I’m Sorry It Turned Out This Way

“I’m sorry it’s come to this.”

“Oliver, are you sure youve packed everything? Should I double-check?” I called, pausing outside the closed bathroom door.

“Emily, leave it! Ive got everythinga whole suitcase. You saw it,” he replied over the sound of the shower. But his voice it trembled. Or was I imagining it?

“I saw the suitcase. Not what you stuffed inside,” I muttered, stepping back.

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

I walked to the kitchen, silently grabbing the coffee pot, filling it with water, adding ground coffee and a pinch of saltjust how he liked it. We own a coffee machine, but Oliver adores the way I make it. *”Youre so thoughtful,”* hed said just last night, coming home late from work to find me wrapping his dinner in a tea towel to keep warmjust like my nan used to do.

Lately, hed been staying out laterwork, supposedly. Career stuff. Prepping for a promotion. And me? I stood still beside him. Cooking, ironing, enduring.

“Divine aroma of a divine drink!” Oliver said as he strode into the kitchen, pushing damp hair from his forehead. He sat at the table and reached for the mug.

“Emily, a deliverys coming todaynew seat covers for the car. Could you take them? Cash on delivery,” he said, stirring a spoon of sugar into his coffee.

“Sure. As always,” I sat across from him.

“This business trip couldnt have worse timing,” he sighed. “But I cant back out. You understandits a shot at department head. No joke.”

“Yeah, of course Didnt realize the job required travelling all over.”

“Bosss whim. Anyway, Ive got half an hour leftneed to finish some emails.”

He stood and walked into the next room, leaving his mug behind. Fine. Cant blame himhes wound tight.

I reached for his cup when my phone buzzeda message. I opened it.

*”Emily, Olivers lying. Its not a business trip. Hes flying to Italy with Sarah Carter. Stop him before its too late. Hes wrecking his life.”*

Hannah. His younger sister.

Something snapped in my head. Him with Sarah? No way. A joke? But Hannah wouldnt mess around like that. And shed never lie.

The room blurred. The air turned thick as cement. I could barely breathe. I stood shakily, poured myself waterthen slumped back into the chair.

I wanted to scream. To cry. To smash everything. But one question clawed at me: *Why?*

I clenched my fists. Wanted to storm in, cause a scene, rip the mask off his face. But I didnt. He didnt deserve the drama.

Let him go. Ill give him a surprisenot a fight, but action.

I opened the banking app. The joint account showed £38,000. Shockingly, hed already beaten me to it£10,000 gone. *My* money, by the way. My freelance work, my late nights. And him? Blowing my savings on a holiday with his old flame.

I knew about Sarah. Oliver had mentioned her, and Hannah once let it slip. School crush, a real piece of work. Dumped him twicefirst for an older guy, then for some “up-and-comer.” Now shes back. Olivers falling for it. And lying.

He couldve at least been honest: *”Emily, Im in love with someone else. Im sorry.”* It wouldve hurt, yes. But not like this. Instead, hes sneaking around like a ratwithdrawing cash, spinning tales about a business trip, packing his bags

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

I checked my calendara big virtual presentation tomorrow. If it goes well, Ill book leave. Not Italy, no. Maybe Portugal. Somewhere hes never been.

“Emily, Id better head offtraffics mad,” he said, stepping into the kitchen perfectly dressed, tie and all.

“Bye. Safe trip,” I forced out, gripping the mug.

“Whats with the tone?”

“Your imagination.”

“Ill miss you”

“Doubt youll have time for that.”

“Arent you seeing me out?”

“Id rather wash up.”

“Right, then. Off I go.”

“Take care.”

The door slammed. Oliver had no clue hed just walked out for good. Tomorrow, Im changing the locks.

I sank into a chair. Sobbedhard, angry tears. Betrayal. Humiliation.

Another message from Hannah:

*”Emily, you okay?”*

I wiped my face and called her.

“Hannah, whered you hear this?”

“Sarahs mate let it slip. Shes back in Olivers life. Hes falling for it. Emily, Im sorry its”

“Thanks for warning me. I didnt stop him. Let him go.”

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

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

“Wouldnt anyway. Sick of his nonsense!”

“Thanks. Well stay in touch. Even after the divorce.”

“Course, Emily. Stay strong.”

I reopened the banking app. Another £3,000 gone. *Move fast.* No. I steadied myself. Transfer the rest to Mum. My own mum. Hes lost all rights to it.

“Mum, Im sending you £34,000. Hes already taken his share.”

“What happened, love?”

“Were divorcing. Hes flying to Italy with his mistress.”

“Oh, sweetheart Hang in there. Weve got you. Itll pass. Youll find someone who deserves you.”

“No, Mum. Im not looking. Maybe Ill just have a baby. Alone. And thatll be that.”

“Well thats an option. Aunt Margots got that nephew, lovely lad”

“Mum, not now.”

“Alright. Just dont give up, love.”

I ended the call. Pulled myself together. Tomorrows a new day. Olivers gone, but Im still here. Whole. True. And my lifes still aheadno lies, no betrayal. Without him.