Mate, I’ve never truly loved my wife, even though I’ve told her that a hundred times. It’s not her fault at all our life together was just fine. She never argued with me, never nagged, always gentle and kind. But the one thing missing between us was love. It was all just groceries, cutlery and conversations at the dinner table, you know?
Every night I’d go to bed and wake up thinking that one day I needed to leave her. I longed to find a woman I could actually fall in love with.
But would I even manage it? I felt so at ease around Emily. Besides being brilliant at managing the house, my wife is absolutely beautiful. Honestly, all my mates still envy me and can’t work out how I managed to land such a catch. Truth be told, I dont even know what made her fall for someone as ordinary as me.
Really, Im just your average bloke, no different from a hundred other men. But she loves me It’s a mystery.
Her love and loyalty got under my skin. And her beauty mate, it rattles me. I understood perfectly well that the moment I stepped out that door, breaking off with her properly, thered be someone else lining up for her affections. Some chap richer, better looking, and far more successful.
The thought of someone else putting their arms around her Well, it nearly drove me mad. Even though I didnt really have any feelings for Emily. I never did, honestly. I married her purely because I liked the idea of having such a lovely woman by my side.
But you can’t go through life with someone you don’t love, can you? I thought I could make it work, but I was dead wrong.
That night, while fiddling about in the kitchen, I promised myself, Tomorrow, I need to tell her everything. And finally, I fell asleep.
Come morning, over breakfast, I finally plucked up the courage to have a proper talk.
Emily, love, could you sit down a sec? Theres something I need to tell you.
Im listening, darling, she replied.
Picture this: you and I split up, go our separate ways in London, I said awkwardly.
She chuckled, Thats a bit odd Is this one of your new games?
Just hear me out, its important, I insisted.
Alright, Im listening. Ill imagine it, she sighed, humoring me.
Tell me honestly, after I leave, do you reckon youd find someone new? I asked.
James, what on earths got into you? Why would you leave?
Because I dont love you, Emily. I never have.
What? Come on, this cant be real I just dont get it.
I want to leave, but the thought of stepping out and you ending up with someone else it hurts me.
Emily went quiet for a bit, lost in her own thoughts, and then said:
I really doubt Id ever find someone better than you, so you can go. You dont have to worry about me being with anyone else.
Promise?
Of course, she replied, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.
Wait, but where am I supposed to go? I asked, suddenly feeling lost.
Havent you got anywhere to go? she teased.
No, weve been together so long… Looks like were stuck together till the bitter end, I admitted, feeling a wave of sadness.
Dont worry about it, she said gently. When we split, we can sell the flat and get ourselves two one-bed places.
Really? Thats I wasnt expecting you to help me like this. Why are you being so kind?
Because I love you, James. And when you really love someone, you cant force them to stay.
A couple of months later, the divorce went through. Not long after, I heard Emily broke her promise shed found herself another bloke. And as for splitting the flat turns out, she never intended to; it was her inheritance from her gran and she kept it.
So there I was: empty-handed and completely alone, left wondering How on earth do you trust women after that?
What do you reckon about James?
This storys based on a true tale shared by one of our readers. Any similarities to real names or places are just coincidence. All pictures used are for illustration purposes only.
