**Diary Entry**
I cant remember the last time I felt this refreshed. My business trip got delayed by a few hours, and without a word of explanation, I turned off my phone and stretched out on the bed. Just this morning, Id returned from my in-laws place in the countryside, where Id spent two exhausting daysscrubbing, cleaning, cookingall while enduring constant criticism from my husband, Ethan, and his mother.
According to her, Id ruined Ethan by not earning enough, as if my salary alone was supposed to keep them all afloat. Ethan backed her up, insisting I could easily pick up extra work since I got home early and barely had to lift a finger.
*Look how she mops the floors,* his mother tutted. *Takes her ages. Shouldve been doing the laundry instead.*
I snapped back that if they cleaned even once a week, the house wouldnt be such a mess. That was a mistake. The lecture that followed was relentless. I closed my eyes and calmly suggested, *I did offer for you to move to London. Ethan and I could look after you there, and he wouldnt have had to quit his job.*
Ethan exploded. *So you want me to work myself to the bone and still take care of Mum? You must have a heart of stone.*
I didnt stick around for the rest. I just walked out to the bench by the front gate.
*Valerie, love, whats happened?* It was Tanya, my neighbour. Wed known each other since before the wedding, and Id always liked her.
*Oh, Tanya,* I sighed.
*That lot giving you trouble again?*
*Dont even start.*
*None of my business, but I dont get why you put up with it. Hes there all the time, but youre not really living together. Whats the point?*
*We didnt choose this, Tanya. His mums illwhat else can we do? Once shes better, hell move back.*
Tanya smirked. *Shed run a marathon if it meant bossing someone around. I reckon shes milking it. You used to be different. What happened? Did they wear you down?*
*I dont know. Just drop by if youre free.*
When my phone rang later, it was my boss. My trip had been moved to noon tomorrow. I was thrilledmore money, plus a break from Ethans calls. That evening, the mood at home was lighter. We even slept in separate beds to avoid upsetting his mum. I didnt argue. I was too tired.
At 2 a.m., she woke me. *Are you deaf? Ive been calling you!*
Bleary-eyed, I mumbled, *I was asleep. What do you need?*
*Fetch my pills.*
I stared. The medicine cabinet was closer to her than to meor to Ethan. But I got up. By 5 a.m., I finally dozed off, only to wake at 6:30. When I reached London, I was shattered. Then came the newsmy trip was delayed. I nearly cheered. Switching off my phone, I collapsed onto the bed. Now, finally, I felt human again.
I even had time to freshen up before catching my train. Didnt matter that my destination had changedId had a proper rest.
An hour earlier, my expenses had been paid. For once, I didnt send the money to Ethan. Something had shifted. Id already given most of my last paycheck. This time, I kept it.
With twenty minutes to spare, I ducked into a café for waterand froze. There was Ethan, at a flower stall. He was supposed to be caring for his *deathly ill* mother. Yet here he was, buying roses.
I followed him, a sickening thought forming. What if they werent for me?
Nine minutes until departure. I hailed a cab. *Follow that car. Ill double the fare.*
The drivertoo well-dressed for a cabbieraised an eyebrow but agreed. Through the window, I saw Ethan embrace a woman, handing her the bouquet before she climbed into a car. My stomach twisted.
*Might not be what you think,* the driver said lightly.
Only then did I really look at him. This wasnt a taxi.
*Sorry,* I mumbled, cheeks burning.
*Lets stop the waterworks before you flood my car,* he joked.
Half an hour later, I stood by the Thames with a coffee, watching the sunset. It was breathtaking.
*Like it?* asked the driverOliver.
*Ive lived here years and never knew this spot.*
*I come here a lot. Found it after my wife cheated,* he admitted.
I blinked. *And I was about to say the same thing.*
He laughed. *Exactly. Thought the samehow could anyone cheat on *me*?*
We swapped numbers. Started texting. Small talk, goodnights.
Two days later, as I packed for another trip, Ethan called.
*Val, wheres the money? Theyve paid you, havent they?*
*They have. Its for my expenses.*
*So youre not sending it?*
*No, Ethan. And while were at it, get your things out of *my* flat.*
Silence. Then*Are you mad? How am I supposed to live?*
*Get a job, like every other man.*
*I cantMums sick!*
*Not too sick for you to buy flowers for other women *with my money* and bring them to *my home*.*
I hung up. For the first time, I saw how naive Id been.
Oliver and I kept in touch. One morning, as I left for another trip, Ethan ambushed me by the door.
*We need to talk.*
*No, we dont.*
He grabbed my arm. *Youre not walking away that easy. So I had a bit of funIm a man, its normal.*
*And I dont care.*
His grip tightened. *Youll apologise. Youve made me worry enough.*
I yanked freejust as Oliver appeared, shoving Ethan back.
*Val, you alright?*
Ethan sneered. *Got yourself a new bloke? Fine. Im filing for divorce!*
I straightened. *Brilliant. Saves me the trouble.*
As we drove off, Oliver chuckled. *Hes still standing there, gobsmacked.*
*Ex-husband,* I corrected. *Now explain why youre here.*
*You said you were travelling today. I came to drive you.*
*Its a three-hour trip!*
*Yep.* He braked suddenly, popped the boot, and returned with white roses. *Nearly forgot. This was the plan.*
I stared at him, then the flowers, and smiled.
Better than anything Id dared dream.
