**Diary Entry**
I checked my sleeping husbands phone just to see the time, and there it wasa notification that shattered my world.
*No, Mrs. Whitmore, I cant take leave right now! The quarterly reports are due, and the tax audit is looming!* My hands trembled as I shuffled papers on my desk, avoiding my bosss steely gaze. *Please, someone else has to go.*
*Who else?* Mrs. Whitmore leaned forward, her sharp suit pulling taut. *Marys on maternity leave, Sarahs off with her sick child, and Olivia would mix up the entire filing system! Youre the only one who can handle the branch inspections.*
*But my sons still recovering, my mother cant come to help, and my husbands always away for work.* My throat tightened. *I cant just disappear for a week in Manchester!*
*Your personal issues arent my concern,* she snapped. *Either go, or hand in your resignation. Choose now.*
I left her office feeling hollow. In the hallway, my colleague Jessica caught up, sympathy in her voice. *That bad, huh? I heard the shouting.*
*Worse,* I sighed. *I dont know how to manage this. Jamies barely over pneumonia, and Daniels in Edinburgh for work. How am I supposed to sort this mess?*
*What about your mother-in-law? Could she watch Jamie?*
I gave a bitter laugh. *Oh, sure. Margaret thinks her grandson is solely my responsibilityher only job is critiquing how I raise him. No, thanks.*
Back at my desk, I stared blankly at reports, my mind miles away. Thirty-eight, and still stretched thinwork, motherhood, the house. And Daniel? Never there when I needed him most.
That night, once Jamie was asleep, I collapsed onto the sofa. My head throbbed. I called Daniel, but no answeranother late meeting, no doubt. Fifteen years of marriage, and Id grown used to his absences. But tonight, the loneliness felt crushing.
Finally, he called back. *Hey, love. Sorry I missed youits been mad here.* His voice was exhaustion itself.
*Daniel, Ive been assigned a week in Manchester. Jamie isnt well enough for school. Can you come home?*
Silence. Then*Emily, you know I cant. The project deadlines in two weeks. Id Id love to, but*
*But you cant. As usual.*
*Dont start,* he muttered, irritation creeping in. *Im not lounging about. Im workingfor us.*
*So am I!* I snapped. *Except Im also raising our child, keeping the house running, washing your shirts, cooking*
*Emily, not now,* he cut in. *Im dead on my feet. What about your mum? Or ask Claire next door to watch Jamie after school.*
*Easy for you to say,* I whispered, tears burning. *Fine. Ill figure it out. Like always.*
After the call, I sat in the dim glow of the telly, emptiness swelling inside me. When had we stopped being partners? When had we become two strangers, too tired to even talk?
The next three days blurred. I convinced Mrs. Whitmore to delay the trip a week, begged my mum to come from Surrey to watch Jamie. Daniel was due back Saturdayjust before I left for Manchester.
On Friday, I worked late prepping files. Mum was asleep in the guest room, Jamie in his bed. When the phone rang, I jumped.
*Emily, its me.* Daniels voice was thick with guilt. *II have to stay another two days. Problems with the project.*
*What?* My stomach dropped. *Daniel, I leave Sunday! We agreed!*
*I know!* He sounded genuinely sorry. *But if I dont finish, we lose the bonus. Its a lot of money, Em.*
*And me taking Jamie on a work trip doesnt matter?* I hissed, keeping my voice down.
*Your mums already there, isnt she? She can handle a few more days. Ill be back Tuesday, promise.*
*Mums seventy-one, Daniel! She can barely walk with her arthritis!* My grip on the phone turned my knuckles white. *Shes waited two months for her doctors appointment on Monday!*
*Then ask Claire or hire a sitter.* His patience frayed. *Figure it out, Em. I cant be in two places at once!*
*But I can?* My voice cracked. *Its always me spinning plates, fixing everything! When was the last time you took care of Jamie? The house? Me?*
*I work like a dog so we can afford this life!* he exploded. *So Jamie has everything he needs! What more do you want?*
*For you to be here,* I said softly, tears falling. *Just here, when it matters. But I guess thats too much.*
I hung up and pressed my hands to my face. What now? Call Mrs. Whitmore and risk my job? Leave Jamie with my frail mum? Hire a stranger?
Exhausted, I dozed at the desk. I woke with a stiff neck2:30 a.m. I stumbled to bed, needing my phone to set an alarm. Then I spotted Daniels on the nightstand. Hed left it behind in his rush.
*Just check the time,* I thought, picking it up. The screen lit: 2:37. And thena notification.
*Last night was perfect. Cant wait to see you tomorrow. Love you, my darling. A.*
My fingers went numb.
I unlocked itthe PIN was Jamies birthday. The messages left no doubt. Daniel had been seeing her for six months. His *business trips* were lies. He wasnt in Edinburgh. He was here. With *her.*
I stared at the photo in their chata woman with auburn hair, bright smile, effortless beauty. Younger. Prettier. Everything I wasnt after years of stress and sleepless nights.
Another message popped up: *Not replying? Asleep already? Sweet dreams, love.*
Rage surged. My first thought? Call him. Scream. Shatter his world like hed shattered mine.
But no. This wasnt a phone conversation. I needed to see his face when he explained.
Instead, I called Claire. *Can you watch Jamie tomorrow? I have to go away. Its family stuff.*
At dawn, I left Jamie with Mum, took a taxi to Manchester. The flat was in a posh new building. The concierge let me up without question.
She answered*A.* Alice. Silk robe, tousled hair. *Can I help you?*
*Im Emily. Daniels wife.*
Her face paled. *Hehes not here.*
*I know,* I said, stepping inside. *But hell be back. As usual, right?*
The flat was immaculatedesigner furniture, half-empty wine glasses, Daniels shirt tossed on the sofa. *Our* shirt.
*Alice, how long?*
*Seven months.* Her voice was small. *He said you were over. That you stayed for Jamie.*
I laughed bitterly. *Classic.*
*Hes different with me,* she whispered. *Attentive. Romantic. Hehe leaves work early just to see me.*
Each word was a knife. For *her*, he had time.
The door opened. Daniel stood frozen, flowers in hand. *Emilywhat?*
*I saw your texts,* I said, numb. *And I met Alice. Your business trips. Your second life.*
He dropped the bouquet. *I was going to tell you after Manchester*
*Spare me.* I turned to leave.
*Emily, wait!* He grabbed my arm. *We havent been happy in years. Were just roommates.*
*And instead of fixing it, you ran to her?* My voice broke. *You didnt even try!*
*I did!* His voice rose. *I booked us a weekend awayyou said work was too busy. Our anniversary dinner? You wanted takeaway instead. Every time I tried, you pushed me away!*
The truth hit like ice. Had I? Had we both let us crumble?
Alice stood. *I should go.*
*No,* I said. *This is your home. Mines gone.*
Daniel caught me at the door. *Think of Jamie.*
*Now you care?* I wrenched free. *You lied for months! Built a life with her! Dont pretend this is about him.*
Outside, I finally let the tears fall. Fifteen years, gone in an instant.
I called Mrs. Whitmore. *Ill take that assignment. Today.*
Sometimes running forward is easier than looking back. Especially when all thats behind you is ruins.
