James ran into his ex-wife, and jealousy turned his cheeks green. He slammed the fridge door so hard the contents rattled. One of the magnets clattered to the floor.
Emily stood across from him, pale, fists clenched.
“Feel better now?” she asked, lifting her chin.
“You grind my gears,” James muttered, voice trembling despite his effort to stay calm. “What kind of life is this? No joy, no future.”
“So its still all my fault?” Emily gave a bitter smile. “Nothing ever lives up to your dreams, does it?”
James waved a hand dismissively. He grabbed a bottle of sparkling water, took a swig straight from the bottle, then slammed it onto the table.
“James, dont just clam up,” Emily said, her voice shaking. “For once, tell me whats really bothering you.”
“Whats there to say?” he grumbled. “Im fed up. Blast it all.”
They stared at each other in silence. Finally, Emily took a deep breath and walked to the bathroom. James slumped onto the sofa. The sound of running water seeped through the doorEmily had probably turned on the tap to hide her tears. But none of it mattered to him anymore.
*A Life Fallen Into Routine*
Three years earlier, they had married. At first, they lived in Emilys parents old flat before moving to a countryside house, putting the flat in their daughters name. The house was spacious but dated, full of worn-out furniture.
At first, James was contentright in town, easy for work. But over time, everything grated on him. Emily loved her “family haven,” its brown wallpaper and old inherited sideboard. To James, it just felt stale.
“Emily, honestly,” hed say, “dont you want to rip up that awful yellow linoleum? Modernise the place?”
“James, we havent got the money for renovations right now,” shed reply calmly. “Id love change too, but well wait for bonuses.”
“Wait? Thats your philosophyjust endure and wait!”
James often remembered falling for Emilya shy student then, with honest blue eyes and a gentle smile. Hed told his friends, “Shes a bud thatll bloom.” But now, it seemed the flower had never opened, already wilting.
Emily didnt think herself invisible. She simply lived her way, cherishing little joysa cup of mint tea, a new tablecloth, a quiet evening with a book. James saw only stagnation.
They delayed divorcingJames didnt want to move back in with his parents, and separate living wasnt an option. Emilys mum, Margaret, always took her side:
“Son, Emilys a good woman. Be glad youve got a home.”
“Mum, you dont get it!” James would snap.
His father just shrugged.
“Let him figure it out.”
At home, James grew colder. “Shes like a shadow, a grey ghost,” he thought. In one fight, he burst out:
“I thought youd bloom into something beautiful! Now? Im stuck with a frostbitten bud.”
It was the first time in months Emily cried.
That same day, everything shattered. James whispered, exhausted:
“Emily, Im worn out.”
“By what?” she asked.
“This life. This endless rut.”
Emily picked up her bag and left. James hoped shed return, beg him to stay. But she walked out calmly:
“Maybe youre better off alone. Move out.”
James exploded.
“I wont leave!”
“Its my parents flat,” Emily said coldly. “And I wont live with someone who sees me as a burden.”
With no choice, James left. Weeks later, the divorce was final.
*The Encounter That Changed Everything*
Three years passed. James still lived with his parents, struggling to start anew. His job paid little, offering only small comforts. One spring evening, as he passed a café, he froze. Emily sat inside.
But she wasnt the Emily he knew. This woman was confidentstyled hair, a smart coat, car keys in hand.
“Emily?” James blurted.
She turned, recognised him, and smiled.
“James? Hello! How are you?”
“Uh fine,” he stammered, unable to look away.
“You?” she asked lightly.
“Seems youre doing better Same job?”
“No, I opened my own flower studio. Terrifying, but I found someone to lean on.”
“Who?”
A tall man in an expensive coat stepped out, wrapping an arm around Emily.
“Darling, tables ready,” he said.
“James, this is Robert,” Emily said. “It was lovely seeing you.”
“Good for you,” James muttered, bitterness rising.
“Thank you,” Emily replied calmly.
Robert nodded, and they walked into the café, leaving James on the cold pavement.
Once, hed said, “Im stuck with a frostbitten bud.” But the bud had bloomedjust not beside him.
