**Diary Entry A New Beginning**
*”What are we doing here? Why are we breaking into someone elses house?”*
*”Thats it, Emily. Were done. I want a proper familychildren. You cant give me that. Ive waited long enough, been patient. I need a son. Ive already filed for divorce. Youve got three days to pack. Call me when youre leaving. Ill be staying at Mums for now. Hurry upI need to prepare the flat for the baby and its mother. Yes, dont look so shocked. My future wife is already expecting!”*
Emily said nothing. What could she say?
Children hadnt been possible for her. Oliver had waited five years. Three failed attempts in that time.
Doctor after doctor told her she was healthy. So why did it never work? Shed always lived carefully, done everything right.
This time, shed collapsed at work. An ambulance was called, but it all happened too fast
The door slammed behind Oliver, and Emily sank onto the sofa, drained. She had no energy to pack. Where would she even go?
Before marriage, shed lived with her aunt. Her aunt was gone now, and the flat had been sold by her cousin. Go back to Grandmas cottage in the village? Find a rented place? What about her job?
Too many questions, and she needed answers quickly
Early the next morning, the door opened. Her mother-in-law walked in.
*”Not asleep? Good. Im here to make sure you dont take anything that isnt yours.”*
*”Your sons old boxers arent exactly on my list. Should I count my underwear too?”*
*”Listen to yousuch a mouth on you now! You used to be so sweet, so quiet. I warned Ollie after the first timetold him youd never give him a child.”*
*”Did you come just to say that? Better to keep quiet and watch, then.”*
*”Why are you taking the china?!”*
*”Its mine. My aunt left it to meonly thing Ive got to remember her by.”*
*”And now the place will feel empty without it!”*
*”Not my concern. At least youll have a grandson.”*
*”Take only whats yours!”*
*”The laptops mine. Sos the coffee maker, the microwavegifts from colleagues. The car was mine before we married. Oliver has his own.”*
*”Youve got everythingexcept the ability to have children!”*
*”Not your business. Maybe God had other plans for me.”*
*”You dont even seem sorry! Did you do this on purpose?”*
*”Thats ridiculous. I cant even think about it.”*
Emily scanned the flat. Her things were gone. Toothbrush, makeup, slippers Had she forgotten something? Her mother-in-laws glares made it hard to focus.
Then she rememberedthe old porcelain cat. A little secret inside, one shed never shared, not even with Oliver. Inside it, a set of earrings and a ring. Not valuable, but preciousher grandmothers. Oliver had always called it junk. Had he thrown it out? He usually stuffed unwanted things on the balcony. She opened the door
*”Whatre you looking for? Pack and go!”* her mother-in-law snapped. *”Saying goodbye? Well, say it. Youll never have anything like this again.”*
The cat was there, untouched. Everything inside, safe. Time to leave.
*”Here are the keys. Goodbye. Lets not meet again.”*
She drove to the office. Still on sick leave, she asked for holiday instead.
*”Were all so sorry, but were lost without you. Three weeks enough? Just stay reachablehalf our projects need your input.”*
*”Fine. A distraction will help. Thanks.”*
*”Need anything?”*
*”No.”*
*”Ill sort your holiday pay and bonus.”*
*”Thanks. Thatll help.”*
Emily didnt bother house-hunting. She drove straight to the village. No one waited for her thereGrandma had passed three years ago, and shed never known her mother, lost in childbirth.
And now, somehow, she couldnt have a child of her own
An hour later, she was home. The apple tree. The tulips.
The last time she and Oliver were here, it had been autumnbarbecues, laughter.
She pulled into the drive. The garage key was inside.
The door creaked open. Silence. Dirty cups and plates on the table. Hadnt she cleaned last time?
Noshe *had*. Someone had been here.
Two mugs. Plates. Juice cartons. Bottles of Olivers favourite sparkling wine. Not from autumn.
So Oliver had been here. With whom?
Didnt matter now.
Only she had a keyhe mustve copied it. Time to change the locks.
New life. Cleaning first, then a long bath. Washing away the past.
As she stepped out, a knock at the door. Then at the window.
*”Whos there?”*
*”Everything alright?”*
*”Yes”* She frowned.
*”Sorry.”*
A stranger stood outside.
*”Didnt mean to scare you. Im your neighbourbeen watching the place. Saw smoke from the chimney, thought Id check.”*
*”All fine. Thanks.”*
*”Related to Oliver? He was here recently with his wife Sister?”*
*”Ex-wife. Almost ex. Its in progress.”*
*”House yours?”*
*”Mine.”*
*”Im just staying nearby. Friends place. Divorce pendingfree man tomorrow. Need help, just ask. Im Ian.”*
*”Emily. Waitcan you change a lock?”*
*”Sure. Tell me when.”*
*”Soon. Ill buy one tomorrow.”*
*”Let me checksave you the trip. Im heading into town.”*
*”Alright.”*
Two weeks passed. One more week of holiday, then back to the city. Shed grown used to the villagehad no desire to leave. Oliver hadnt called. Just a text with the divorce date. Fine by her. Seeing him was the last thing she wanted.
Saturday morning. Early riser as ever, Ian invited her for a walk by the lake.
New relationships werent on her mind, but a stroll hurt no one. They laughed, talked, returned for lunch.
Olivers car sat outside. Hed just arrived. The door openedout he stepped, then helped a pregnant woman out.
Emily and Ian reached the gate as Oliver struggled with the front door.
*”Whats this?”*
*”What are *we* doing here? Why are *you* breaking into *my* house?”*
Oliver froze.
*”This is *our* home!”* the woman shrilled.
*”Says who? Oliver?”* Emily crossed her arms. *”This is mine. Leave.”*
*”Ollie! Who is she? Your ex?! Throw her out!”*
Emily and Ian laughed. Wordless, Oliver bundled his wife into the car and sped off.
*”Hes in for a fun life,”* Ian murmured.
*”At least shell give him a child. I couldnt. Three tries.”* She sighed. *”Sorry.”*
*”My divorce? Because my wife didnt want kids”*
Four years later, a chance meeting with her ex-mother-in-law at the supermarket.
*”Emily! Hardly recognised you. Been watching you. Youre glowing. Yourepregnant?”*
*”Yes.”* She rested a hand on her bump.
*”Olivers not well. The boys weaksomething wrong, the doctors say. His wife left him with the baby. Youre doing this alone?”*
*”Not alone. Got a family waiting.”*
*”Oh? Im sorry for everything.”*
*”Youll need patience.”*
Her ex-mother-in-law watched as Emily walked away. Ian held her arm, their little girlspitting image of her motherskipping beside them.
**Lesson learned: Sometimes the life you lose is the one you were meant to escape.**
