“I’m sorry for how things turned out.”
“Michael, are you sure youve packed everything? Dont you want to double-check?” I called out, pausing outside the closed bathroom door.
“Anna, leave me alone! Ive got it allyou saw the suitcase,” he replied over the sound of the shower. But his voice… his voice wavered. Or did I imagine it?
“I saw the suitcase. What you stuffed insidenever mind,” I muttered, stepping back.
“Anna, make me some coffee, please. Strong. No milk,” he added calmly as the water shut off.
I went to the kitchen, took out the kettle without another word, poured water, added ground coffee, and a pinch of saltjust how he liked it. We had a coffee machine, but Michael adored my homemade brew. “Youre so thoughtful,” hed told me just the night before, coming home late from work and finding dinner carefully wrapped in a tea towel to keep warmjust like his grandmother used to do.
Lately, hed been coming home latersupposedly because of work. He was building his career, preparing for a promotion. And me? I stayed in the shadows. Cooking, ironing, enduring.
“Thats the divine aroma of real coffee,” Michael said, striding into the kitchen and pushing his damp hair off his forehead. He sat at the table, reaching for the cup.
“Anna, the couriers coming todayI ordered a car cover. Can you take it? Cash on delivery,” he said, stirring in a spoonful of sugar.
“Of course. Business as usual,” I replied, sitting across from him.
“This trip couldnt have come at a worse time,” he sighed. “But I cant say no. You understandits an opportunity, maybe the only one. Senior managerno joke.”
“I see… I didnt realise a role like that would mean trailing around the countryside.”
“Bosss whims. Well, Ive got half an hour leftIll work from my phone.”
He stood and walked into the other room, leaving his cup behind. No matter. What could I expect? He was under pressure.
I reached for his cup just as his phone buzzeda message. I opened it.
*”Anna, Michaels lying. Theres no business trip. Hes flying to Italy with Roxanne Morris. Stop him before its too late. Hes throwing his life away.”*
Adrienne. His younger sister.
Something snapped in my head. Him… with Roxanne? Impossible. A joke? But Adrienne wasnt the type to joke about something like this. And she certainly wouldnt lie.
The room spun. The air thickened like concrete. I could barely breathe. I stood shakily, poured myself water, and slumped back into my chair.
I wanted to scream. To smash everything. But all I could think was: *Why?*
My fists clenched in fury. I wanted to storm in, confront him, tear off the mask. But… I didnt. He wasnt worth it.
Let him go. And Id prepare a surprise of my ownnot with shouting, but with action.
I opened my banking app. Our joint account£24,000. Shockingly, hed already helped himself£6,000 was gone. My money, by the way. My project fees, nights spent working. And now he was taking his first love on holiday with my savings.
I knew about Roxanne. Michael himself had told me, and Adrienne had mentioned her once. High-school sweetheart, wild and reckless. Shed left him twiceonce for an older man, then for someone with “potential.” Now she was back. And Michael had fallen for it again. And lied.
He couldve at least been honest: *”Anna, Ive fallen for someone else. Im sorry.”* It wouldve hurt, yes. But not like thissneaky, cowardly. Taking money, lying about a trip, packing his suitcase…
Fine. Id take the rest. Today. Every last penny. Thendivorce. His thingscourier to his parents.
I checked my calendara big online presentation tomorrow. If it went well? A holiday. Not Italy. Maybe Spain. Somewhere hed never set foot.
“Anna, Im off. Decided to leave early,” he said, walking in dressed smartly, tie in place.
“Safe travels. Hope its successful,” I replied, gripping the cup.
“Whats that tone?”
“Your imagination.”
“Ill miss you…”
“Doubt youll have the time.”
“Arent you helping with the suitcase?”
“Id rather wash the dishes.”
“Fine. Im going.”
“Go on.”
The door slammed. Michael had no idea he was leaving for good. Tomorrow, Id change the locks.
I sat down and burst into tearsbitter, humiliated, betrayed.
Another message from Adrienne: *”Anna, are you okay?”*
I wiped my face and called her.
“Adrienne, how did you know?”
“A friend of Roxannes told me. Shes latched onto Michael again. And hes fallen for it. Anna, Im so sorry”
“Thank you for telling me. I didnt stop him. Let him go.”
“Hes an idiot. Shell toss him aside a third time.”
“His choice. Adrienne, dont tell him I know.”
“I dont even want to speak to him. Ive had enough!”
“Thank you. Our relationship stayseven if we divorce.”
“Of course, Anna. Stay strong.”
I opened the banking app again. Another £2,000 gone. In a hurry? No. I steadied myself. I transferred the rest to my mums account, closed my phone, and watched the sunset through the window, knowing tomorrow the sun would risewithout him.
Some lessons are learned too late, but once you see the truth, youll never unsee it.
