“You’re not his wife,” said the mother-in-law, taking the photo off the wall.
“Emily, love, help your grandma find her keysI cant seem to find them anywhere!” Annas voice trembled with frustration.
Emily looked up from her phone at her flustered grandmother, who stood in the hallway clutching the doorframe, scanning the room.
“Gran, theyre right therein your hand!” she laughed.
“Oh, goodness me! My minds all over the place,” Anna chuckled, though the laugh sounded forced. “Emily, wheres your mum?”
“She took Oliver to nursery. Said shed be back soon,” Emily replied before turning back to her screen.
Anna nodded, walked into the living room, and stopped in front of the wall of photographs. Her eyes lingered on the framed wedding pictureOlivia in her white dress, glowing with happiness, next to James in his sharp suit. It had hung there for eight years.
She reached up, carefully took the frame down, and turned it over in her hands. Then, with a heavy sigh, she carried it to her room.
“Gran, whyd you take the photo down?” Emily called from the hallway.
“Just giving it a wipeits dusty,” Anna replied, though her voice wavered.
In her room, she sat on the edge of the bed, the photo resting on her lap. How beautiful Olivia had been that day. And Jamesso young, so in love. Now now everything was different.
The front door clickedOlivia was back. Anna quickly tucked the photo into her dresser drawer and returned to the kitchen.
“Anna, how are you? Oliver was an absolute terror this morning, fussing nonstop,” Olivia said, shrugging off her coat and draping it over a chair. “Waitwheres our wedding photo? It was just here.”
“What photo?” Anna asked innocently, filling the kettle.
“Ours. The one from our wedding. Did you take it down?”
Anna placed the kettle on the stove and turned around. Olivia stood straight, arms crossed, watching her closely.
“I did.”
“Why?”
“Because its time you faced the truth, Olivia. Youre not his wife anymore.”
Olivia went pale and sank onto a stool.
“What are you talking about?”
“Eight years have passed. Eight! And you still act like a brideyour wedding dress hangs in the wardrobe, I saw it yesterday when I was tidying. You polish that photo every day like its some sacred relic. But life moves on, Olivia!”
Olivia said nothing, just clenched her fists.
“I dont understand what youre getting at.”
“James called this morning. Early, before you were up. Said he needed to have a serious talk. With you. And with me.”
“What kind of talk?” Olivias voice was barely a whisper.
Anna sat across from her and took her hands.
“Olivia, darling, I love you like my own daughter. You know that. Emily thinks of you as her mum, Oliver adores you. But James hes still a young man, only thirty-two. Do you really think hell stay alone forever?”
Olivia yanked her hands free.
“Were married! We have children together! What do you mean, not his wife?”
“Married on paper, maybe. But when was the last time he came homenot to visit the kids, but to be with you? A month ago? Two?”
“Hes busy with work. Always travelling…”
“Oh, Olivia.” Anna shook her head. “Hes working, yes. Just not where you think. I saw him last week near that new shopping centre. With a womanyoung, pretty. Arm in arm, laughing. When he spotted me, he turned red, started babbling about her being a colleague. But you cant hide that look, love. A mans eyes when hes in lovethey shine differently.”
Olivia stood and walked to the window. Outside, a fine rain drizzled, grey clouds hanging low over the rooftops.
“So youre saying I should just accept it? Step aside and let him go?”
“Im saying you need to ask yourselfare you happy? And do you want to keep living like this?”
“What about the children? Emily starts school next year, Olivers still so little. How do I explain that Daddys not coming home?”
“And how do you explain it now? That he visits once a month? That he sleeps on the sofa? That you barely speak?”
Anna stood, placed a hand on Olivias shoulder.
“Emily already knows. Yesterday she asked me why you and James dont hug like her friend Sophies parents do. What should I tell her? That its some game youre playing?”
“I dont know,” Olivia whispered. “I dont know what to do.”
“But I do. Ive lived a long life, seen it all. Love, Oliviaits either there, or it isnt. You cant pretend it into existence, just like you cant pretend happiness. You and James are good peoplejust not for each other. It happens.”
Just then, four-year-old Oliver burst into the kitchen, tousle-haired and rosy-cheeked.
“Mum, Mum! Gran Anna said Dads coming today! Is it true? Is he really coming?” He clung to Olivias arm.
“Its true, sweetheart. Dads coming.” She lifted him into her arms.
“And is he staying? For good?”
Olivia glanced at Anna, who turned back to the window.
“I dont know, Ollie. Hell tell us.”
The boy nodded eagerly, wriggled free, and dashed off to share the news with his sister.
“You see?” Anna said softly. “Children live on hope. And hope that never comes true is worse than the truth. Much worse.”
Olivia sat back down, burying her face in her hands.
“Eight years ago, I was sure wed be happy forever. Remember how James courted me? Flowers every day, reciting poetry. Said he couldnt live without me.”
“Of course I remember. He worshipped you.”
“So what changed? What did I do wrong?”
“Nothing, love. Life just turned out harder than the fairy tale. James married a bright, laughing student. Now he lives with a woman too tired to remember shes more than a mother and a housekeeper. Children came, money got tight, he worked more, came home less. You grew tired, resentful. Remember how you used to greet him? Hair done, smiling. Then it became a dressing gown and complaintswhy was he late, why didnt he get milk, why was he away when Oliver was ill.”
“But I tried!” Olivia choked out. “I kept the house, raised the kids, looked after you when you were ill! I did everything for this family!”
“For the family, yes. But you forgot the woman inside. And James felt that. Men need more than a housekeeper, Olivia. They need a woman who loves themnot just for what they provide.”
The kettle boiled. Anna stood to make tea, her hands unsteady.
“I do love him,” Olivia whispered.
“Do you? Or are you just used to him? Be honest.”
Olivia went quiet. When had she last been glad to see James? When had she asked about his day instead of what hed brought from the shop?
“Maybe he really has met someone someone who makes him happy,” she said slowly.
“He has. Her names Lauren. Works at his firm. Divorced, no children. James told me himself after I cornered him.”
“What did he say?”
“That he never meant for this to happen. That he loves you and the childrenjust differently. Loves them as a father, you as a dear friend. But Lauren? Thats how a man loves a woman.”
“So its decided, then?”
“Nothings decided. Hes torn, Olivia. Afraid of losing the children, of hurting you. But he cant go on like this. Says he feels like a stranger in his own home.”
Laughter spilled from the childrens roomEmily and Oliver playing some game. Olivia smiled faintly at the sound.
“I do feel more like a house manager than a wife,” she admitted. “Making sure everythings clean, the kids are fed, dressed. When James visits, I dont ask for affectionjust help. Watch the kids while I shop, fix the tap.”
“Thats my point. Youve become business partners, not husband and wife.”
“But what else could we do? The kids are little, theres no time, were exhausted! When was there room for love?”
Anna set a steaming cup in front of her.
“Try to remember how it was at the start.”
Olivia sipped the teastrong, bracing.
“We met at my friend Lucys birthday. He was working at a different firm back then, always smiling, joking. Walked me home, talked about books, films. He wanted to start his own business; I was working at the nursery. Felt like we understood each other without words.”
“And then?”
“Then he started showing up every day. We went to cafés, the cinema. I waited for his calls, bought new dresses, did my hair. Felt like the most beautiful woman alive when he looked at me.”
“What changed after the wedding?”
Olivia frowned, thinking.
“Im not sure. Gradually First we moved here, to you. James said it was temporary, till we bought a place. Then Emily was born. I was on maternity leave, he worked all hours. When he came home, Id hand him the babyjust wanted a break! He was exhausted, just wanted dinner and telly. We talked less. Then it was only about the kids, money.”
“And my ailments,” Anna added. “Im no picnic eitheralways some ache or pain. You both treat me like a patient.”
“We care for you!”
“I know, love. And Im grateful. But caring out of duty isnt the same as caring from the heart. James felt the difference.”
Olivia stood, staring out at the rain.
“So Im a bad wife?”
“Not bad. Just lost. I remember the girl who came into this housebright, full of laughter. James couldnt take his eyes off you. Now? Its like youre sleepwalking through life.”
“What choice do I have? The kids are growing, the house never stops, Ill be back at work soon”
“Olivia, do you even want James back? Truly?”
“Of course I do! How can you ask that?”
“Then why havent you called him first in months? Why dont you ask how he is, if he misses home? Why greet him with a shopping list instead of a kiss?”
Olivia turned. Annas eyes held no judgmentjust sadness.
“Im scared.”
“Of what?”
“That if I try to be that woman again and he still leaves, itll hurt more. Easier to accept hes already gone.”
“Thats rubbish! Hes your husband, the father of your children. If you wont fight for him, who will?”
Emily appeared in the doorway, wise beyond her years.
“Mum, is it true Dads not living with us anymore?”
Olivia and Anna exchanged glances.
“Whered you get that idea, sweetheart?” Olivia asked carefully.
“Im not deaf! I hear you and Dad arguing. Hear him tossing on the sofa at night. Ollie cried yesterday, said Dad doesnt love him.”
“Emily, love” Anna began, but the girl cut in.
“Gran, dont. Im not little. Just tell me straightis Dad leaving us or not?”
Olivia crouched, hugging her daughter.
“Emily, Dad could never stop loving you and Ollie. But sometimes adults have problems they need to work through.”
“Are you getting divorced?”
“I dont know yet. Maybe.”
“If you do, do we live with you or Dad?”
“With me, of course!” Olivia blurted, then caught herself. “I mean its up to you. Dad and I will figure it out.”
Emily nodded solemnly.
“Okay. Can I tell Ollie? He keeps asking when Dads moving back.”
“Go on, love.”
As Emily left, Olivia sank back into her chair.
“Shes so grown up. And Ollie feels it too, even if hes little.”
“Children always sense lies. They need honesty and peacenot a performance of family.”
“Anna what if I really tried? To be that woman again? Maybe its not too late.”
Anna took her hand.
“Olivia, love, I want you happy. James too. The children most of all. But happiness cant be forced. If youre ready to fight for your marriage, fight. Just know the outcome isnt guaranteed.”
“Ill try. What if it works?”
“Then thank God. But start with yourself. When did you last get your hair done?”
“I dont remember,” Olivia admitted. “Three months?”
“Go today. Ill mind the kids. Wear something nicenot those tired jeans. Show James the woman you still are.”
“What if he says its over? That hes already decided?”
“Then at least youll know you tried. The children will tooMum fought for us, even if it didnt work. Thats better than them wondering why you didnt bother.”
Olivia stood, catching her reflection in the hallway mirror. She looked wornhair dull, face tired, clothes shapeless.
“You know what? Ill go to the salon. Fix myself up. When James comes tonight, well talk. Properly.”
“Good girl. Ill keep the wedding photo for now. If things work out, it goes back up. If not well, maybe it was time.”
Olivia hesitated at the door.
“Anna, what about you? If James and I split, the kids stay with me. Youd lose them.”
Anna shook her head.
“Emily and Oliver will always be my grandchildren, no matter what. And you youve been like a daughter to me. If James has found love, Ill understand. I just want everyone happy.”
“Thank you. For being honest.”
“Go on, then. Ill tell the kids Mums off to get pretty.”
That evening, Olivia looked differenthair freshly cut and styled, a dress she hadnt worn in years, even a touch of makeup. The children gasped when they saw her.
“Mum, you look like a princess!” Oliver breathed.
“So pretty!” Emily agreed.
James arrived at eight. He stopped in the doorway, staring.
“Hi,” Olivia said softly.
“Hi. You you look beautiful.”
“Thanks.”
The children swarmed him, chattering about their day. He listened, hugged them, answered questionsbut Olivia saw the tension in him.
After dinner, once the kids were occupied and Anna had tactfully retreated, James and Olivia sat alone in the kitchen.
“Your mum said you wanted to talk,” Olivia began.
“Yeah. Olivia, I this isnt easy.”
“I know about Lauren.”
James flinched.
“You do?”
“Your mum told me. James, I wont shout or cry. Just tell me honestlydo you want our marriage to end?”
He ran a hand through his hair.
“Christ, Olivia, I dont know! Im so tangled up. On one hand, the kids, you, this house On the other, Ive realised I can feel different. Happy, not just when I see the kids, but every day.”
“And you cant be happy with me every day?”
“I dont know. Honestly. We havent been husband and wife in so longjust parents, housemates. Sometimes I think were strangers living together out of habit.”
Olivia nodded.
“Ive thought that too. And today I realisedwere both to blame. You stopped being a husband; I stopped being a wife. We became roles, not people.”
“So what now?”
“What do you want now?”
James met her eyes.
“Truthfully? I want to try again. With you. Not pretending nothing happened, but properlylike two adults willing to work at it.”
“And Lauren?”
“Ill talk to her. Tell her I need to give my family a real chance.”
“And if it doesnt work? If we really dont fit anymore?”
“Then we divorce. Cleanly, kindly. Stay friends for the kids.”
Olivia reached across the table. James covered her hand with his.
“Okay. Lets try.”
The next morning, Anna entered the living room with a duster. She paused at the blank space where the wedding photo had hung. After a moment, she went to her room, retrieved the frame, and hung it back on the wall. She stepped back, adjusting it carefully.
Olivia appeared in the doorway, coffee in hand.
“Putting it back?”
“For now,” Anna said. “Its too soon to take it down. Well see.”