Determined, Evelina decided it was time to act. This evening, she wanted to have another conversation with her husband to understand how he envisioned their future together. The conversation took place, but it didn’t go in Evelina’s favor.
I’m telling you again, I don’t want a divorce, but I can’t leave Clara yet, her husband told her. What do you mean, can’t? Evelina asked, confused. She’s pregnant, he said guiltily.
This was a twist Evelina hadn’t expected, but she couldn’t tolerate her husband’s infidelity, let alone his pregnant mistress. I’m filing for divorce and that’s final. Our life together is no longer possible, she declared on the verge of tears.
Well, maybe you’re right, Evelina, her husband admitted. But keep in mind, if you file for divorce, you won’t get much from me. I don’t want a divorce, it will damage my reputation.
But Evelina was resolute. I’m filing for divorce tomorrow, she repeated. Even if you’re against it, I won’t live with you knowing you have a mistress.
Think it over, Evelina, he warned. I’ll leave you with nothing and I’ll take the kids. This threat only fueled her anger.
Just try to take my kids away, she shouted and once again in tears ran to her bedroom. True to her word, Evelina filed for divorce the very next day. Because they had children, the process would require a court’s decision and they were given a month to reconcile.
But no reconciliation happened. Graham, though still coming home to sleep, barely spoke to Evelina. One day, he came home not alone but with Clara.
Evelina, noticing her slightly rounded belly, realized the pregnancy was real. Coming down from the second floor, she found her husband and Clara sitting in her kitchen, drinking tea and chatting cheerfully. They were eating the very pancakes she had made for her children that morning.
What is this? She demanded. Have you completely lost your mind? Who is this woman? And why did you bring her into our home? Soon I’ll be living here instead of you, Clara replied lazily, taking another bite of her pancake. And who told you that? Evelina shot back.
This is the home of my husband, me and my children. Well, your husband will soon be my husband, Clara retorted, and you’ll be nobody to him. We’ll take your children too, and we’ll have a big happy family.
Evelina turned to Graham, who had stayed silent throughout the argument. Tell me this isn’t true, she pleaded. Evelina, I asked you not to file for divorce.
I begged you, he said. You didn’t listen. So now I’m divorcing you, and I’m taking the house and the kids.
What? You can’t do that, Evelina protested. The kids are attached to me. I’ve been the one raising them.
But you don’t have the money to support them properly, Graham scoffed. How much do you even make as a translator? 30,000 annually? That won’t even cover rent for a decent apartment, let alone clothes or activities for the kids. Evelina was hurt and angry.
How dare you say that? We loved each other. I loved you. I loved our children, our home, and you ruined it all.
I won’t let you take my kids, and I’ll fight for our home, she declared. She couldn’t bear to look at Clara, whose smug face and pregnant belly seemed to taunt her. Graham and Clara stayed in the kitchen for another half hour before leaving the house.
Evelina couldn’t understand why her husband had brought his mistress to their home, knowing she was there. Their daughter, noticing the tension between her parents, began asking questions. Mom, why doesn’t Dad come home sometimes? Where does he sleep? her second grade daughter asked.
Evelina struggled to find the right words to explain the situation without traumatizing her children. Sweetheart, she said gently, your dad and I are going through a tough time right now. Very soon he will be living separately from us, but you’ll still be able to see him and spend time together.
It’s just the way things are going to be for now. Her daughter, being young, didn’t fully understand and couldn’t believe that her father would soon live somewhere else. The day of the court hearing arrived.
Evelina and Graham were supposed to finalize their divorce. Graham showed up with Clara. This was not the peaceful resolution Evelina had hoped for.
She thought they would divorce amicably, with the children staying with her and Graham moving out. But he filed a counterclaim, requesting custody of the children and a division of property. They were officially divorced that day, but for Evelina, a nightmare had just begun.
Three days later, Graham returned, not alone, but with Clara. We’re here, Evelina. After all, this is my house too, isn’t it? Her ex-husband declared.
Evelina stared at him, her eyes glassy with disbelief. How could someone she once adored show such audacity? He had brought his mistress into the home where she lived with their children. Graham, are you out of your mind? She demanded.
Your children still live here. What are you going to tell them about this woman? If you don’t like it, move out, Graham replied coldly. The kids will just have to get used to it.
She’ll be living here too. Graham deliberately hugged his mistress in front of Evelina and kissed her on the forehead. Soon, there will be a court hearing where I’ll take the house and the kids away from you, he said confidently.
You won’t succeed, Graham. I’ll fight with everything I have, but I won’t let you take the children, Evelina replied firmly, realizing that continuing the conversation was pointless. She left the room while Graham and Clara occupied the guest room since Evelina was still staying in the master bedroom.
Evelina wasn’t prepared for such a turn of events. Back in her bedroom, she thought about her next steps. Staying in the same house as Graham and his mistress was impossible.
She went to her children’s rooms and told them to pack their things quickly. We’re leaving the house, she told them. Mommy, where are we going? Why do we have to leave our home? Ivy asked, overwhelmed by questions.
Ivy, I’ll explain later. Right now, we need to leave, Evelina said as she hurriedly packed the children’s clothes, important documents and her work laptop. Quietly, without Graham or Clara noticing, she led the kids to the garage, got into her car and drove off.
Mom, where are we going? Her son, Miles, asked. I don’t know yet, sweetheart, Evelina admitted, trying to keep her composure. How can you not know, Mom? Ivy asked, confused.
Evelina knew she needed to gather her thoughts and come up with a plan. Staying with her in-laws wasn’t an option. They would side with Graham and support his efforts to take the children.
Her own mother lived in a different state. She didn’t have friends she could impose upon with two kids in tow. Thankfully, Evelina had some money saved, along with funds Graham regularly deposited into her account for family expenses.
She decided to find a rental apartment. Pulling over to the side of the road, she browsed listings online. Evelina quickly found a suitable two-bedroom apartment close to Ivy’s school.
She called the landlord. Hello, good evening. I’d like to rent your apartment.
Yes, immediately, she said. Immediately? the man asked, surprised. Yes, it’s for me and my two children.
We need it urgently, she explained. All right. I’ll meet you there in 40 minutes, he replied.
Evelina drove to the address. While waiting, she and the kids looked around the area. It had all the essentials, stores, a pharmacy, and a cafe.
But the children were uneasy about moving to a strange new apartment and leaving their home behind. Ivy started asking questions again. Mom, how long are we going to live here? She asked.
I’m not sure, sweetheart. Maybe a couple of months, and if we like it, we might stay longer, Evelina replied. And who’s going to live in our house? Ivy continued.
Well, for now, Dad is staying there with someone else. That’s why we can’t go back yet, Evelina explained. Dad traded us for someone else? He left us? Ivy asked, hurt.
No, darling, your dad loves you. It’s just that sometimes, moms and dads decide to live apart. It doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you, Evelina reassured her, trying to protect her children from resentment toward their father.
Soon, the landlord arrived. He was a tall, respectable-looking man in his 40s. Hello, are you Evelina? He asked.
Yes, that’s me, she replied, holding her children’s hands. Let’s take a look at the apartment, he said, leading them inside. The apartment was bright and cozy, fresh renovations and tasteful furniture.
Evelina liked it immediately. We’ll take it, she said quickly. We’ll rent it long term.
The landlord handed her the keys and wished her all the best. If you have any questions, feel free to call me, he said before leaving. Well, kids, this will be our home for now? Pick your rooms, Evelina told them.
The children chose the larger room, leaving the smaller one for Evelina. The next morning, as usual, Evelina dropped Ivy off at school and took Miles to daycare. But her life had changed.
Everything was more stressful now. She increased her workload to save money and hired a lawyer to help her file a countersuit for property division and custody. Her best friend, Celia, helped her find a good lawyer.
Evelina called the lawyer, Roland, and arranged a meeting at a cafe with a play area since she had no one to watch the kids. They started talking. I never thought this would happen to me.
It feels like something out of a movie, Evelina said, holding back tears. Tell me more about your situation so I can understand how to help you, Roland said, taking notes in his notebook. Evelina explained everything, discovering her husband’s affair, Graham’s threats to take the kids, her decision to file for divorce, and Graham bringing his mistress to their home.
She also described her current living situation and her fears about losing her children. Roland listened attentively. Taking children away from a mother who works and takes care of them is very difficult, he reassured her.