**Diary Entry**
I stared into the bin beside the kitchen table and froze. “What on earth is my dress doing here?” I muttered. “Did *I* throw it in there?”
Id asked myself the same question about Daniel a thousand timeswhat had I ever seen in him?
Average-looking, scruffyI was too embarrassed to introduce him to my friends, so as far as they knew, I was still single. Only my sister knew we lived together, and she kept quiet.
Daniel hadnt achieved muchjust a mechanic at the steelworks. Some evenings, watching telly, Id catch myself thinking it was time to end things. But then hed turn up with flowers or some cheap trinket, and Id push the thought aside.
Before me, hed been marriedbriefly. Two months, long enough for a pregnancy and a daughter. When we met, his little girl was already twelve. Id never met her. Never wanted to.
Then, just before my birthdayplanned with the girlsDaniel dropped the bombshell.
“Emily,” he began hesitantly, “my ex has a business trip. Shes asking if I can take Charlotte for a bit.”
“How longs a bit?” I scowled. The last thing I wanted was some strangers child ruining my celebration.
“A month.”
“A *month*?” My frown deepened. “And I suppose were just meant to feed and clothe her all that time?”
“She didnt send any money,” Daniel admitted, helpless.
“You *pay* child support, Daniel! So her mum gets a free holiday while we foot the bill?”
“You know what I earn,” he said weakly.
“Hows this meant to work?” I snapped. “School runs, meals, all of it. Why are you agreeing to this?”
“Shes my *daughter*,” he said, baffled. “Youd rather I turn her away?”
“First, you dont live alone. Second, this is *my* flatyou shouldve asked. Third, its my *birthday*, and I wont have it spoiled!”
Daniel looked guilty but insisted, “Shes not a problem.”
“She *will* be,” I retorted, folding my arms.
The next day, a chubby girl with garish makeuplooking nearer sixteen than twelvestood at our door. She glared at me, then turned to Daniel.
“Where do I sleep?”
“The kitchen,” he said with a forced smile.
She rolled her eyes and locked herself in the loo to cry.
“What was *that*?” I hissed at Daniel. “Rude little brat. Thank God Im celebrating at the café. And youre *not* coming.”
“Why not?” He looked hurt. “I thought youd finally introduce me to your friends. Weve lived together six months”
“Youre babysitting,” I said, relieved not to parade him in front of my friends, whose boyfriends were all gym-toned and polished.
Daniel said nothing else, just nodded, wounded.
The next morning, I was busy prepping for my party. Id ironed my dress and left it hanging, ready. Daniel still hadnt spoken to menot even a “Happy Birthday.” I ignored it.
After work, I rushed home to changeonly to find the dress gone.
“Wheres my dress?!” I stormed into the kitchen, where Charlotte lounged on the camp bed.
She ignored me, scrolling on her phone.
“Answer me!” I snatched it from her.
“Give it *back*!” she shrieked. Daniel rushed in.
“Whats going on? Give her the phone!”
“Wheres my *dress*?” I ground out.
“I didnt take it!” Charlotte sneered. “She just hates me!”
“Give it to her *now*,” Daniel ordered.
“Of course, shell admit it!” I threw the phone. It hit the floor, screen shattered. Charlotte burst into tears. I stalked out, triumphant.
I grabbed another outfit and left for the café, pushing it all aside. By the end of the night, Id made up my mindDaniel and I were done.
I stumbled home at dawn. Daniel was waiting.
“Do you know what time it is?”
“Playing the strict husband now? Too late. Were over. Pack your thingsboth of youby morning.”
“So *Im* the villain?” I laughed bitterly.
“You broke Charlottes phone”
“She *stole* my dress!”
“My daughter didnt take anything!” Daniel snapped. “Im sure of it.”
I scoffed and waved him off.
To calm down, I grabbed an unfinished bottle of wine from the cupboard. One sipthen I spat it out. “Shampoo? Youll say I poured this in too?” I laughed, yanking open the binthen froze. “And heres the dress! Did *I* throw it in here as well?”
“Youve been looking for an excuse to leave!” Daniel shouted. “I know youve wanted this for ages!”
I arched a brow. Oh, I remembered.
“I *set up a recorder*. I heard everythingyour talks with your sister. I *know*.”
“Surprise,” I said coldly. “I *wondered* how you always guessed when I was leaving. Goodbye, Daniel.”
This time, he didnt argue. He knew it was over.