I’m Sorry for How Things Turned Out

**Friday, 15th March**

I still cant believe how it happened.

“Michael, are you sure youve packed everything? Shouldnt you double-check?” I called out, hovering outside the bathroom door.

“Emma, leave me alone! Ive got it allyou saw the suitcase,” he shouted over the shower. But his voice his voice wavered. Or did I imagine it?

“I saw the suitcase. What youve stuffed in itno,” I muttered, stepping back.

“Emma, make me a coffee, would you? Strong. No milk,” he added calmly as the water shut off.

I went to the kitchen, pulled out the kettle without a word, filled it, scooped in the grounds, a pinch of saltjust how he liked it. We have a coffee machine, but Michael always preferred my tea. “Youre so thoughtful,” hed said just the other night, coming home late from work and finding dinner wrapped in a tea toweljust like my nan used to doto keep it warm.

Lately, hed been working later and later. Career climbing, he called it. Prepping for a promotion. And me? I faded into the background. Cooking, ironing, enduring.

“What a heavenly aroma!” Michael strode in, pushing damp hair from his forehead. He sat at the table, reaching for his mug.

“Emma, the couriers coming todayordered a car cover. Can you take it? Cash on delivery,” he said, stirring in a teaspoon of sugar.

“Of course. Same as always,” I replied, sitting across from him.

“This trip couldnt have come at a worse time,” he sighed. “But I cant say no. Its an opportunitymaybe the only one. Senior managerno joke.”

“Right I didnt think a role like that would mean trekking across the Midlands.”

“Managements whims. Well, Ive got half an hour leftIll check emails.”

He stood, walked to the other room. Left his mug behind. No matter. What could I expect? Hes under pressure.

I reached for his cupthen his phone buzzed. A message. I opened it.

*”Emma, Michaels lying. Theres no work trip. Hes flying to Italy with Olivia Carter. Stop him before its too late. Hell ruin his life over this.”*

Alice. His younger sister.

Something snapped inside me. Him with Olivia? Impossible. A joke? But Alice wasnt the type to joke about something like this. And she wouldnt lie.

The room spun. The air thickened like cement. I gasped, poured myself waterslumped back into the chair.

I wanted to scream. To smash everything. But only one thought stuck: *”Why?”*

Fists clenched, I wanted to storm in, rip off the mask. But I didnt. He wasnt worth it.

Let him go. And Id prepare my own surprise. Not with shoutingwith action.

I opened the banking app. Our joint account£24,000. Shockingly, hed already helped himself£6,000 gone. My money, mind you. My freelance earnings, late nights working. And him using my savings to whisk his first love away on holiday.

I knew about Olivia. Michael had mentioned her, Alice too. High-school sweetheart, wild and restless. Left him twiceonce for an older man, then for someone with “prospects.” Now she was back. And Michael fell for it. Lying again.

He couldve at least been honest: *”Emma, Ive fallen for someone else. Im sorry.”* It wouldve hurt, yes. But not this low. Instead, hed acted like a rat. Took the money, lied about the trip, packed his case

Fine. Id take the rest. Today. Every last penny. Thendivorce. His things? Courier to his parents.

Checked my calendartomorrow lunch, a big virtual presentation. If it goes well? Holiday. Not Italy, no. Spain, maybe. Somewhere hes never set foot.

“Emma, Im off. Decided to leave early,” he announced, walking in smartly dressed, tie knotted.

“Safe travels. Hope its a success,” I replied, gripping the mug.

“Whats with the tone?”

“Youre imagining things.”

“Ill miss you”

“Doubt youll have time for that.”

“Arent you helping with the suitcase?”

“Rather wash the dishes.”

“Fine. Im going.”

“Go on, then.”

The door slammed. Michael had no idea he was leaving for good. Tomorrow, Id change the locks.

I sat down. Burst into tears. Bitter, wrenching sobs. Hurt. Humiliated. Betrayed.

Another message from Alice:
*”Emma, are you okay?”*

Wiped my face, dialled her number.

“Alice, how did you know?”

“A friend of Olivias told me. Shes latched onto Michael again. And he fell for it. Emma, Im so sorry”

“Thanks for telling me. Didnt stop him. Let him go.”

“Hes an idiot. Shell dump him a third time.”

“His choice. Alice, dont tell him I know.”

“Wouldnt speak to him if I could. Im done with him!”

“Thank you. Lets stay close. Even after the divorce.”

“Always, Emma. Stay strong.”

Opened the app again. Another £2,000 missing. Hurry! No. Took a breath. Transferred the rest to Mum.

Sent the money, turned off the phone, watched the sunset through the window. Tomorrow, the sun would rise again. Without him.