Wasn’t that enough for happiness? Only occasionally, maybe twice a year, did Emily have a troubling dream. She heard a child crying and tried to find it but couldn’t. Each time, waking in the middle of the night, Emily thought she was hearing her unborn child’s cries.
It unsettled her. But then morning came, and, immersed in daily routines, she forgot the dream. She thought it would always be like this.
A cozy home, a reliable husband, beloved work. But it turned out to be an illusion. An illusion of a happy family life.
Today, Emily learned the truth about her situation. Her husband had another woman with whom he was ready to start a family and have a child. Because, apparently, he desperately wanted children and a real family.
And he stayed with Emily out of pity, feeling guilty for what happened early in their marriage. That offensive phrase, «suitcase without a handle,» echoed in Emily’s mind, making her feel not just betrayed by the man she loved with all her heart but humiliated, crushed, worthless. How was she supposed to live with this now? Her sad thoughts were interrupted by a phone call.
«Honey, are you coming to us tomorrow?» her mom asked. «Of course, Mom,» Emily replied, knowing that no matter how awful she felt, she’d pull herself together and visit her parents because they needed her help. «Emily, I’m actually calling to say you don’t need to come.
Why? What’s wrong?» the young woman asked, alarmed. «Nothing’s wrong. Your dad’s feeling okay and even helped me around the house.
So, I thought there’s no need for you to come tomorrow. Stay home with your husband, maybe go out somewhere or just spend time together. You spend Saturdays on chores and Sundays with us.
That’s not right. James probably isn’t thrilled, even if he doesn’t say so.» «I’m really not needed tomorrow?
No, honey, take a break. You sound down. Tired or something happened?» «I’m fine, Mom.
Just a bit tired,» Emily replied. Of course, she couldn’t hide what happened from her parents forever.
After what she learned, there was no future for her and James. But she’d tell her mom another time. Not today.
Today, she didn’t want to ruin her parents’ mood. They’d had a tough time lately. And she didn’t feel like talking to anyone.
Emily felt exhausted and decided to lie down. Maybe she’d fall asleep and, for a while, forget the horrors of this day. Again, she had that troubling dream.
A child’s cries tore at her soul. In the dream, she knew it was her child, needing her help.
Emily followed the cries, but couldn’t find the child. She grew terrified.
She woke in a cold sweat. Glancing at the clock, it was two in the morning.
Dawn was far off, and sleep was gone. The painful events of Saturday flooded back. James’s infidelity, his lies, his cruel words.
Suitcase without a handle. Emily got up and went to the kitchen. Her throat was dry.
She couldn’t fall back asleep. She tossed and turned, but sleep wouldn’t come.
Emily was glad tomorrow was Sunday, and she didn’t have to go to work. She’d have time to calm down and pull herself together. Right now, she looked terrible.
Swollen eyelids and red eyes from crying. Her students and colleagues shouldn’t see her like this. No matter how bad she felt, she’d have to pull herself together and show up to work on Monday looking fresh and put-together.
But where would she find the strength when she felt so awful she didn’t want to do anything? For the first time, Emily regretted working at a school. She couldn’t take time off in the middle of the term.
Teachers were in short supply. Some colleagues were handling two classes. There was no one to replace her.
Taking leave mid-school year wasn’t an option. And her students weren’t to blame. They shouldn’t suffer because of her family troubles.
Besides, work was all she had left. Her family was gone. Divorce from James was a done deal.
Even if he begged for forgiveness and wanted to come back, she wouldn’t take him. How could you live with such betrayal? It was impossible. And James had no plans to return.
She’d understood that clearly from his phone call with his mistress, Lila. What was she like? Probably young and beautiful? James always liked striking, glamorous women. Emily was like that when they met.
Once she started teaching, she wore less makeup and dressed more conservatively. She bought modest suits and pulled her luxurious chestnut hair into a ponytail or updo. That’s how she thought a teacher should look.
Emily fell asleep at dawn and slept until nearly ten. She woke with a heavy head but noticed her heart didn’t ache as much as yesterday. It seemed she was starting to come to terms with her husband’s betrayal and the fact she’d have to live without him.
She washed her face and decided to make coffee. She needed a pick-me-up. She wasn’t hungry yet.
As she turned on the coffee maker, her phone rang. It was her mother-in-law. Emily didn’t want to talk to her but answered anyway.
«Hello, Emily,» Susan Miller said warmly. «I can’t reach James. Is he busy? Can you put him on?»
«James isn’t home,» Emily replied. So, his mom didn’t know yet. «Where is he?» Susan asked, surprised.
«It’s Sunday.» Emily didn’t know what to say to Susan. «Might as well tell the truth.
She’ll find out eventually. James didn’t spend the night here.» «What do you mean? Where is he? Emily, you’re scaring me.»
Susan, yesterday I found out James has another woman. I asked him to leave because I couldn’t stand being under the same roof. He said he’d stay at a hotel and then rent an apartment.
«James has another woman?» Susan gasped. «That can’t be.» «Why not? He’s been seeing her for almost a year.
It’s hard to believe. I didn’t expect this from my son. But maybe it’s not serious? Maybe you shouldn’t rush to judgment, Emily?
You’ve been together almost fifteen years.» Susan, I can’t live with your son after this. And he said he wants a real family, kids.
And you know why I can’t have them. I won’t hold him back or beg him to stay.
He’s already made his choice, and it’s not me.» «I see.»
«Bad news,» Susan sighed. «I’m so sorry, Emily, that this happened. I don’t want to touch a sore subject, but maybe the reason is you not having kids.»
«Probably, Susan, but I don’t want to talk about it.» «Of course, Emily, I understand. You know I care about you.
I’m disappointed in my son. I’ve been calling him all morning, and he’s unreachable.» «Maybe his phone died,» Emily suggested.
«He left his charger here.» «Probably.» «Why go to a hotel? He could’ve stayed with us.
He could live with us for now.» «Ugh, this is all so unpleasant.» «Alright, Emily, don’t let it get you down too much.
And know you can always count on me.» «Thank you, Susan.» After talking to her mother-in-law, Emily poured herself coffee and opened her laptop.
She decided to look for some engaging lesson materials and prepare for a class meeting, hoping it would distract her from her sad thoughts. She hadn’t gotten far when the front door slammed. Emily flinched, realizing it was James.
«Hey,» he said, walking into the living room where Emily sat. «Hey,» she replied, not looking up from her laptop. «Sorry for coming by.
I forgot my charger yesterday, and my phone’s dead. I also need some work documents and clothes.
I didn’t grab much yesterday in my rush. I’ll try to rent an apartment today. I know we shouldn’t be under the same roof.
Your mom called. She was looking for you. I told her everything.
Sorry, but she’d have found out anyway. Mom’s probably in shock. She’s surprised, sure, but she must be thrilled about this.
Why? What’s not to get? Your Lila will give you kids, and you’ll have a real family, unlike with me. I was so naive, thinking we’d live for each other and be happy. I should’ve known you’d eventually want kids.
Your mom must want grandkids. Of course, she’s thrilled.» Talking to her husband, Emily tried not to look at him. It was hard to see him, and she wanted him to leave quickly.
But James wasn’t in a hurry. He sat at the table across from her and said, «Emily, don’t say that.
We had a good family too. And my mom never spoke ill of you. She likes you.
She has grandkids. My brother has three kids. You know that.
The fact we don’t have kids is my fault. I’ve never denied it. And I really did fall in love with Lila.
It’s not about us not having kids. You know, I couldn’t sleep last night. I thought about us and decided I’m leaving you the apartment.
We won’t split it. I feel so guilty, and I don’t want you to think I’m a total jerk. So, the apartment and everything in it is yours.»
Really? Emily looked up at her husband. Why so generous? You bought this apartment. My salary could never afford such an expensive purchase.
It’s my decision. It’s only fair. I’ll rent an apartment for me and Lila for now, maybe take out a mortgage later.
So, don’t worry. We won’t divide the property. It’s all yours.
Should I thank you for such nobility now? Emily smirked. No, you don’t have to, James replied. I’m sorry, but I really fell in love.
I tried to fight my feelings at first, but I couldn’t. The heart wants what it wants. Alright, I’ll go pack.
When James left, Emily couldn’t focus on work anymore. She shut her laptop and decided to go for a walk. Suddenly, staying in the apartment, where everything reminded her of their shattered marriage, felt unbearable.
She couldn’t even feel glad that James was leaving her the apartment. How would she live here alone? Using all these things? Remembering how they bought them together. They loved shopping for the house together.
She worked so hard to make their apartment a cozy nest, and she succeeded. But now, it felt oppressive. The air felt heavy, the walls closing in.
Everything she loved and created with her own hands suddenly felt alien. Emily washed her face with cold water, applied light makeup to hide traces of her distress, dressed for the weather, and left the house. October was dry and warm this year, the trees still holding their colorful leaves.
The town’s flowerbeds bloomed with autumn flowers. For nearly three hours, Emily wandered the town, thinking about how to move forward. She wasn’t the first or last woman to face a husband’s betrayal.
But that didn’t make it easier. She thought about how her life could’ve been different if, fourteen years ago, she hadn’t made that terrible mistake of ending her pregnancy. Maybe she’d have had more children.
And now, after James’s betrayal and departure, she wouldn’t feel so lonely and broken. She understood well that children couldn’t keep a man from leaving. A man stays with a woman as long as he loves her, and James’s love had faded at some point.
That’s when Lila appeared in his life. Or maybe there were others? Emily wouldn’t be surprised anymore. She used to think James was faithful and reliable, but now… How strange that she didn’t notice, didn’t sense any change in his behavior.
They say the spouse is the last to know about infidelity. How much longer would she have lived in ignorance if she hadn’t forgotten her credit card, forcing her to return and overhear James’s conversation with his mistress? How much longer would he have deceived her, playing the good husband while building a relationship with Lila behind her back?
Emily was so lost in thought she didn’t notice the traffic light and started crossing the street on red. A white SUV screeched to a halt inches from her. Emily jumped back in horror as a man with an angry expression got out.
«Are you out of your mind, lady?» he nearly shouted. «Didn’t they teach you to use a crosswalk? Or are you tired of living?» «I’m so sorry,» Emily mumbled, frightened. «I was distracted and didn’t see it was red.
Sorry.» «You’re lucky traffic’s light here,» he said, calming down. «Sorry for yelling; I got scared too.
Are you okay? Did something happen? Do you need help?» «I’m fine, sorry. I just got lost in thought. Thank you.
I’ll be more careful,» Emily replied. «Please do. You put yourself and drivers at risk.
If I’d been going faster, it could’ve been bad.» «Yes, you’re right. Sorry again.»
Emily felt terribly guilty and couldn’t understand how this happened. She’d taught her students about road safety countless times, and now she’d done something so foolish, crossing on red.
How embarrassing. «You sure you’re okay?» the man asked again. «Sorry, but you look lost, and your eyes…
It looks like you’ve been crying.» «I’m fine,» Emily said. She wasn’t about to tell a stranger her husband betrayed her, and she felt awful.
«Maybe I can drive you home? I’m worried about you,» he insisted. «No, thank you. I’ll be okay,» Emily said firmly.
«I’m going now. Sorry again. Goodbye.»
«Goodbye,» the man replied, calling after her, «Take care.» Emily turned and smiled at him.
«Strange woman,» he shrugged, getting back in his car. Emily walked down the street, trembling slightly. She realized she’d narrowly escaped death under the wheels of a car.