One evening, a man came home and said, “I’m sorry. I’ve fallen for someone else. Ill help with the boys. Im leavingforgive me if you can.”
And just like that, Oliver walked out, leaving Sophie with the children. The next day, a chat with the neighbour opened her eyes.
Sophie had married late. Before that, shed been buried in her studies, then swallowed whole by her career. Thats where shed met Oliverbumping into him in her usual rush to the office. Hed fallen for her instantly. That same evening, as she left work, Oliver appeared out of nowhere, holding an umbrella over her head and presenting a bouquet. Flowers, surprises, giftssix months later, they were married. A year after that, their first son arrived.
Sophie had put on a bit of weight during pregnancy, but Oliver didnt mind. Then came their second boy, and Sophies figure changed even more. She never went back to work, devoting herself to the house and the boys. Meanwhile, Oliver had started his own little computer repair business. She didnt notice how distant hed become. That last year was especially roughOliver vanished into work, always off on “business trips.” Turns out, those trips werent to other cities at all.
Then, one evening, he came home and calmly said, “Im sorry. Ive fallen for someone else. Ill help with the boys. Im leavingforgive me if you can.” Sophie hadnt seen it coming. Only the next day did their neighbour reveal Oliver had been cheating for ages. Sophie wasnt herself for months.
Eight months later, the intercom buzzed. Oliver had come to see the children. Sophie exchanged a few words, then headed to the kitchen. Thats when her phone rang. “Hi there,” she answered. “Thought youd forgotten about us.”
“Never,” came the cheerful reply. “How could I forget happiness? Ill pick you all up tomorrowyou and the boys will love the new place. Love you.”
Sophie hung up, smiling. Henry had proposedtheyd be moving in together. She turned to check on the boys, only to find Oliver standing there, having heard everything.
“Am I too late?” he asked, staring at the floor.
“Yep!” Sophie chirped, grinning.
