FORGET ABOUT ME FOREVER
Forget you ever had a daughter, she snapped, cutting me off, my daughter Emily. Everything was moving at a breakneck pace. I felt sorry for both my kid and my exhusband. People thought we were a proper, respectable family full of love, understanding and support. Then it all collapsed in an instant.
Emily had just turned fifteen, that awkward teenage phase. Then Dad left for another woman! How was I supposed to make sense of that, to accept it? Emily started sliding down a dark slope sketchy friends, dodgy boys, drinking I was lost too. What do I do with the husband whos come back? Throw him out or forgive him? If I forgive him, how do I keep on living, doubting everything? No answers.
My Mark knew how to love. Wed known each other since school. He was a charmofficer, could surprise and sweep me off my feet. I fell headoverheels. I didnt even consider anyone else Mark, and only Mark. My Mum and Dad gave their blessing, saying you couldnt ask for a better soninlaw. We threw ourselves a lavish wedding, the kind you remember for the rest of your life.
Then the everyday started. Mark always tried to make it special. One evening I came home from work and found our bed strewn with rose petals. I laughed and kissed his cheek. Whats the occasion? I asked. Remember, Emily? The day I sat at your desk and we got to know each other better, he chuckled. I rolled my eyes, but inside I was thrilled he never forgetted the little moments. Thats my golden husband.
When Mark returned from a business trip, he lugged back a mountain of face creams. Emily, Ive been briefed on every jar and scrub tube. Toss the pans and pots, I need a pampered wife, not a kitchen maid, he said, pulling me onto the sofa beside him. Time went on and Mark stayed gentle, caring, thoughtful. I was proud of him; Emily adored him too.
We ran a family business together. Things were going well, we didnt skimp on anything just lived and enjoyed life. Then we decided to move to London, chasing bigger, more lucrative opportunities. We left everything behind and set off for new horizons. Business grew, we met a savvy entrepreneur named Laura who ran her own firm. We partnered up, but looking back I wish Id never turned my head that way.
Everything seemed perfect, so Mark and I talked about expanding our family a second child. Foolish, maybe. One day Emily came home from school, eyes wide, and asked, Mum, is Dad really on a work trip? Of course, I replied, what else could it be? Vicky said she saw him in the supermarket. She might be wrong, Emily murmured before retreating to her room.
Vicky was Emilys best friend, a regular visitor at our house, so I called her. Hey Vicky, did you run into Uncle Mark at the supermarket today? I cant get hold of him. She giggled, Yes, Aunt Megan, I saw him with some girl. They were hugging and laughing. Meanwhile, Mark had been away for five days.
I decided to wait for the story to unfold. Three days later Mark came home, tired but cheerful. How was the trip? I asked, trying to keep it light. Fine, he replied shortly. I know whats going on, Mark! There was no trip! Youre lying! I shouted. What makes you think that, Megan? he protested. I have witnesses to your outright lie, I said. Megan, just feed your husband a snack and stop being angry, he tried to joke it away.
I wish it were a joke, a mistake, nonsense. But the truth was staring me in the face. Id missed the signs, let my beloved husband slip away. A cold silence settled between us, tension thickening. Emily sensed the family strain; kids always pick up on shifts between their parents.
I didnt want to interrogate Mark, dig through his dirty laundry. Let things be. He wouldnt leave, knowing I was pregnant. Then disaster struck. An ambulance rushed me to the hospital, and I delivered a miscarriage. The doctor blamed the stress. I felt like a frayed electric wire.
Marks hands loosened. He soon left for Lauras company, a quick departure. Emily and I were left alone, mourning, the ground slipping from under us. Life seemed unbearable. If it hadnt been for Emily, I would have given up. She clung to me, we grew incredibly close during those dark months. Eventually, Emily fell silent, focusing on keeping her mother alive.
Two years later my exhusband David showed up. I couldnt look at him; he repulsed me after all the pain hed caused. I let him back into the house, wondering what hed say, what hed bring. By then only Emily was holding the family together. Everything drifted away like water through sand.
How are you getting on, Megan? David asked, oddly. And whats it to you now? Why suddenly care? I snapped back. Is Emily home? He seemed to want a foothold through the daughter. Emily reluctantly stepped out of her room, crossed her arms, and glared at him. Emily, dear, forgive me, please! David pleaded. Forget you ever had a daughter! Emily shouted back, retreating to her room. I teased him, Want me to repeat that? He walked away.
Friends later told me that Laura had taken over Marks share of the business, leaving him with nothing. Thats why he kept popping by, hoping for forgiveness. Three years passed. Emily went to university, I landed a senior role at a large firm. We lived quietly, no drama, just calm seas.
I started dreaming again hoping to see Emily married to a good bloke, looking forward to retirement, maybe getting a cat or a puppy to care for. What more did I need for happiness? I was thirtyseven then. Fate, however, had a twist.
Delegations from Italy often visited my company. One of the Italian gentlemen, Fabio, showered me with attention compliments, little gifts, even a sprig of fresh basil. I found his charm disarming, his looks striking, his manners impeccable. We married not long after.
Fabio won over my parents, Helen and John. At first they were shocked by a foreign soninlaw, but Fabios Italian cooking and witty jokes softened them, and they gave their blessing. Emilys approval mattered most to me, because I was moving to Italy with Fabio. Seeing my daughter smile and nod, I felt the future brightening.
Mom and Fabio, may you be happy forever! Emily said at our wedding.
Later, Emily forgave her wayward father and even invited him to her own wedding. The whole story, messy as it was, finally found a quiet ending.
