28April2025 Diary
Ive finally gathered my things and set off, my wife, Laura, typed in a final note before she left.
Your affairs dont matter to me, Victor. Everythings clear enough. Pack your £ and get out in any direction you likewhether you head back to your ex or stay with the new one.
What do you mean get out? And what about Charlie?
You just remembered Charlie? Of course You should have thought about him earlier, when you were dashing around instead of helping with the kid and working. Not now, when youre suddenly recalling Charlie.
The front door opened and Lauras brother, Mark, stepped in, Hey, Lark, why the long face?
Simon had arrived on his break from a twoweek holiday two days ago, and the wails echoing from the depths of the flat told me hed already stirred up a proper ruckus.
Hi Aunt Laura! shouted his daughter, Olivia, darting into the hallway to see who was there.
The crying continued.
Whos that shouting? Laura asked.
Just Peter and Michael fighting over toys, like little tots, the fiveyearold Olivia sighed, folding her arms. Did you bring any treats?
I did, but Grandma will hand them over later. First soup, then sweetsremember the rule?
Got it, got it, youll forget everything with you lot, Olivia replied, sighing again before retreating to her room.
The shrieks finally faded, meaning the twins had settled on what to play with without crushing each other.
So, whats really going on? I asked, having watched the exchange in silence.
Laura dropped her handbag on the table, slipped off her shoes and sighed. I think Victors cheating on me. He says Im paranoid and need treatment, but
Come into the kitchen and tell me everything, I prompted.
She nodded, stripped down to her pyjamas and padded into the small kitchen where I turned on the kettle. Laura sat, hands clasped, and began.
There wasnt much to tell, really. She and Victor had met five years ago. In his previous marriage he never had children, and after they split he and his ex, Valerie, stayed friends.
That friendship, however, kept tightening the knot for Laura.
Hes texting her at night, nonstop. Im lying in bed, the babys sleeping in the next room, and hes chatting away.
She recalled countless times when hed abandoned her to rush over and say hello to Valerie. Lately hes staying late at work, complaining about reports, while shes left to juggle the toddler alone.
I keep saying I need an extra pair of hands, but he just looks down and mutters about his spreadsheets, she continued. And now hes started to blame me for being tired, even though the child spends the whole day at nursery while Im stuck at home.
Hold onhow can you be at home when youre also working remotely? I asked.
Exactly. Remote work here is treated like youre doing nothing, just sitting at home and getting paid.
She sighed again. Ive even thought about snooping on his phone to see what hes really saying to his ex or anyone else.
That sounds… a bit extreme, Laura shivered. What if Im just making it all up? How would that look?
Just then, a voice from behind said, You know what an extexts look like when theres nothing left between you? It was Julia, Victors sister, who had been listening to most of Lauras complaints. She placed a phone on the table, screen glowing with an open chat.
Whats this? Laura asked.
Its a conversation with Olivias dad, Victors brother, Vlad. Read it.
Laura skimmed. Theres hardly anythingthree messages in a month about when hell pick up Olivia, what hell buy her, and when hell bring her home.
Julia huffed, Theres also a Mothers Day card and my birthday greeting in there. We didnt end on bad terms with Vlad. We share a daughter and hes involved, not just paying child support.
She added, If Id been texting Vlad at night instead of you, Id already have divorce papers.
And if I actually spy on Victor? Laura asked, eyes wide. What if theres nothing? What will I look like then?
And what if it wrecks our marriage?
I rubbed my temple. Shes starting again.
Julia thought a moment, then suggested, Your husband keeps saying hes stuck at work. Why not talk to his boss? Find out how long this will last.
Not a confrontation, more like a pity appealI barely see my husband because hes always working overtime, Ive got to take Charlie to the dentist, I cant get a dentist appointment because he disappears after work
She continued, If his job really is that demanding, maybe hell agree to leave a bit earlier. If not, then were looking at a different story.
Laura liked the idea, especially since she knew Victors manager, Mr. Whitaker, by sight around town. Approaching him turned out to be easy enough. He even asked how she was doing, giving her a chance to steer the conversation.
Im just trying to survive, Mr. Whitaker. Victors working till late, and Im left holding the fort at home, caring for the kids and trying to keep the house together.
He looked puzzled. Whos keeping him till late?
Laura replied, Victors actually asking for early leave now, saying he needs to help his wife, pick up the child from nursery, and even cover a few sick days.
I wasnt sure whether to laugh or cry. Hes lying to my face? Call him, if you can.
Laura called Victor with her usual tone. What time are you getting home tonight?
Maybe I can leave work early, take Charlie to the park, while you tidy up, she suggested.
Victor barked back, Im swamped with a big project. Sevas given me an endless workload, Im exhausted.
He warned me about losing my job if I kept demanding special treatment.
Did I threaten you with dismissal? he snapped. Your problems dont matter to me. Ill sort it out tomorrow
Laura promised, Ill see what I can do.
The call ended. Victor didnt return that night, only showing up the next morning.
Listen, he began, theres something I need to explain
Laura cut in, Im not interested in your explanations, Victor. Its obvious now. Pack your £ and leave in any directionwhether to your ex or wherever you want.
What about Charlie? he asked.
You just remembered him? You should have thought about him when you were running around instead of helping with the baby.
He tried to protest, But I
Laura finished, Ive packed my things and left on good terms, but
After lunch, her motherinlaw called, not to reconcile but to share news of a pregnancyValerie, the woman Victor had once split with as friends, was expecting.
Im glad it worked out. I always liked Val, and you with your undisciplined son Laura stopped listening, slammed the phone, and hung up.
Suddenly she didnt care about Victor, his exturnedfuture wife, or any of their drama. Only she and her son mattered; everyone else became a page to be turned and forgotten, as if theyd never existed.
Those pages, however, refused to turn, resurfacing three years later when Charlie started school.
Tonight, as I sit here writing, I realise that trying to control anothers actions only drags you deeper into a mire of suspicion and resentment. The lesson Ive learned is simple: trust is the foundation of any partnership, and without it youll spend your days chasing shadows, never finding peace.
