darling.*
Rage surged. How *dare* he? Her first instinct was to call him, scream, shatter his little fantasy like hed shattered her reality.
But she stopped. Nothis wasnt a phone conversation. She needed to see his face when he explained. Needed the full, ugly truth.
Instead, she dialled her best friend. Who cared if it was 3 a.m.?
Sarah? Sorry for the hour. Can you watch James tomorrow? Ive got to go away.
Emma? Whats wrong? Sarahs voice was groggy but concerned.
Ill explain later. Its family stuff.
Hanging up, Emma packed mechanically, her mind eerily clear. She had the addressfound in the messages. A flat in central London, leased for client meetings. Now she knew what *kind* of meetings.
At dawn, leaving James with her mother and promising Sarah would come, Emma took a taxi. The driver eyed her pale face but stayed silent.
The building was a sleek business-class newbuild with a concierge. Emma introduced herself as Mrs. Daniel Carter and was waved through. The lift ride to the twelfth floor made her knees weak. What would she say? Do? And what came *after*?
The door opened to *her*the woman from the photo. Silk robe, tousled hair. Glowing. She frowned at the stranger.
Can I help you?
Im Emma. Daniels wife. Calm surprised her. Mind if I come in?
The womans face shiftedshock, fear, then resolve.
Daniels not here.
I know. Emma stepped forward, forcing her back. Hell come later, right? *As usual*, quoting your message.
The flat was spacious, modern. Two wineglasses on the table. A shirt on the sofa*shed* bought that for Daniels birthday.
You must be Anna? Emma spotted A.W. on a towel in the half-open bathroom.
Yes. Anna crossed her arms. Look, I dont know what to say. I never meant
To wreck a marriage? Emma laughed bitterly. Funny how that happens.
Daniel said you were *over*, Anna muttered. That you stayed together for your son. That you were divorcing.
How original. Emma shook her head. The cheaters script. And you believed him?
II fell for him, Anna admitted. Hes so attentive. Makes time for me, even skips work to see me.
The words stung. For *her*, Daniel never had time. For Anna? Hed drop everything.
Do you even know the *real* Daniel? Emma asked softly. The one who forgets birthdays, misses school plays, cant recall your favourite meal. Who promises to be there but always finds an excuse.
Anna looked away. Emma scanned the flattheir photo on the dresser (*when had he taken that?*), his clothes in the wardrobe, slippers by the sofa.
How long?
Seven months.
Seven months of him coming home, smiling at me, hugging our son, *pretending*. Emma exhaled sharply. I thought he was just tired. Even saw a therapist to fix our marriage.
Annas eyes held something like pity.
Im sorry. I didnt know it was like this.
The door clicked open. Daniel stood frozen, flowers in one hand, shopping bag in the other.
Emma? What?
Guess, she said coldly, holding back tears. Here to meet your *new family*. Funny how youve got time for dinners, overnightseverything you never had for *us*.
Daniel set the bag down slowly.
Emma, let me explain.
Dont bother. She raised a hand. I read your texts. Left your phone at home, rushing to *Edinburgh*, remember?
He paled, running a hand through his haira gesture shed once loved.
I didnt want you finding out like this. I was going to talk after Manchester.
And say *what*? Emmas arms tightened across her chest. That youve got someone else? That you dont love me? Or just that youre bored of family life?
I was going to say weve been strangers for years, Daniel said, weary but firm. We live like flatmates. Youre always working or with James, Im on-site. We dont talk, dont touch, dont *live*. Its not a marriageits endurance.
And instead of fixing it, you ran to *her*? Emmas voice broke. You never *tried*! Never said you were unhappy!
I *did*! he snapped. Remember when I suggested a weekend away? Sending James to your mums? You refusedtoo much work. Our anniversary dinner? Youd rather order in. Every time I tried, you shut me down!
Emma went still. Was he *right*? Had she pushed him away, buried in routine? She remembered *relieved* when he travelledno cooking, no pretending to care about his work. When had love become obligation?
Anna stood quietly.
Ill go. You two need to talk.
No, stay, Emma said dully. This is *your* home. *Yours*. Im leaving.
She turned, but Daniel grabbed her arm.
Emma, *wait*. Lets talk properly. Think about James.
*James?* She wrenched free. Youre joking. You *lied*, built a second life, and now you remember him?
I never forgot him! Daniel insisted. I *love* him! And Ive *provided*
Money isnt enough, Emma whispered. He needs a *father*. Not a visitor who drops by with gifts then vanishes.
She walked out, not looking back. In the lift, alone, she finally let the tears fall. Fifteen years, erased by one text. The life shed builtgone.
Outside, she inhaled the crisp autumn air. What now? Go home, pack, take James to her mums? Stay and throw Daniel out? Try to salvage things for James? Or accept it was over?
She didnt know. She only knew one thing: her life would never be the same. Maybe that was for the best. Maybe from the wreckage, she could build something *true*.
Pulling out her phone, she called Mrs. Higgins.
Its Emma. About Manchester. Yes, Ill go. Today, if needed.
Sometimes moving forward was easier than looking back. Especially when all behind you was ruins.
