“Tatu, you’ve completely stopped talking to us,” thought Eleanor as she walked home, dreading the words she might hear: “I’ve fallen in love with someone else!” Could she survive hearing that, let alone understand it? And what about the kids? They adored their dad.
Flipping on the lights, Nicholas confirmed the house was empty. The boys schoolbooks were scattered in their roomtheyd clearly done their homework but, as usual, left a mess. He sank into his favourite armchair, covering his face, unsure how to start the conversation with his wife.
“Im just exhausted,” he muttered to himself. “I hate coming back to an empty house.” He dialled his oldest sons number.
“Oliver, where are you? Im home, and no ones here.”
“Mum and I are at Gransshes not feeling well. Well be back soon.”
Nicholass stomach twisted. How could he even begin this talk? Vera was 25, with fiery red hair and emerald eyesshe couldve had any man, yet shed chosen him. A decade younger and stunning, she was everything Eleanor wasnt.
Lately, leaving Veras flat had become agony. Excuses flowed effortlesslymaybe retirement would let him write novels, given how smoothly he spun lies to his wife.
Eleanor was sharpa marketing manager, respected for her quick mind and steady patience. She was lovely, but not extraordinary like Vera, especially when Vera greeted him in silk robes.
Hed always believed their marriage was solid. Eleanor balanced work and motherhood flawlessly. No one saw this coming
The key turned in the lockhis pulse spiked. Not tonight. Tomorrow, hed tell her. The boys raced in, chattering about school.
“Nicholas, want dinner?”
“No, Im tired, Eleanor. Ill just sleep.”
Lately, his behaviour unsettled her.
At breakfast, Nicholas was silent and brooding.
“Dad, you never talk to us anymore,” Oliver said.
“Dont be daft. Grown-ups have problems kids dont need to know about. Hurry up if you want a lift.”
Eleanor packed snacks and apples, her worry deepening. “Ill talk to him tonight,” she decided, heading to work.
But dinner passed without Nicholas. He slunk in near midnight, offering no explanation. She heard him gulp water in the kitchen before retreating to bed.
The next morning, she cornered him. “Care to explain whats going on?”
“Well talk tonight,” he said flatly.
***
“Hes got another woman,” said Nadia when Eleanor confided in her.
“After ten years of marriage? Dont be crude.”
“Then whys he avoiding you? Late nights, silent treatment?”
“How would you know?” Eleanor frowned.
“Been there. Trust me, I dont envy you.”
Dread coiled in Eleanors chest. She didnt want to hear: “I love someone else.” But avoiding it wouldnt change anything. She quickened her pace home.
Alone at the kitchen table, she tensed at the click of the lock. Tonight, Nicholas was oddly cheerful, even asking about dinner.
“Where are the boys?”
“Doing homework. But I can feed you alone.”
He nodded, eating under her gaze. Smart, hardworking, gentleonce, hed loved everything about her. Not anymore.
“Delicious,” he praised.
“Talk now,” she demanded.
Silence. He reached for bread, chewing slowly. Finally, the meal ended. The quiet thickened until Nicholas spoke, eyes down.
“Eleanor, Ive fallen for someone else. Im leaving. Ill still see the boys, but were done.”
A breath. “Youre tossing us aside for your ego? Easier to abandon your kids than deny yourself?”
No reply. He knew she was right.
“Do I even get a say? Or have you decided?” Her voice hardened. “Listen well, Nicholasif you walk out, dont expect me to take you back.”
“I know. But Veras pregnant. I cant leave her alone with a baby.”
“Yet youll leave *your* two? Shame doesnt touch you, does it?”
“Dont make this ugly. Divorces happenkids adjust.”
“A baby? Shes lying to rush you out!”
“Stop.”
“Fine. But how will you tell *them*?”
“Boys, come here,” Nicholas called.
They trotted in. “Mum, were hungry.”
“Your father has something to say.” She moved to the window.
“Eat first,” Nicholas stalled.
Afterwards, Oliver asked, “What did you want to tell us, Dad?”
Eleanor didnt shield him. Gathering dishes, she said, “Your dads found another woman. Hes moving in with her.”
“*Us*?” they cried in unison.
“Youll have a new mum and live as four. I wont interfere.”
Stunned silence. Then Eleanor grabbed her bag, documents, cards, and left.
“Dad is it true?” Oliver whispered.
Nicholas choked. “Bed. Now.”
***
Eleanor stayed with Nadia, who backed her completely.
“You did right,” Nadia said.
“The boys” Eleanor wept.
“Theyll be okay. Nicholas is a prat, but he loves them.”
Dawn found Eleanor sleepless. At work, she clutched her coffee, replaying the wreckage. Their marriage was overno forgiveness for this.
Once, Nicholas had courted her for a year. Shed expected happiness. Instead, life had humbled her. Even Nadia had called him a good man.
But love had crumbled under betrayals too vast to pardon.
The phone rang. Nicholass voice snapped, “When are you taking the boys? How could you leave them?”
“*You* did! We vowed to care for them together. I kept my wordyou traded them for some *tart*!”
“Enough! Be home tonight.”
She hung up, staring blankly at her screen. Resolve crystallizedshed purge him from her mind. The boys needed her.
At lunch, she fetched them from school. Oliver sprinted to her; soon after, little Michael followed. “Mum, I missed you.”
“Me too. Listen: no matter what happens with Dad, Ill always love you. Always.”
Michael clung to her. “I dont want a new mum.”
“I know, sweetheart. Dad fell for someone else. Hell visit, but youll live with him and her. Ill see you daily. Im *always* here.”
Oliver, wiser, asked, “You wont leave us?”
“Never,” she smiled.
She dropped them home, heart lighter. Meanwhile, Vera rang Nicholas, whining, “Youve vanished! I need you *tonight*.” Click.
The boys awaited him, homework done, TV murmuring.
“Wheres Mum?”
“Dunno.”
“Lessons finished?”
“Yes.”
“Grab your things. Were moving.”
“To *her* place?”
“Yes.”
“But we dont *want* her!”
“Tough. Your mum left *you*.” Michael opened his mouth, but Oliver hissed, “*Quiet*.”
An hour later, they stood at Veras door.
“Finally,” she purred, flinging it openthen froze at the trios stares. Oliver shut his eyes.
“Go change,” Nicholas ordered.
Vera scoffed. “This is *my* home. I dress how I like. Who are *they*?”
She moved to slam the door, but Nicholas blocked it, barging in.
“Youll share a room tonight. Well figure it out.”
Vera gaped. “Wrong address?”
“Shut up. Ill explain.”
“Fine. Bedroom. *Now*.”
***
The boys heard vicious arguing, then Veras sobs. Silence. They slept fitfully.
Morning came. Nicholas roused them. “Wash up. Breakfast.”
“Vera, wheres the food?”
“Did *you* buy any? Ask again when you do,” she sneered, flouncing off.
He gave them tea and toast, then drove them to school.
After class, Eleanor met them. They spilled everythingVeras tantrums, the fights. She nearly smiled.
“Hungry?”
“*Yes*.”
This routine held for a week. Friday, Nicholas didnt take them to Veras. They ordered takeaway, feasted, then he left briefly.
Returning, he announced, “Were staying home.” Vera was the reason.
This time, shed greeted him in pyjamas, refusing entry. No warmth, no eye contact. Yet Nicholas felt nothinghis infatuation had died.
“Vera, theyre *my kids*. I wont abandon them, even for you.”
“I don
