Youre ancient, Emily! Im embarrassed to bring you to my business partners, so Ive taken a mistress, my husband declared, his voice as blunt as a hammer.
Lately, Emilys been swamped. She opened her own tailoring shop in Manchester, stitching bespoke garments and pouring every spare hour into the venture, hoping it would soon shine under the spotlight. When she remembered that tonight was a charity dinnersomething her husband had mentioned in passingshe felt a jolt of guilt.
Simon told her she didnt have to go. He said he understood how busy she was and would attend alone, but he warned against treating the family with indifference. Emily called the event manager and explained that she couldnt make it; she had an evening full of commitments and needed to look the part.
She drew a hot bath, added a splash of lavender oil, and settled in to unwind. The citrus and pine scents filled the room as she closed her eyes. The phone, perched on the bathroom ledge, rang. She wiped the foam from her hand, dabbed a towel, and answered.
Mom? shouted Charlotte, her daughter studying abroad in Spain. I miss you so much! I cant wait to hug you. Even though Im not a little girl anymore, youll always be my mum.
Hey, sunshine! Emily replied. Ive read about your new shopbrilliant work. Does dad pride himself on it? I was surprised when you sent me the link. How do you juggle everything, even helping dad?
Emily explained, I didnt want to brag, but the orders have started coming in. I love itfinally a chance to be creative. The business my father and I built together always felt stifling. I dreamed of a space where I could express myself, and now that dream is alive.
They chatted about the weather, then Charlotte hurried off to her university. She was on an exchange programme and would be back in half a year. Emily smiled, grateful for her family, and kept that warmth with her until she reached the restaurant hosting the charity dinner.
At the entrance, a security guard stopped her. Im sorry, maam, you cant get in without an invitation.
Then call my husband. He has a twoperson ticket, she retorted.
Whats your husbands surname?
She rolled her eyes at the dismissive tone. BessellSimon Bessell. Check the list.
The guard scanned the guest book, exchanged a glance with his colleague, and chuckled. Youve got it wrong, lady. Simon Bessell already entered with his wife.
How? Emily asked, bewildered.
It says here he arrived with his spouse, so you cant slip past us. This is a private affair, and journalists without a pass arent welcome.
From behind, a smooth, familiar voice called, David, whats happening? Emily turned to see her old schoolmate David, whom she hadnt spoken to since they left school.
David? she exclaimed. I didnt expect to see you. The guards think my husband already entered with his wife, so theyre refusing me, she complained.
David smiled warmly, nodded at the guard, and said, Shes with me.
Emily didnt know how to thank him. She had planned a surprise for Simon, but perhaps she should have called ahead. She wondered whether Simon, like David, would have used his invitation to bring someone else.
David, once the kid who constantly got sent to the headmaster for his poor grades, now looked like a respectable director. Hows life treating you? Still married to that gentleman? he asked, still grinning.
We built everything together from the ground up, Emily replied, handing him a business card. If you ever need a custom suit, just let me know.
She scanned the room for Simon, then asked David, And you? Youve exceeded everyones expectations and landed a good job?
All that academic record meant little, David said modestly. You havent changed a bitstill as stunning as ever. Its nice to run into you like this.
Emily remembered Davids teenage crush, which shed rejected in favour of her career ambitions. After university, shed drifted away from old friends.
When Simon finally appeared, Emily thanked David again and hurried to her husband. Simon beamed, My wife is my inspiration, he declared, making Emilys heart flutter. That feeling lasted only until Simon pulled a younger woman into his arms and planted a kiss on her cheek.
Polly, would you like a drink? the newcomer asked.
Emily, standing frozen, wondered if Simon was now introducing a new wife. I dont mind, she said, though she was a few metres away, watching the flirtatious girl and his companions.
Simon turned, eyes widening in horror. He cleared his throat, apologized to his guests, and walked toward Emily. The mistressperhaps a bit older than his daughterfollowed, clicking her heels.
What are you doing here? Simon whispered to Emily.
I came to support my husband. You said this was an important event, Emily replied calmly, eyeing the girl who was now hovering near him. No explanation?
You shouldnt be here! Simon snapped, then turned to the mistress. Polly, step aside and grab a bite. Ill be back soon. He grabbed Emilys elbow and hustled her toward the garden exit. Once they were a safe distance from the crowd, he glared. You could have ruined everything. I didnt bring you.
You brought someone else? Emily shot back.
She realised shed grown tired of drama. She watched Simon, trying to understand what he lacked. Why, after twenty years, would he seek such a reckless fling? His companions werent fools; theyd seen his family photos before.
Youre old, Emily! Im ashamed to show you to my partners, so I took a mistress. What did you expect? In our circle a wife must sparkle, not look like a tired horse, Simon sneered. Your role is perfect.
It seemed Simon held auditions for mistresses, even giving them names similar to his wifes. Emily felt a deep, bitter disappointment.
Of course she looks lovely. She doesnt have to help with the annual report or figure out where to invest to stay afloat. Good choice, Simon, he added, shaking his head.
Twenty years of marriage, and you think Im the only one youve ever had? Thats normal, it wont affect our future. Leave now; Ill be home soon and well talk, he said.
There was nothing left to discuss. Emily decided she wouldnt pretend a pictureperfect marriage just because others did. Shed seen that a man who betrays once will do it again; indulging in fantasies was futile. She resolved to thrive on her own. Her boutique was flourishing, and shed claim her rightful share.
Simon left, and Emily sat on a bench beneath a dim streetlamp, trying to process everything and consider how to explain it to her daughter. David sat beside her, silent but comforting. He didnt intrude, yet his presence soothed her. They recalled school antics, laughed, and for a moment Emily felt like the carefree girl she once was. I used to dream of growing up, now I wish I could go back to school, she sighed.
I get that, David replied. If you ever need a hand, Im here. I can give you a lift home if you like.
David, though an observer, understood the unspoken truth: the partners would keep smiling at Simon, each playing their part without rehearsal, elegantly.
Would your wife mind? David asked. I wouldnt want any trouble.
I dont have a wife now. I never really fell in love again. Ive had relationships, but nothing lasting, David admitted.
Emily accepted his offer without pressing about his job or expensive carmoney never mattered to her. Shed built her career and home on her own. Even when Charlotte was born, Emily worked nights to keep the accounts and support Simon. She was his muse, conjuring fresh ideas for the business, until she finally burnt out.
After saying goodbye to David, Emily entered the boutique that had once been her sanctuary but now felt foreign. She decided that Charlotte was old enough to handle any news about a divorce, so she kept it to herself for now. Simon had never supported the idea of parting ways.
Youre a good wife, just what the business needsa pretty face, Simon had once said. But the money doesnt grow on trees, does it? Emily had retorted.
Think about our daughter. A split would hit her hardest. Does that please you? Simon asked.
Its too late for you to think about her, Simon, Emily replied coldly.
They slept in separate rooms. The next morning Emily moved into a flat next to her shop, unwilling to share a roof with a deceitful spouse. Simon fought the divorce fiercely, but the legal battle forced them to split assets. Initially Emily wanted to keep the house and leave the business, but eventually she claimed everything that rightfully belonged to her. In the end, the court awarded an even split, despite Simons attempts to bribe the judge.
Simon tried to call Charlotte, hoping shed sway her mother, but Charlotte stood firmly with Emily, refusing to meet her father. She returned home, helped with the boutique, and never forgave the betrayal.
Emilys life gradually steadied. Letting go of two decades of marriage wasnt easy, but she pressed on, buoyed by her work and her daughters support. Simons fortunes faltered without her; he tried repeatedly to win her back, pleading and promising change, but broken trust cant be mended.
The boutiques reputation grew, orders surged, and expansion loomed. One day the phone rang.
Its David, the voice said. I have your card for a suit
David, were swamped, but well make an exception for you, Emily replied, smiling.
Honestly, I just wanted an excuse to call. How about coffee? he suggested.
Emily laughed and agreed, feeling perhaps this was a fresh start. She no longer chased the future hurriedly; shed learned to value herself first. Time flies, but she wouldnt throw herself into extremes, fearing solitude in old age. Her heart told her she wasnt wrong, and with David, there was a chance for happiness.
