The Unwilling Homewrecker
“Unbelievable! My daughters gone and turned into some mans mistress! Did I really raise such a shameless, immoral girl?”
“Mum, please… I didnt know…” Emily sniffled, eyes downcast, her cheeks burning.
“Oh, I know your sort! I didnt know, I didnt realize, batting those innocent lambs eyes while youre just waiting to snatch a married man from his wife. I dont want to see you after this. Get out.”
Emily didnt move from the sofa at first. She half-expected her mother to stop, to laugh it off as some ridiculous jokebut no. Mum was dead serious. She didnt see her daughter, aching for comfort. She saw a scheming homewrecker.
…Perhaps the ghosts of the past still haunted her.
Twenty years ago, in this very room, little Emily had listened as Gran complained over the phone to her friend.
“Yes, Betty, yes! And yesterday he was at that Violets place again! Clocked out of work and straight to her! Oh, Ill give them a piece of my mind…”
Mum sat beside her, eyes dull, twisting the strap of her handbag. She was ready to storm out with Gran, hunting down Grandad like some retired detective.
To Emily, it was just another day. Grandad was always running around with other women, and Gran was always on his tail. Back then, it seemed normal. Like all women were a bit spies, and all men were rotten by default.
Mums story was nearly the sameexcept she refused to put up with it. Emily barely remembered that time. Just Mum crying for months, then finally throwing Dad out. Emily hadnt cared muchhed never really been part of her life anyway.
After that, Mum hardened. Any woman who played the mistress was less than dirt.
“All men are beasts. Theyll go wherever theyre led. Its the women who crawl into marriages who are to blame,” shed tell Emily.
For years, Emily believed it. Until she was twenty-five, she was certain every mistress was a predator, out to hurt another woman. That changed when her friend Sophie got caught in the same mess.
“Em, can you believe it? Hes got another girl! And there was one before me too. He just… used me while they were having problems,” Sophie sobbed into Emilys shoulder.
“How could you not know?”
Emily was stunned. Sophie wasnt the homewrecker typeshe always swore shed never date a taken man. And yet here she wasnot the seductress, but the victim. Maybe even hurting more than the women cheated on.
“How was I supposed to know? Was I meant to dig through his phone? And even if I had, he couldve said she was just an ex. Were adults, most people have a past…”
“What are you going to do?”
Sophie pulled back, gaze distant. It was clear shed already made up her mind.
“Today? Nothing. Just needed to cry on you, if thats alright. But tomorrow… tomorrow Im telling his girlfriend.”
She wants to hurt her, Emily thoughtbut reality was kinder.
“…She deserves to know what kind of snake shes with. Maybe shell tell me to sod off, but Ive got to try. If shes decent, well both dump him. He doesnt deserve either of us,” Sophie said firmly.
Something shifted in Emilys mind. Maybe mistresses werent villains. Maybe they were just unwilling sisters in sorrow. Maybe they hurt too.
It took time, but Emily realizednot everything was black and white.
Her mother never did. Worse still, now Emily had become that fallen woman herself.
For the longest time, Emily avoided relationships. Too many bad examplesGran, the detective in an apron. Mum, raising her alone. Sophie, wrecked by a liar. Emily decided men werent to be trusted.
Then she met James. For ages, they were just friendstalking films, comics, their favorite fictional worlds. They checked in on each other, exchanged birthday gifts. No flirting, no hints.
Then he invited himself over. Came with flowers and wine, ordered takeaway, gave Emily a little taste of happiness. And admitted he liked her.
After that, he visited often. They went to cinemas, cafés. He never invited her to his place, and they didnt meet as much as shed like, but Emily chalked it up to them being busy adults. She preferred slow burns anywayless chance of betrayal.
Turns out, she was right to worry.
“Em, Ive got to tell you… Im actually married. But were only together for the kids,” James said one day.
If she hadnt been sitting, Emily wouldve collapsed. They were in a café. For half a minute, she just stared, trying to process. Then she grabbed her purse, slapped down enough for tea and cake, and stood. Her eyes stung. She just wanted to vanish.
James jumped up, grabbing her shoulders.
“Where are you going?”
“Home. You lied. If Id known… I never want to see you again!” Emily tried to wrench free, but he held tight.
“Em, come on! Its not like Im cheating. Were just roommates.”
“Thats rubbish! If you loved me, youd have left her first! Let go, or Ill scream!”
She cried properly once outside. No way would she let him see her break.
Her heart shattered. The first time shed dared to love, and this was how it ended. Shed known better. Shouldve stayed alone. But shed wanted warmth, closeness…
Emily stood at the bus stop forever but couldnt face going home. She needed someone. Couldnt bear being alone.
So she called Mum. Mum had been through this. Shed understand.
“Mum… can I come over? Im in so much pain…”
“Of course, love.”
She told Mum everything. The moment Jamess wife was mentioned, Mums face darkened.
“Do you even realize what youre doing? Youre stealing another womans husband!”
“Mum, Im not stealing anyone. Im done with him. I didnt check his bloody passport!”
“Oh, dont lie! You said yourself he never invited you over. It was obvious!”
Emily pleaded, even showed their messages. No use.
That night was the worst of her life. Betrayed twiceby the man she loved, and by her mother.
…Six months passed. Emily healed, though the ache lingerednot for James, but for Mum. She tried to mend things, even brought roses for Mums birthday, but Mum slammed the door in her face.
“Stupid girl. Always was, always will be,” Auntie sighed, hearing of the rift.
But James came back. Divorced now. Said he was free and wanted her. Emily took him back. Actions meant more than words.
They built a life. Had a son. James worked, Emily took maternity leave, then returned to her job. Normal stuff. The wound from Mums betrayal scarred over, never fully healing.
Then, six years later, it tore open again.
“Emmie… I know how things are, but you should know,” Auntie said heavily. “Mums in hospital. Had a stroke. Thought youd want to know. Shes still your…”
Emily stopped listening. The world muffled. A boulder crushed her chest.
“You should call her… Youll regret it if you dont,” Auntie urged.
Emily hesitated. Stared at her phone, rehearsed lines. Warm or cold? Would Mum even listen?
Turns out, it didnt matter. She barely got a word out.
“Forget this number! Youre dead to me! Trying to kill me, are you?!” Mum rasped before the line went dead.
“Mum… I just… wanted…” Emily whimpered through tears, but only dial tone answered.
She nearly dropped the phone. Shaking violently.
James found her like that. She buried her face in his shoulder, sobbing like the little girl left alone while Mum hunted Grandad. He held her, stroked her hair, sighed.
“Emmie…” he said softly once he knew. “Youre good to care. But shes never moved past her pain. Maybe she never will.”
“But shes my mum… I cant just abandon her…”
“Can you even reach her? Do you want to? I love you. I know who you are. Isnt that enough? Youll never change her mind.”
It didnt fix everything, but it helped. The next day, she almost went to the hospitalbut walked in the park instead. No more clinging to the past, hoping Mum would change. Emily finally understoodyou cant beg love from someone who sees enemies everywhere. Lifes too short. And shed live hers, even without Mum.
