Peter ran into his ex-wife, and jealousy turned his cheeks an ugly shade of green.
He slammed the fridge door so hard the contents rattled. A magnet clattered to the floor. Across from him stood Emily, pale, fists clenched at her sides.
“Feel better now?” she said, chin raised.
“You get on my nerves,” Peter shot back, voice unsteady despite his effort to stay calm. “What kind of life is this? No joy, no future.”
“So its still my fault, then?” Emily’s bitter smile flashed. “Of course. Nothing ever lives up to your dreams.”
Peter opened his mouth but only shook his hand dismissively. He grabbed a bottle of sparkling water, took a swig straight from the neck, then slammed it onto the table.
“Dont just stand there silent,” Emily said, her voice trembling. “For once, tell me whats really eating at you.”
“Whats the point?” he growled. “Im sick of it. To hell with all of it!”
They stared at each other in heavy silence. Finally, Emily took a deep breath and walked to the bathroom. Peter collapsed onto the sofa. The sound of rushing water seeped through the doorEmily turning on the tap to hide her tears. But he didnt care anymore.
### A Life Fallen into Routine
Three years ago, they had married. First, they lived in Emilys parents old flat, then moved to a countryside house, putting the flat in their daughters name. Their home was large but outdated, filled with furniture from another era.
At first, Peter was contentcentral location, easy commute. But over time, everything grated on him. Emily loved her “family refuge,” with its brown wallpaper and old inherited sideboard. To Peter, it was stagnation.
“Tell me honestly,” hed say. “Dont you want to rip up that dreadful linoleum? Modernise the place?”
“Peter, we cant afford renovations right now,” Emily replied calmly. “Id love it too, but we have to wait for bonuses.”
“Wait?! Thats your whole philosophyjust endure and wait!”
He often remembered falling for Emilya shy student then, with honest blue eyes and a soft smile. Hed told his friends, “Shes a bud thatll bloom.” Now it seemed that flower had never opened, just withered.
Emily didnt see herself as invisible. She simply lived quietly, savouring small joyspeppermint tea, a new tablecloth, a peaceful evening with a book. To Peter, it was all monotony.
They didnt rush to divorce. Peter refused to move back in with his parents, and separate living wasnt an option. Emilys mother, Margaret, always took her side:
“Be grateful youve got a home, love.”
“Mum, you dont understand!” Peter would snap.
Her father just shrugged. “Let him figure it out.”
At home, Peter grew colder. “Shes like a shadow now, a grey ghost,” he thought. During one fight, he burst out,
“I thought youd blossom into something brilliant! And now? Im living with a frostbitten bud.”
That was the first time in months Emily cried.
That same night, everything shattered. Peter whispered, “Emily, Im exhausted.”
“By what?” she asked.
“This life. This endless routine.”
Emily grabbed her bag and left. Peter hoped shed return, beg him to stay. Instead, she said quietly,
“Maybe you should live alone for real. Move out.”
Peter exploded. “Im not leaving!”
“Its my parents flat,” Emily said coldly. “And I wont live with someone who thinks Im a burden.”
Peter had no choice. He left. Weeks later, the divorce was final.
### The Encounter That Changed Everything
Three years passed. Peter still lived with his parents, struggling to rebuild. His job paid poorly, and small comforts barely brightened his days.
One spring evening, walking past a café, he froze. There she wasEmily.
But not the Emily he knew. This woman was confident, hair perfectly styled, wearing a tailored coat, car keys in hand.
“Emily?” Peter said, stunned.
She turned, recognised him, and smiled. “Peter? Hello. How are you?”
“Ifine,” he stammered, unable to look away.
“You?” she asked calmly.
“You look better than fine. Still at the same job?”
“No. I opened my own flower shop. It was terrifying, but I had help.”
“Who?”
A tall man in an expensive coat stepped out, slipping an arm around Emilys waist. “Darling, our tables ready.”
“Peter, this is James,” Emily said. “It was nice seeing you.”
“Happy for you,” Peter muttered, bile rising in his throat.
“Thanks,” Emily replied.
James nodded, and they walked inside, leaving Peter on the cold pavement.
Once, hed sneered, *”I live with a frostbitten bud.”* But the bud had bloomedjust not for him.
