She hadnt arrived yet. Lately, she had been swamped with work, staying later each evening.
Emily tucked the children into bed and wandered into the kitchen for a cup of tea. Daniel still hadnt come home. These days, his workload was relentless, and he often worked late.
She pitied his exhaustion and shielded him from household worrieshe was, after all, the sole breadwinner. When they married, they agreed she would manage the home and future children while he provided financially. Three children arrived in quick succession. Daniel delighted in each, insisting they shouldnt stop there.
But Emily was drained, overrun by the endless demands of motherhood. She needed a break from expanding their family.
Daniel stumbled in past midnight, slightly tipsy. When she asked why, he shrugged.
“Em, the lads and I were knackered after work, so we popped out for a quick drink.”
“Oh, you poor love!” Emily forced a smile. “Come on, let me fix you something to eat.”
“Dont bother. We had some bar snacks. Ill just head to bed.”
Mothers Day approached, and Emily, arranging for her mum to watch the children, ventured to the shopping centre. She wanted to celebrate properlya romantic dinner for two. Her mother happily agreed to take the kids overnight.
Besides groceries and gifts, Emily decided to treat herself. It had been ages since shed bought anything nice, and asking Daniel for money for new clothes felt embarrassingwhere would she even wear them? The last thing shed bought was a comfortable loungewear set, hardly fitting for the evening she envisioned.
She stepped into a boutique, selecting a few dresses. As she slipped on the second one, she heard a familiar voice from the next changing room.
“Mmm, I cant wait to get you out of this.”
A womans laughter followed. “Patience, you devil! Go pick something for your wife instead.”
“Why? Shes buried in the kids. They dont care what she wears as long as she feeds them. Ill get her a toaster or a blenderthatll make her happy.”
Emily froze, as if doused in icy water. Silently, she continued trying on clothes, ears straining against the partition.
“What if she asks where you spent so much? A blender doesnt cost that much” the woman teased.
“Why should I explain how I spend MY money? I work; she stays home doing whatever she likes! I give her the housekeepingthats enough. She should be grateful!”
The rustling of clothes stopped, footsteps fading. Emily peeked out cautiously. There was Daniel at the till with a blonde, paying for their purchases. He kissed her full on the lips, indifferent to the shop assistants stare.
“Are you alright, miss?” The saleswoman frowned as Emily remained motionless in the changing room.
“Fine, thanks!” Emily handed over the dresses. “Ill take them all.”
Back home, after her mum left and the children napped, Emily sat in silence, weighing her options. She never imagined Daniel would betray her like this. The infidelity stung, but his dismissal of everything she did cut deeper.
She wanted to scream, to file for divorce immediatelybut she forced herself to think.
“If I divorce him, hell run off with that woman, leaving me and the kids with nothing. Child support? Pennies. How will we survive?”
That night, Daniel didnt stay late “working.” “Already had his fill,” Emily thought coldly. Her love for him had vanishedhe was a stranger now. The thought of his touch repulsed her.
But Daniel, apparently satisfied elsewhere, didnt approach her.
The next morning, Emily drafted her CV and sent it to agencies and firms. Then, she waited. Days crawled by, each morning checking her inbox. Finally, a reply arrivedan interview at a company in town. Ironically, Daniels workplace. After much deliberation, she went.
Her mother watched the children again as Emily headed to the interview. Two hours later, she walked out with a job offerflexible hours, decent pay. Enough to support herself and the kids.
She returned home glowing. Her mother, puzzled, pressed her.
“Mum, Daniels cheating on me!” Emily blurted, relief mixing with defiance. Her mother, convinced she was hysterical, guided her to the sofa.
“Emily, dont be ridiculous! Daniel? Hes at work all day!”
“No, hes with his mistress!” Emily recounted the changing room exchange. Her mother listened, then asked, “What will you do now?”
“Im divorcing him. And Ive got a jobflexible hours. The kids will start nursery soon, and once theyre settled, Ill work full-time.”
“Good for you!” her mother said fiercely. “No one forgives betrayal like that. And he doesnt respect you anymore. Ill help with the children.”
“Thank you, Mum.” Emily hugged her tightly.
On the seventh of March, Daniel came home late again. Emily didnt question him. Surprised by her indifference, he stammered,
“Em, work was mad again”
“Just go to bed,” she interrupted.
The next morning, as she served the children breakfast, Daniel approached with a gifta blender.
“Here, love, to make things easier for you.” He leaned in for a kiss, but Emily stepped back, ignoring the box.
“Ive got a gift for you too.”
Bewildered, Daniel followed her to the hallway, where two large suitcases waited.
“Im filing for divorce. No more excuses. You can leave now.”
“How did you find out?” he muttered, stunned.
“In the changing room, while you were picking gifts for your blonde. You can give that blender to herI dont need it.”
Daniels shock twisted into fury.
“Jealous, are you? That Ive got a woman who actually takes care of herself, unlike you! Youve forgotten how to even put on makeupyou live for the kids, off my back! Its my money, Ill spend it how I like! You just cant stand me spending it on someone elseselfish cow!”
“Im not jealous,” Emily said calmly. “Now get out.”
The next day, she filed for divorce and child support. A week later, her mother-in-law banged on the door, livid.
“Gold-digger! You threw Daniel out and now youre bleeding him dry! Drop the maintenancehe doesnt owe you a penny!”
“Hes not paying me; hes supporting his childrenthe ones he wanted,” Emily shot back. “If he cant afford his mistress, thats his problem. These are his kids too.”
“Whatll you do without his money? You had kids thinking youd live off him forever! It wont workhell get his salary slashed on paper, and youll get scraps! Youll come crawling back!”
“I doubt it.” Emily pointed at the door. “Get out before I call the police.”
Cursing, the woman left.
Months passed. All the children started nursery. A month after the youngest began, Emily transitioned to full-time work.
“Hi.” A familiar voice sounded by her desk. “Can we talk?”
“Sorry, Daniel. Im busy,” she said without looking up.
“Maybe lunch?” He lingered. Emily glanced up. Her ex-husband looked tired, unkempt. Rumor was his blonde had dumped him when half his wages went to child support. But she didnt care.
“No, Daniel. Were not talking. Were not having lunch. Goodbye.”
