Nothing Can Be Fixed
Life for Simon had split into two uneven parts: before Lisa and after. But now, standing before the locked door of his own home, he realized there was a third part”after the after.” And it was empty.
At thirty-seven, Simon Fletcher was a well-known expert in the beauty industry, owned a house and a flat, and hadnt worried about money in years. But none of it had saved his marriage.
Theyd met when he was twenty-two. Emily was just seventeen, fresh out of school, her dreams of university still timid and uncertain. She was breathtakingly beautiful, and hed liked her immediately. But when, a year later, she told him she was pregnant, his first reaction was fear.
“Maybe not now?” Simon asked carefully, avoiding her gaze. “Youve only just started studying”
“Ill think about it,” she murmured.
But there was nothing left to think aboutwhether from inexperience or intention, Emily had missed all the deadlines. Her parents came to meet the father of their grandchild, polite but cold, demanding nothing. Only as they left did her father mutter through gritted teeth, “Dont worry. Well raise it ourselves.”
Guilt and a dormant sense of duty pushed Simon to propose. He married without joy or excitement, just a vague feeling it was the right thing to do.
The first years of marriage were a struggle. He was still finishing his degree, she was at home with the baby. Money was tight, and they relied on their parents. Emily never complained. Before shed even graduated, she found part-time work.
“Why?” Simon honestly didnt understand. “That money wont even cover mascara! Our daughters only two, and shes already in nursery or with her grandparentsshe hardly sees her own mother!”
“Then start earning more!” his wife shot back, steel in her voice for the first time. “Get a job at a private clinic!”
“With my experience? They wouldnt even hire me as a cleaner!” he snapped.
Emily never asked for anything for herself, but her complaints grew frequent: Simon didnt help at home, didnt spend time with their daughter, didnt earn enough. The classic struggles of a young family surviving in London.
After graduating, she took a full-time job and shot up the career ladder. Late nights, business trips, office parties. The house grew empty. Simon, meanwhile, spent more time with their daughter, telling himself, “Its fine. Once the work rush fades, things will settle.” But they never did. Emily seemed to avoid home on purpose.
One evening, as she cooked, Simon wrapped his arms around her and whispered, “Lets have another. A son.”
Emily froze, then gently pulled away. “Start earning properly first. Then well talk.”
It was during those cold, distant days that Lisa entered his lifea young, cheerful, undemanding assistant from a neighboring department. She adored him, laughed at his jokes, was warm and easy. She became his escape. He seriously considered leaving his family, held back only by thoughts of his daughter.
Then, years later, when Simon was earning well, the impossible happened. His wife brought up having another child.
“On one condition,” Simon said firmly, confident in his finances. “Family comes first. Work second. Ill provide for all of us.”
Emily agreed. She got pregnant almost immediately and changed. The house smelled of baking again, warmth returned, she softened. Simon was relieved, but it didnt stop him from taking Lisa on secret trips, pretending they were work assignments. Lisa knew nothing of the pregnancySimon had convinced her he and his wife slept in separate rooms.
Then Lisa started acting strange: too much perfume, tears, unexplained resentment, side-eyes at his phone.
“How are things at home?” she asked once, feigning casualness.
“Same as always,” he brushed her off.
Then came the visit. Emily came to his officethe first time in yearsto drop off forgotten documents. Lisa saw the bump. The moment the door shut, she erupted.
“You knew! You knew and said nothing!” she screamed, loud enough for three floors to hear.
“Knew what? Calm down!”
“I messaged your wife! A month ago! I told her everything!”
Simon didnt believe her. He demanded proof, wrestled her phone away. The message was there: “Simon and I love each other He deserves real love Dont stand in our way”
Emilys reply? Two words: “Alright, Lisa.”
That was it.
Now Simon understood Lisas recent behaviorshed been waiting for a reaction he knew nothing about. Because Emily had acted completely normal, living with a cheating husband for over a month without a hint of anger.
Stunned, Simon ended things with Lisa, told her to find another jobhe hadnt expected such betrayal. She begged, but he wouldnt lose his family.
That evening, he confessed. Emily sat at the kitchen table, sipping tea.
“You knew?” he asked, heart pounding.
“Knew what? About that girl?” She looked up, surprised. “I thought it was a scam or a crush. I didnt think it was serious. If it is, youre free to leave.”
She asked him to move out. Simon refused”Were having a baby!”swore it was over with Lisa. He stayed in the guest room. Emily never pried but never fully reconciled either, speaking only when necessary. She went into early labor, complications followed. Simon took leave to help, showered her with gifts, devoted himself to the family. He adored his son.
A year and a half passed. Simon thought the nightmare was over, that Emily had forgiven him. Then she announced she was returning to work.
“We agreed!” he snapped. “Family first! James is still a babywait till hes three! We have the money!”
“That agreement,” she said coldly, “belongs to the past. Before Lisa.”
Simon gave in. Emily went back to work. A nanny came. Life became endless rushing, calls, petty fights, brief truces.
Then, last year, he bumped into Lisa. Memories flooded back; they went for coffee. Still single, still warm and sweet. Guilt and foolish bravado made him offer her a jobhis friend needed an assistant. She accepted.
A week later, they were back where they started.
It ended six months later. At a birthday party, Simons drunk friend raved about his new assistant:
“Lisas brilliantgolden hands, easygoing, efficient! Dont know how I managed without her. Simon, youre a legend for recommending her!”
Clueless about their affair, he sang her praises in front of everyone, including Emily. She smiled, nodded, said nothing. A week later, she handed Simon a stack of printoutsmessages, screenshots, photos.
“Move out,” she said simply. “If you dont, Ill take the children and go.”
He left. Within a week, he wanted nothing more than to return. He brought toys for the kids, huge bouquets for Emily. She accepted the gifts for the children with icy politeness, the flowers went into a vase by the door like a forgotten umbrella.
One night, he caught her alone. The children slept.
“Just tell me what to do to make you forgive me. Ill fix everything. I dont want anyone but you. Lisas gone.”
Emily looked at him, indifferent. “You still dont understand, do you? Lisa doesnt matter. You broke us years ago, when you asked if I wanted an abortion. You married me out of guilt, tolerated me, while I just wanted you to love me. I spent years trying to be good enoughlook good, earn well, keep house. But all you ever wanted was someone easy, warm, and undemanding. Im tired of trying. Leave.”
He stepped outside, and it hit him. His wife hadnt been quietly seething all these years. Emily had simply stopped loving him long ago. Her silence after Lisas message wasnt forgiveness. It was a verdict, delivered quietly, without drama. Shed been waiting all along for him to finally read it.
