Mum, you dont get it! Theres nothing left between them, she got pregnant on purpose just to keep him under her heel, Emily spat, breathless with outrage. She wont let him go!
Helen rolled her eyes and sighed. Shed always thought she had a good daughter: beautiful, intelligent, universityeducated. Yet she seemed blind, unable to see the obvious.
Emily, can you even hear yourself? How could anyone get pregnant on purpose with a man when theres nothing between them? Was he unconscious? Either a miracle immaculate conception, or someones pulling your leg. Which is more likely? Helen asked, her tone sharp.
Emily snorted, as if Helen were babbling nonsense.
Oh, Mum, maybe she slipped him a drink. Or maybe she snuck off with someone else. Who knows what tricks we girls have up our sleeves? Emily retorted, rolling her eyes.
Helen raised an eyebrow, slowblinking. Tricks You cant fool nature. She might as well try to explain it to her.
Emily, dear, open your eyes. They arent staying together because hes some noble father. They arent staying together because he never intended to leave. Hes perfectly happy with everything as it is. Helen said calmly.
Thats not true! Emily flared. You just dont understand! I know him better. Hes a good man, just circumstances
Helens patience cracked. Emily was defending James, while he had simply used her. Helen had seen this before, always held back, but today her limit was spent. Three years of lies, three years of living between two families, three years of hurt and tearsher cup had finally overflowed.
You know what Helen cut her off. I have no strength left. Im sick of watching you waste your life on that scoundrel. Ill find your scheming Anna and write to her. Ill tell her that she and her husband, according to his version, are on the brink of divorce. Lets see what she says. I bet she doesnt even know her husband is almost free! Helen declared.
Mum! Emily sprang up. Dont! This is our business! Ill never forgive you for this! she shouted, eyes flashing.
Helen felt a cold splash of sobriety. No, she couldnt be like that It was cruel, and it put her at risk of losing her daughter. She needed another approach.
Then investigate him yourself, Helen suggested. If he truly loves his children, if hes as honest as he claims, tell him youre pregnant with his child. Lets see how this noble knight behaves.
Emily froze, then grimaced with disgust.
Ugh! Manipulating like that is low! she muttered.
Low to feed a girl fairy tales and waste her best years while you reap the benefits. Thats a test of cowardice, Helen snapped. Emilys fingers trembled as she grabbed her bag.
Thats it, Im done talking about this. I confided in you, I wanted support, and you Remember: if you try to confront his wife, I I will never speak to you again, Emily warned, eyes narrowing.
Helen was left alone in the kitchen, breathing heavily. Her daughter had wanted support what kind? Should a mother pat her head, soothe her, say everythings fine? Perhaps at the start she would have, but not now.
Three years earlier theyd lived together, even though Emily already owned a flat in Manchester. Both thought it convenient: Emily sublet her place, and Helen simply enjoyed having her daughter around.
Then Emily began to change. She smiled for no reason, overhauled her wardrobe, spent hours preening before walks. Helen asked no questions, just watched quietly, convinced that Emilys love life was finally taking shape.
Mum, I think Ill move back into my own flat, Emily announced one afternoon. I have a man.
But as Christmas approached, all the fragile hopes Helen had built collapsed.
Emily, at least introduce him. You both seem serious. Maybe bring him over for Christmas at my place? Well sit together, celebrate, Helen urged.
Emily hesitated at first, insisting they wanted privacy. Then she revealed that James didnt have a fixed work schedule and might be on shift the night of 31 December.
Emily, stop dodging. I see the way your eyes dart. You just dont want me to meet him? Helen asked bluntly.
He cant, Mum, hes married, Emily said, noticing Helens eyebrows rise, then hurriedly added, But theres nothing between him and his wife except the kids. He lives with her for the children, and hell be at New Years with them.
Helen felt an icy chill inside and sat down to keep from falling. Despite the whirl of emotions, she tried to steady herself.
Emily why a married man? she asked.
He promised to divorce. Just not now. The timings off, Emily replied.
When? A promise isnt a wedding, Emily Helen pressed.
His mother just had a stroke. He cant upset her. Once she recovers a bit, then the divorce, Emily explained.
Helen tried to argue, offering examples from real life, but Emily was already living in a reality built from Jamess words.
James kept finding new excuses: Emilys depression, my wife got laid off, each excuse made Helens heart bleed anew. It was clear Emily suffered, perhaps even sensed the truth, but refused to admit it.
The first time she came to Helen in tears was after International Womens Day. James had asked her to make a set of handmade soaps for his childrena simple hobby for Emily, nothing suspicious. When Jamess wife posted photos of the soaps, a bouquet, and other gifts, Emily sobbed:
I poured my heart into it, thought the kids would love it, and he she choked. I cant do this anymore; Ill send him away tomorrow.
The next day Emilys tone shifted.
Mum she said apologetically. He couldnt have given soaps just for the kids. Everyone will use them.
The pattern repeated. James would go on holiday with his wife, give her a New Years ring, while Emily received only a lamp. Shed weep on Helens shoulder, only to find a new excuse the following day.
The latest offence was Jamess wifes pregnancy. Emily clung to the belief that James was innocent, that only Anna was to blame.
Helen watched in pain as her daughter slowly gave away her bestyouth, faith, loveto fuel anothers family fire. She considered writing to Anna, but could not be that cruel. She could only wait, hoping time would sort things out.
A month after their clash dragged on endlessly. Each day began and ended with a heavy sense of anticipation. Helen checked her phone ten times an hour, hoping for a call or a message. The silence was deafening.
One sleepless night, exhausted, Helen finally slipped into a troubled sleep. The phone rang, jolting her awake.
Mum Emily sobbed before Helen could even speak.
Darling! What happened? Where are you? Helen asked, grabbing a coat.
What followed was a frantic stream of consciousness. Emily had taken Helens advice and decided to test James, hoping to prove to both that everything was fine. She wanted to see if James, the noble knight, would step up.
Jamess reaction was not what Emily expected.
Emily, youre clever, but this is badly timed. I have work problems and more, he said. We need to sort this quietly. Ill help financially if needed.
But this is our child what about Anna? Emily pleaded.
Emily, dont complicate things. Im busy, I have to go. Think about it, James cut her off. From then on he stopped answering.
Emilys nightmare began. She called and texted every hour; he read them but never repliedEmily stared out over the restless sea, felt the weight of the false promises lift with the tide, and turned away, ready to rebuild her life on her own terms.
