Running late for work? Lately, the workload has increased, so delays have become more frequent.

Late from work again? Lately, his workload had piled up, so hed been coming home late most nights. Emily tucked the kids into bed and headed to the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea. James still wasnt back. Hed been swamped at work recently, often staying late.

Emily felt sorry for her husband and tried to shield him from household stressesafter all, he was the sole breadwinner. Theyd agreed after marrying: shed take care of the home and their future children, while James ensured they lived comfortably. One after another, three kids came along. The arrival of each filled him with joy, and he always said he didnt want to stop there.

But Emily was exhaustedendless nappies, baby food, sleepless nights. She decided it was time to take a break from having children.

James finally walked in past midnight, slightly tipsy. When she asked why he was so late, he shrugged. “Em, weve all been working hard. Needed to unwind a bit.”

“My poor love,” Emily smiled. “Let me fix you something to eat.”

“Dont bother. We grabbed some burgersruined my appetite. Just gonna crash.”

With Mothers Day approaching, Emily asked her mum to babysit so she could pop to the shopping centre. She wanted to make the day specialjust the two of them, a romantic dinner. Her mum happily took the kids.

Beyond groceries and gifts, Emily decided to treat herself to something new. Itd been ages since shed bought anything for herselfshe felt too guilty taking money from James for clothes, and there was never time to go shopping anyway. Her last purchase had been a tracksuit, hardly fitting for a special evening. She wandered into a clothing shop, picked out a few dresses, and started trying them on.

As she slipped into the second dress, she heard a familiar voice from the next changing room: “Mmm, cant wait to get you out of that.”

A womans playful laugh followed.

“Patience, you cheeky thing! Go pick something out for your wife instead.”

“Why bother? Shes buried in nappies and school runs. The kids dont care what she wearsjust feed them, change them, tidy their toys! Ill get her a blender or a bread maker. Shell be thrilled!”

Emily froze, as if doused in ice water. Trying to stay quiet, she mechanically kept trying on dresses while listening to the voices next door.

“If she asks where you spent so much money,” the woman giggled, “a blender and bread maker dont cost *that* much.”

“Why should I justify how I spend *my* money? *I* work. She sits at home wanting for nothing! I give her a set amount for the house, and thats it. She should be grateful.”

The voices faded as they left the changing room. Peeking out cautiously, Emily saw her beloved husband at the till with a blonde, kissing her right on the lips as he paid.

“Everything alright in there?” The shop assistants voice snapped her back.

“Yes, yes, fine!” She pulled back the curtain and handed over the dresses. “Ill take all of them.”

At home, after her mum left and the kids were down for their nap, Emily sat thinking. What now? Shed never expected this kind of betrayalnot just the cheating, but the way he spoke about her, belittling everything she did for their family.

Part of her wanted to scream for a divorce, but she forced herself to stop and think.

*”Fine, Ill divorce him. Hell run off with that woman, and Ill be left alone with the kids and no income. Child support? Probably pennies. How will we live?”*

By evening, shed made up her mind. James didnt come home late that nighthed clearly gotten his fill of affection elsewhere. Emily felt nothing for him now. He was a stranger. The only thing that unsettled her was the thought of him expecting intimacy. *Ugh.*

But James, satisfied by his mistress, didnt bother her.

The next day, Emily updated her CV and sent it to agencies and companies. Now, she checked her emails first thing every morning. Finally, the reply camean interview at one of the citys firms. The very one where James worked. She debated going but decided it was worth it.

With her mum watching the kids, Emily headed to the interview. After two hours with the managers, she was offered a good position with flexible hours. The starting salary wasnt huge, but enough to support herself and the children.

She floated home on cloud nine. Her mum, seeing her so happy, bombarded her with questions.

“Mum, James is cheating on me!” Emily blurted out, grinning. Her mother, convinced shed lost her mind, pulled her onto the sofa.

“Emily, what are you saying? James wouldnt do that! Hes at work all day!”

“No, hes off with some woman!” She spilled everything shed overheard. Her mum listened, then asked, “So what are you going to do?”

“Divorce him! And guess whatIve got a flexible job now. Im applying for nursery places, and once all three are in, Im going full-time!”

“Well, I wont stop you. Cheatings unforgivable. And the way he spoke about you? Disgusting. Ill help with the kids.”

“Thanks, Mum.” Emily hugged her tightly.

A few days later, James stumbled in late again. Emily ignored him. Surprised by her indifference, he tried to explain: “Em, we had another late one” but she cut him off, telling him to just go to bed.

The next morning, as she fed the kids breakfast, James proudly presented her with a gifta bread maker.

“Here, love, to make life easier!” He leaned in for a kiss, but Emily recoiled, not even looking at the gift as she stood up.

“Ive got a present for you too.”

Confused, James followed her to the hallway, where two large suitcases waited.

“Im divorcing you. No more sneaking around.”

“How did you?”

“The changing room. When you were picking gifts for your blonde. Oh, and keep the bread makershe might want it.”

Cornered and defensive, James lashed out: “What, jealous Ive got someone else? Someone beautiful, passionate, who actually takes care of herself? Youve let yourself go! Buried in kids, living off *my* money! And you dare question how I spend *my* earnings? Youre just a greedy, petty woman!”

“Im not jealous,” Emily said calmly. “Get out.”

The next day, she filed for divorce and child support. A week later, a knock came at the door. Her mother-in-law stood there, glaring.

“Money-grubbing leech! Kicking him out, then milking him for cash? Drop the child supporthe doesnt owe you a thing!”

“Hes paying for *his* childrenthe ones *he* wanted!” Emily shot back. “If hes short for his mistress, thats *his* problem. Hes their father just as much as Im their mother!”

“Whatll you do without his money? Popped out kids thinking youd ride his back forever? Well, it wont work! Hell get his salary slashed officially, and youll get peanuts! Youll rot!”

“Not happening,” Emily said, pointing to the door. “Leave, or Im calling the police.”

Cursing, the woman stormed off.

Months passed, nursery spots opened up one by one. Once the youngest started, Emily went full-time at work.

“Hi.” A familiar voice at her desk made her glance up. James stood there, tired and worn. Word had reached herthe blonde dumped him the moment she learned half his wages went to child support. But Emily didnt care anymore.

“Sorry, James. Im busy,” she said, not looking up.

“Maybe lunch, then?” he pressed.

She finally met his eyes. “No. Were done talking. Were done *everything*.”