He Just Wouldn’t Let His Ex-Girlfriend Go

**Diary Entry**

*12th October 2023*

Youre going to see her again?

Emily fixed her husband with a cold stare. Daniel barely glanced up as he tied his shoelaces.

To see the kids, Em. The kids, not her, he muttered under his breath. How many times are we going to have this conversation?

Emily pressed her lips into a thin line. So many words stuck in her throat, sharp and suffocating, but none made it out.

You were fine with it before the wedding, Daniel continued, shrugging on his coat. You knew I had kids. I told you everything from the start. You *said* you understood. So whats changed? The interrogations? The tantrums?

Emily clenched her jaw so hard it ached. Without waiting for a reply, Daniel grabbed his keys and left. The lock clicked, and she was alone.

For a long moment, she couldnt move. Her legs felt like lead. She collapsed onto the sofa in the sitting room and flicked on some mindless tellyjust background noise, anything to drown out the thoughts.

Three years together. Two of them married. And yes, shed known from the beginning. The divorce. The two kidsa boy and a girl. Daniel had told her on their third date. Back then, Emily had smiled and said it didnt matter, that she understood, that kids werent a problem.

Now those words felt naïve. Stupid.

She pressed the heel of her palm against her eyes and took a slow breath. The tears were close, the weight on her chest unbearable.

It had become impossible to ignore. Twice a week, without failTuesdays and SaturdaysDaniel left for his ex-wifes house. *To see the kids*, he said. But he stayed for dinner. Lingered with *her*. With *Sophie*.

Emily told herself it was ridiculous. She trusted himor at least, she *tried* to. But deep down, something twisted inside her, a sickening dread she couldnt shake.

Alone in the flat, she tortured herself. Why couldnt she stand her ground? Why did she let his excuses wear her down? Why stay silent when she should have screamed?

She snatched up her phone and texted her best mate, Lucy:

*Hes at hers again.*

The phone buzzed immediately. Lucy.

Hey, Emily answered, fighting to keep her voice steady.

Em, what the hell are you doing? No pleasantries, just blunt honesty. How much longer are you putting up with this? Hes cheating. Its obvious.

No, Luce, you dont get it

I *do* get it, Lucy cut in. Twice a week, hes over at his exs, stays till god knows when. And youre telling me theyre just building Lego with the kids?

Emily dragged a hand down her face. She knew Lucy was right. But saying it out loud meant admitting her marriage was a farce.

He swears theres nothing between them, Emily murmured. That its only for the kids.

Christ, youre *so* naive, Lucy sighed. Em, open your eyes. Normal blokes dont spend half the night at their exs. Normal blokes pick the kids up, take them out, then drop them back. But *yours* sits at her kitchen table, eats her bloody roast, andbet my life on itholds her hand when the kids arent looking.

Luce, stop

Fine. But remember this: youll regret it. And when it happens, dont say I didnt warn you.

The call ended. Emily stared at the ceiling, the canned laughter from the telly grating against her nerves.

Daniel came home just before midnight. She listened as he shuffled in, as he brushed his teeth, as he slipped into bed beside her. The sickly-sweet scent of another womans perfume clung to him.

She didnt ask why he was late. Didnt have the energy. But Daniel spoke first, shifting under the covers.

Sorry it took so long. Lily needed help with her school project, he mumbled, already half-asleep. Made a bloody hedgehog out of pinecones. Looked ridiculous.

Emily nodded in the dark, though he couldnt see.

And so it went. Tuesday. Saturday. Leaving. Returning. The smell of her perfume. The excuses.

Then Daniel changed. Grew sullen. Distant. Spent whole nights scowling at his phone. Emily pressed himwhat was wrong?but he only brushed her off, grumbling before storming off to another room.

Two weeks later, he dropped the news.

Listen, were doing a double date Friday.

Emily turned, brow arched. With who?

Sophie and her new bloke.

A weight lifted. So Sophie had someone? That meant Daniel *hadnt* been with her? Hadnt cheated? All her fears had been for nothing?

A smile flickered across Emilys face. She threw her arms around his neck. Of course. Well go.

Friday came fast. She even bought a new dresspale blue, fitted. She wanted to look good. Wanted to show Sophie she was the right choice.

They met at a cosy café across town, all wooden tables and soft lighting. Sophie was already there with a tall, athletic manfortyish, pleasant smile.

Hi, Sophie stood, gesturing. This is James.

She looked flawless. Slim, polished, effortlessly pretty.

James shook Daniels hand. They sat.

Emily relaxed. Tonight would be fine. Civil.

She was wrong.

The entire evening, Daniel acted like he was competing for Sophies attention. He cut James off. Bragged about knowing Sophie better.

James suggested ordering a spicy pizza. Daniel jumped in.

Sophie hates spicy food.

I know, James said calmly. Weve discussed it. The pepperonis for us. Sophies getting something else.

But Daniel wouldnt let up.

Remember that holiday in Cornwall, Soph? he pressed on, ignoring James. When Ethan dragged that jellyfish ashore? Thought it was a toy.

Sophie nodded, but irritation flickered in her eyes.

Daniel, that was years ago.

Still, he kept going. Story after storyabout the kids, their shared past, picking out prams, sleepless nights with colic.

Emily sat silent, gripping her water glass. Every word was a knife twist. Even Sophie looked uncomfortable, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere. But Daniel was relentless.

And then it hit her.

Daniel hadnt let go. Not really. He was clingingto Sophie, to their past, to *her*.

Emily was the outsider. The placeholder.

When her phone buzzeda bloody automated banking alertshe seized the excuse. Pretended it was urgent.

Sorry, Ive got to go.

No one stopped her. Daniel didnt even turn.

Back at the flat, she yanked out a suitcase and started packing.

Daniel returned an hour later, scowling. He froze at the sight of her, the suitcase at her feet.

Whats going on?

She looked up, dry-eyed. The tears had dried up somewhere between jumpers and jeans.

Im leaving.

What? *Why?*

Does it matter? She pulled on her coat. Tonight showed me the truth. Youre still in love with her. Or just cant let go. I dont know which is worse.

Em, thats not

She held up a hand. Dont lie. I *saw* you. You spent the whole night marking your territory. And I was just there. An afterthought.

Daniel said nothing.

I wont be second best, she said, lifting the suitcase. Im done.

Emily, wait

No. She shook her head. I love you. But thatll fade. At least Ill keep my self-respect.

She walked out. Daniel didnt stop her. Didnt beg. Didnt explain.

In the taxi to her parents, she stared at the passing city lights.

For the first time in years, she was free.

**Lesson learned:** Love shouldnt mean settling for scraps. Walk away before you forget your worth.