Mum, you really need to find a new husband as quickly as possible! It’s extremely urgent!
Alice nearly dropped her coffee cup, with some of the liquid splashing onto the tablecloth. She placed it on the table, cleared her throat, and looked intently at her daughter.
“Tell me what’s the matter,” she requested, keeping her voice steady. “Why this sudden demand?”
Emily shifted her weight from one foot to the other, dropped her gaze, and started studying the design on the carpet. She felt uncomfortable, yet she was completely sure she had done the right thing.
“You know… Today I mentioned to dad that you’ve met someone,” she exhaled deeply. “He wouldn’t stop questioning me! He’s always asking if you’ve found anybody! Every time I said no, he would launch into a long speech about the huge mistake you made by leaving him. According to him, you don’t understand life at all for letting go of such a great guy!”
She lifted her eyes to her mother. Her look conveyed annoyance, bewilderment, and even anger toward her father.
“And he keeps saying that you’ll soon see you were wrong and come back. No one better will come along, he claims. That’s when I snapped and told him you’d met someone.”
Alice brushed her hand through her hair. Immediately, the familiar tones of her former husband came to mind that pretended assurance, the way he always turned talks into lectures on how right he was.
“I can picture the colourful language he uses,” she remarked with a touch of irony. “He still can’t accept that I walked away from him, the perfect man. I sometimes think he pushes for your weekend visits just to deliver his speeches. He doesn’t care about talking to you; he wants the latest gossip to boost his ego.”
Emily let out a heavy sigh and flopped onto the sofa, tucking her legs beneath her as usual. Resting on a cushion, she ran her hand over the soft upholstery fabric absentmindedly, trying to organise her thoughts.
“Yes, that’s what I believe too,” she said, gazing off to the side. “I have to sit through an hour and a half of him boasting about how fantastic he is. The rest of the time, I’m on my own he never asks how I’m doing or if I need anything, not even about school.”
She described it in such an everyday manner, like her regular schedule: rising, breakfast, school, homework. This had become normal for Emily long ago, so much so that it no longer stirred any feelings.
She leaned back against the sofa and fixed her eyes on the ceiling, going over the recent talk with her dad in her mind. As usual, it began with his latest success this time a detailed account of how skilfully he handled negotiations with partners. Then came his future plans, work challenges, and how his contributions were undervalued by everyone. An hour and a half of monologue Emily had even timed it mentally to remember for her chat with her mum.
When she attempted to mention her maths olympiad at school, her father gave a distracted nod and switched back to his own matters. “Well done, but at my age I was already…” and off he went again with tales of his achievements.
Emily shrugged lightly, pushing the memories aside. She had grown accustomed to this pattern. For as long as she could recall, her dad had been wrapped up only in himself. The rest of the family existed on the edges of his attention valued, but not enough to pull focus from the main subject, himself.
He always steered conversations back to his own issues. If her mum mentioned feeling tired, he would immediately talk about how tough things were at his job. If Emily shared something about her friends, he would pivot to his own school days, which were naturally more exciting. He seemed blind to others’ worries or dismissed them as unimportant.
Emily still couldn’t figure out how her mum had put up with fifteen years beside such a man. He was obsessed with his own brilliant image! Maybe her mum had stayed just for her, to ensure she didn’t grow up without a father. As a child, Emily had truly thought her dad would eventually change and start paying attention to them… But time passed with no change. Only after the divorce did she realise with surprise that life without him was far more peaceful! No one hogged all the attention, treating others’ concerns as minor.
“So why do I have to rush out and find a partner?” Alice’s voice came out sharper than she intended. “I said it, so what?”
“When dad heard, he changed completely!” Emily winced, clutching a pillow from the sofa to her chest. “He went pale, then red, and started yelling so loudly that the neighbour rushed over! I have to admit, it scared me a bit.”
She paused, remembering the incident. Her dad’s voice was unnaturally high and cracking, fists tight, eyes darting. It looked like he might explode from all the emotions.
“He insisted I give the man’s name and describe him fully,” Emily went on, fiddling with the pillow’s edge. “I said no, that you told me not to say anything, especially to him… I wouldn’t be shocked if he calls you soon to complain.”
Alice turned slowly, leaned against the window ledge, and gazed at her daughter. What a day she had in store… She could easily picture Mark’s level of hysteria… Well played, daughter.
Alice sat beside Emily on the sofa and sighed deeply, embracing her. There was nothing to be done now. The words were out, and they couldn’t be taken back.
“Why did you come up with that?” she asked quietly, gently rocking her daughter. “We were getting along fine! Now we’ll have to put up with his outbursts and complaints again. I even felt like switching off the phone.”
Emily eased out of the hug, sat upright, and met her mother’s eyes seriously. Her expression showed real conviction.
“Because you’re amazing!” she declared firmly. “You’re beautiful, clever, you have lots of friends, and men find you attractive! Do you think I don’t notice? But dad always badmouths you! I’ve had enough!”
Alice stroked her daughter’s hair softly, running her fingers through the smooth locks. Her eyes held warmth and a hint of confusion.
“I get it, love, I get it,” she said gently. “To be honest, I thought you might not want me to get into a serious relationship so soon. It’s only been six months since the divorce from your dad.”
This was hard to say. Deep down, she worried her daughter might see a new romance as a betrayal or an attempt to replace her father. Alice studied Emily’s face closely for any sign of displeasure.
“That’s silly!” Emily huffed, her voice carrying such honest resolve that Alice had to smile. “As long as you’re happy!”
The girl folded her arms across her chest, smiling at her mother. She looked remarkably mature in that moment sensible beyond her years and prepared to stand by her views.
Alice kept watching her daughter, and her anxiety slowly eased. Emily was so sure that doubts started to fade. Perhaps she was overthinking the past and fearing the future?
“You’re a clever girl,” Alice said quietly, drawing her daughter close again. “Thank you for looking out for me.”
Emily nestled against her, settling comfortably at her side. In that instant, both sensed the bond between them growing even warmer and more peaceful as if their little family was only getting stronger despite everything…
Alice was at her desk, struggling to focus on a report. The words swam before her eyes, and a dull ache throbbed in her temples. It had started as a minor hint in the morning but had become unbearable by midday. She rubbed her temples wearily, hoping for some relief. Her actions were slow and automatic she’d done this many times already.
After a few minutes’ thought, she asked a colleague to pop into the pharmacy nearby, just a two-minute walk away. With the tablets in hand, she took them with water from the jug and tried once more to read the papers. No good. Her head felt heavy as lead, and every noise keys clicking, the air con humming, voices down the hall hit her like a sharp wave.
Just then, the security guard poked his head in. He looked polite but a bit wary.
“Alice, there’s someone here for you,” he said, opening the door a bit. “Your ex-husband is demanding to see you. Are you coming down, or do we send him away?”
Alice paused. Irritation and tiredness welled up. She breathed deeply to stay composed.
“I’ll be right down, sorry for the trouble,” she said, standing up.
She cursed inwardly. Terrible timing! The day was already bad enough with her splitting head, and now Mark had turned up unannounced. Why not call first? Why come to her work with all these people around? Was he planning to cause a scene here?
She walked slowly to the door, avoiding quick moves that would worsen her headache. The hallway bustled with staff on errands, laughter by the coffee machine, and project talks at the noticeboard. Alice passed them, tension building in her shoulders.
In the lobby, she spotted Mark right away. He was striding back and forth, approaching the reception then retreating. His gestures were jerky as he gestured wildly at the guards, raising his voice now and then. The security team looked annoyed but polite, ready to act if needed.
“What do you want?” Alice asked bluntly as she got closer. Her tone was level, though she felt irritated. “What’s this performance about? Looking to meet the police up close? I can make that happen.”
Mark whipped around at her voice. His face flushed, eyes blazing with some fire, maybe rage or nerves. He rushed over, jabbing a finger at her accusingly, like he’d uncovered a crime.
“You!” he yelled. “You! Emily told me all about it! Only six months after the divorce, and you’ve got a new man already?”
Disbelief, hurt, and clear jealousy laced his words. He’d hoped till the end that Emily was wrong or joking. But Alice’s calm look told him it was real.
Alice lifted her brows, head tilted slightly. She stayed relaxed, but a cold glint appeared in her eyes.
“Should I stay loyal to you forever?” she replied evenly. “Even after we’re divorced? That’s asking a lot, love. Especially since you didn’t think fidelity mattered much during our marriage.”
Mark stood still for a beat, unsure how to respond. His pointing hand dropped slowly. A flash of bewilderment crossed his face he hadn’t expected such a steady comeback.
People moved around them: workers, visitors, delivery people. Some glanced over curiously, others ignored it. But for them, everything else faded, leaving just this tense space full of past hurts, unsaid complaints, and the new situation Mark struggled to accept.
“You… you’re just…” he started, but Alice cut in.
“Let’s skip the drama, Mark,” she said, voice softer yet firm. “If there’s something to talk about, we can do it calmly. Just not here like this.”
“Drama? I’ll give you drama!”
Mark’s shout echoed in the big lobby. Crimson patches covered his face, neck veins bulged, fists opening and closing with nerves. He stepped forward then back, unable to settle on how to threaten.
“I won’t have my daughter living with some stranger!” he yelled, oblivious to the staff watching. “I’ll take Emily from you! You’ll never see her again! You…”
The words were frantic, but Alice just raised an eyebrow, keeping a cool, detached look. Take her daughter? She’d like to see him try! The court would back her.
“All done? Quite the performer,” she said evenly, with a hint of mockery. “Straight from the circus.”
“What’s happening here?”
Mark stopped and spun toward the new voice. A man in a smart dark blue suit stood in the doorway to the lobby. He had an easy confidence in his stance and a steady, watchful gaze. The guards straightened immediately this guy was clearly important in the company.
“Stay out of it!” Mark snapped at the stranger, face still red with rage, voice hostile. “This is private, none of your concern.”
The man took his time. He advanced slowly, stopping at a distance to view both. He gave a slight smirk, which wound Mark up more.
“Private is when you’re talking to your wife alone,” he said at last. “Making a fuss in public turns it into everyone’s business.”
Alice watched quietly, the air thick with tension. Robert’s arrival surprised her, but his stepping in seemed right it derailed Mark’s usual ranting and threats.
Mark advanced on him, ready to snap back, but Robert didn’t budge. His calm gaze suggested he’d handled worse.
“Who are you to order me around?” Mark growled, holding onto his temper. “Meddling in what’s not yours!”
Robert strode forward confidently. He went to Alice, still a bit dazed, and slipped an arm around her waist, making it clear to all.
“Who am I?” he said casually but with icy resolve that made Mark back off. “The man who makes Alice happy. You don’t get to yell at my woman, and I won’t stand for it. A police visit won’t be the end of it; I’ll see you have plenty of trouble. And if you try using the daughter against her… I believe you get my point.”
Mark stood rigid. The anger drained from his face, leaving him pale. He looked between Robert and Alice, grasping that he’d lost control. Confusion showed in his eyes this wasn’t the reaction he’d expected.
He stood quiet for minutes, fists working, fighting the urge to retort. But nothing came out, overpowered by Robert’s assurance or the sense that his old tactics failed here.
At last he twisted his face, mumbled something unclear, and turned sharply. His walk was stiff now, not the aggressive stride before, as he tried to hold onto some pride. At the door, he looked back and called out:
“Forget about alimony!”
“I don’t want it,” Alice said with a snort once he was gone. Her voice was light and sarcastic, but relief was real. “And Emily won’t have to go see her dad anymore!”
Then she noticed Robert’s hand still on her waist. The warm, sure touch embarrassed her a little. She looked down, cheeks warming, and stepped away naturally.
With a small, awkward smile, she faced him.
“Thanks a lot, Robert. You can’t imagine how much that helped!”
She meant it. Gratitude filled her for the intervention and the calm way he’d done it.
He smiled faintly, eyes softening.
“Talk about it over lunch?” he asked, offering his hand.
Alice hesitated, old doubts rising too soon? Might look silly? But she pushed them away. He was polite and respectful, and she wanted a quiet chat with him.
Plus, she was curious about who he was, why he’d stepped in, what was behind that steady confidence.
“Sure,” she said, taking his hand.
His grip felt good strong, steady, not overbearing. The tension from Mark’s visit eased, replaced by a flutter of excitement.
Later, in a cozy spot at a nearby restaurant, talk came easily. Warm lamp light, soft music, and fresh bread smells set a nice mood.
In their easy chat, she found out he’d liked her for a while. He said it plainly, no grand words, just like something that had been building naturally.
“I waited a long time to say anything,” he confessed, stirring his coffee. “You seemed so focused and serious. I knew the divorce was hard, and I didn’t want to push or seem pushy.”
Alice listened quietly. No arrogance in his words, just honesty and care for her space.
“And today, seeing him yell at you…” Robert scowled. “I couldn’t just watch.”
She smiled softly. So that’s why! She’d seen his looks but thought it was just work. Robert was appealing, but the boss-employee thing had stopped her from acting.
Three months after the office incident, Alice and Robert tied the knot officially. The wedding was grand, and Robert made all her wishes come true.
Emily was thrilled for her mum. She helped Alice prepare on the day, checking every detail from hair to dress buttons. When they exchanged rings, she smiled and hugged them both.
“I’m so happy for you!” she whispered, eyes full of real joy.
But she also said straight away she wasn’t ready to call Robert dad.
“I like you, Robert,” she told him one evening when it was just the three of them. “And I’m glad mum has someone. But I’ve got a dad already, whatever he’s like.”
Robert nodded, no hurt showing.
“I understand, Emily. That’s fine. What’s important is we’re all here together.”
Mark got an invite too, sent more to mock than invite. Alice wondered if she should, but decided yes let him see her life moving on without him. It went by post, just the card with details, no note.
Of course he didn’t come. The idea didn’t even appeal; it just brought anger and hurt. So he vented by phoning old friends instead.
He called the day after getting the card. He tried to sound calm, but strain came through.
“Would you believe she invited me to her wedding!” he said before the friend could greet back. “After all that’s gone on!”
The friend, an old uni pal, asked what was so bad about it. Mark dismissed it.
“How could she do that? It’s humiliating!”
He repeated this over days, calling one after another. Each chat started with the invite and his outrage. He wanted someone to agree it was wrong.
But people stayed neutral. Some nodded, others said things like “Everyone lives their life,” some just didn’t reply. The more he talked, the more he saw his case wasn’t strong.
He claimed Alice was too quick to remarry.
“Six months, that’s all! You can’t find true love that fast. She’s running from reality, trying to forget me.”
Or he’d say:
“She gave me no chance to make things right! If we’d talked, I could have fixed it…”
He left what “it” was vague.
Sometimes it got odd:
“I did everything for her, and she didn’t even thank me. Just left, taking the kid too!”
The “ungrateful” bit didn’t land well. Friends looked at each other, shrugged, and one might say:
“Why thank you? That’s what marriage is.”
Mark would go quiet, annoyed. No one backed his anger or called Alice names. They all seemed to think she could move on, which made him madder.
Finally, sick of it, he quit calling. In his flat, he looked at Alice’s old stuff a hair clip left behind, a photo album, some dresses too small now and saw life carries on. He just hadn’t found his spot in it yet.
Tired of pointless calls, Mark stopped. Meanwhile, Alice, Robert, and Emily’s life went on calmly and steadily, with small pleasures like family meals, weekend outings, and light debates over evening films.Mum, you really need to find a new husband as quickly as possible! It’s extremely urgent!
Alice nearly dropped her coffee cup, with some of the liquid splashing onto the tablecloth. She placed it on the table, cleared her throat, and looked intently at her daughter.
“Tell me what’s the matter,” she requested, keeping her voice steady. “Why this sudden demand?”
Emily shifted her weight from one foot to the other, dropped her gaze, and started studying the design on the carpet. She felt uncomfortable, yet she was completely sure she had done the right thing.
“You know… Today I mentioned to dad that you’ve met someone,” she exhaled deeply. “He wouldn’t stop questioning me! He’s always asking if you’ve found anybody! Every time I said no, he would launch into a long speech about the huge mistake you made by leaving him. According to him, you don’t understand life at all for letting go of such a great guy!”
She lifted her eyes to her mother. Her look conveyed annoyance, bewilderment, and even anger toward her father.
“And he keeps saying that you’ll soon see you were wrong and come back. No one better will come along, he claims. That’s when I snapped and told him you’d met someone.”
Alice brushed her hand through her hair. Immediately, the familiar tones of her former husband came to mind that pretended assurance, the way he always turned talks into lectures on how right he was.
“I can picture the colourful language he uses,” she remarked with a touch of irony. “He still can’t accept that I walked away from him, the perfect man. I sometimes think he pushes for your weekend visits just to deliver his speeches. He doesn’t care about talking to you; he wants the latest gossip to boost his ego.”
Emily let out a heavy sigh and flopped onto the sofa, tucking her legs beneath her as usual. Resting on a cushion, she ran her hand over the soft upholstery fabric absentmindedly, trying to organise her thoughts.
“Yes, that’s what I believe too,” she said, gazing off to the side. “I have to sit through an hour and a half of him boasting about how fantastic he is. The rest of the time, I’m on my own he never asks how I’m doing or if I need anything, not even about school.”
She described it in such an everyday manner, like her regular schedule: rising, breakfast, school, homework. This had become normal for Emily long ago, so much so that it no longer stirred any feelings.
She leaned back against the sofa and fixed her eyes on the ceiling, going over the recent talk with her dad in her mind. As usual, it began with his latest success this time a detailed account of how skilfully he handled negotiations with partners. Then came his future plans, work challenges, and how his contributions were undervalued by everyone. An hour and a half of monologue Emily had even timed it mentally to remember for her chat with her mum.
When she attempted to mention her maths olympiad at school, her father gave a distracted nod and switched back to his own matters. “Well done, but at my age I was already…” and off he went again with tales of his achievements.
Emily shrugged lightly, pushing the memories aside. She had grown accustomed to this pattern. For as long as she could recall, her dad had been wrapped up only in himself. The rest of the family existed on the edges of his attention valued, but not enough to pull focus from the main subject, himself.
He always steered conversations back to his own issues. If her mum mentioned feeling tired, he would immediately talk about how tough things were at his job. If Emily shared something about her friends, he would pivot to his own school days, which were naturally more exciting. He seemed blind to others’ worries or dismissed them as unimportant.
Emily still couldn’t figure out how her mum had put up with fifteen years beside such a man. He was obsessed with his own brilliant image! Maybe her mum had stayed just for her, to ensure she didn’t grow up without a father. As a child, Emily had truly thought her dad would eventually change and start paying attention to them… But time passed with no change. Only after the divorce did she realise with surprise that life without him was far more peaceful! No one hogged all the attention, treating others’ concerns as minor.
“So why do I have to rush out and find a partner?” Alice’s voice came out sharper than she intended. “I said it, so what?”
“When dad heard, he changed completely!” Emily winced, clutching a pillow from the sofa to her chest. “He went pale, then red, and started yelling so loudly that the neighbour rushed over! I have to admit, it scared me a bit.”
She paused, remembering the incident. Her dad’s voice was unnaturally high and cracking, fists tight, eyes darting. It looked like he might explode from all the emotions.
“He insisted I give the man’s name and describe him fully,” Emily went on, fiddling with the pillow’s edge. “I said no, that you told me not to say anything, especially to him… I wouldn’t be shocked if he calls you soon to complain.”
Alice turned slowly, leaned against the window ledge, and gazed at her daughter. What a day she had in store… She could easily picture Mark’s level of hysteria… Well played, daughter.
Alice sat beside Emily on the sofa and sighed deeply, embracing her. There was nothing to be done now. The words were out, and they couldn’t be taken back.
“Why did you come up with that?” she asked quietly, gently rocking her daughter. “We were getting along fine! Now we’ll have to put up with his outbursts and complaints again. I even felt like switching off the phone.”
Emily eased out of the hug, sat upright, and met her mother’s eyes seriously. Her expression showed real conviction.
“Because you’re amazing!” she declared firmly. “You’re beautiful, clever, you have lots of friends, and men find you attractive! Do you think I don’t notice? But dad always badmouths you! I’ve had enough!”
Alice stroked her daughter’s hair softly, running her fingers through the smooth locks. Her eyes held warmth and a hint of confusion.
“I get it, love, I get it,” she said gently. “To be honest, I thought you might not want me to get into a serious relationship so soon. It’s only been six months since the divorce from your dad.”
This was hard to say. Deep down, she worried her daughter might see a new romance as a betrayal or an attempt to replace her father. Alice studied Emily’s face closely for any sign of displeasure.
“That’s silly!” Emily huffed, her voice carrying such honest resolve that Alice had to smile. “As long as you’re happy!”
The girl folded her arms across her chest, smiling at her mother. She looked remarkably mature in that moment sensible beyond her years and prepared to stand by her views.
Alice kept watching her daughter, and her anxiety slowly eased. Emily was so sure that doubts started to fade. Perhaps she was overthinking the past and fearing the future?
“You’re a clever girl,” Alice said quietly, drawing her daughter close again. “Thank you for looking out for me.”
Emily nestled against her, settling comfortably at her side. In that instant, both sensed the bond between them growing even warmer and more peaceful as if their little family was only getting stronger despite everything…
Alice was at her desk, struggling to focus on a report. The words swam before her eyes, and a dull ache throbbed in her temples. It had started as a minor hint in the morning but had become unbearable by midday. She rubbed her temples wearily, hoping for some relief. Her actions were slow and automatic she’d done this many times already.
After a few minutes’ thought, she asked a colleague to pop into the pharmacy nearby, just a two-minute walk away. With the tablets in hand, she took them with water from the jug and tried once more to read the papers. No good. Her head felt heavy as lead, and every noise keys clicking, the air con humming, voices down the hall hit her like a sharp wave.
Just then, the security guard poked his head in. He looked polite but a bit wary.
“Alice, there’s someone here for you,” he said, opening the door a bit. “Your ex-husband is demanding to see you. Are you coming down, or do we send him away?”
Alice paused. Irritation and tiredness welled up. She breathed deeply to stay composed.
“I’ll be right down, sorry for the trouble,” she said, standing up.
She cursed inwardly. Terrible timing! The day was already bad enough with her splitting head, and now Mark had turned up unannounced. Why not call first? Why come to her work with all these people around? Was he planning to cause a scene here?
She walked slowly to the door, avoiding quick moves that would worsen her headache. The hallway bustled with staff on errands, laughter by the coffee machine, and project talks at the noticeboard. Alice passed them, tension building in her shoulders.
In the lobby, she spotted Mark right away. He was striding back and forth, approaching the reception then retreating. His gestures were jerky as he gestured wildly at the guards, raising his voice now and then. The security team looked annoyed but polite, ready to act if needed.
“What do you want?” Alice asked bluntly as she got closer. Her tone was level, though she felt irritated. “What’s this performance about? Looking to meet the police up close? I can make that happen.”
Mark whipped around at her voice. His face flushed, eyes blazing with some fire, maybe rage or nerves. He rushed over, jabbing a finger at her accusingly, like he’d uncovered a crime.
“You!” he yelled. “You! Emily told me all about it! Only six months after the divorce, and you’ve got a new man already?”
Disbelief, hurt, and clear jealousy laced his words. He’d hoped till the end that Emily was wrong or joking. But Alice’s calm look told him it was real.
Alice lifted her brows, head tilted slightly. She stayed relaxed, but a cold glint appeared in her eyes.
“Should I stay loyal to you forever?” she replied evenly. “Even after we’re divorced? That’s asking a lot, love. Especially since you didn’t think fidelity mattered much during our marriage.”
Mark stood still for a beat, unsure how to respond. His pointing hand dropped slowly. A flash of bewilderment crossed his face he hadn’t expected such a steady comeback.
People moved around them: workers, visitors, delivery people. Some glanced over curiously, others ignored it. But for them, everything else faded, leaving just this tense space full of past hurts, unsaid complaints, and the new situation Mark struggled to accept.
“You… you’re just…” he started, but Alice cut in.
“Let’s skip the drama, Mark,” she said, voice softer yet firm. “If there’s something to talk about, we can do it calmly. Just not here like this.”
“Drama? I’ll give you drama!”
Mark’s shout echoed in the big lobby. Crimson patches covered his face, neck veins bulged, fists opening and closing with nerves. He stepped forward then back, unable to settle on how to threaten.
“I won’t have my daughter living with some stranger!” he yelled, oblivious to the staff watching. “I’ll take Emily from you! You’ll never see her again! You…”
The words were frantic, but Alice just raised an eyebrow, keeping a cool, detached look. Take her daughter? She’d like to see him try! The court would back her.
“All done? Quite the performer,” she said evenly, with a hint of mockery. “Straight from the circus.”
“What’s happening here?”
Mark stopped and spun toward the new voice. A man in a smart dark blue suit stood in the doorway to the lobby. He had an easy confidence in his stance and a steady, watchful gaze. The guards straightened immediately this guy was clearly important in the company.
“Stay out of it!” Mark snapped at the stranger, face still red with rage, voice hostile. “This is private, none of your concern.”
The man took his time. He advanced slowly, stopping at a distance to view both. He gave a slight smirk, which wound Mark up more.
“Private is when you’re talking to your wife alone,” he said at last. “Making a fuss in public turns it into everyone’s business.”
Alice watched quietly, the air thick with tension. Robert’s arrival surprised her, but his stepping in seemed right it derailed Mark’s usual ranting and threats.
Mark advanced on him, ready to snap back, but Robert didn’t budge. His calm gaze suggested he’d handled worse.
“Who are you to order me around?” Mark growled, holding onto his temper. “Meddling in what’s not yours!”
Robert strode forward confidently. He went to Alice, still a bit dazed, and slipped an arm around her waist, making it clear to all.
“Who am I?” he said casually but with icy resolve that made Mark back off. “The man who makes Alice happy. You don’t get to yell at my woman, and I won’t stand for it. A police visit won’t be the end of it; I’ll see you have plenty of trouble. And if you try using the daughter against her… I believe you get my point.”
Mark stood rigid. The anger drained from his face, leaving him pale. He looked between Robert and Alice, grasping that he’d lost control. Confusion showed in his eyes this wasn’t the reaction he’d expected.
He stood quiet for minutes, fists working, fighting the urge to retort. But nothing came out, overpowered by Robert’s assurance or the sense that his old tactics failed here.
At last he twisted his face, mumbled something unclear, and turned sharply. His walk was stiff now, not the aggressive stride before, as he tried to hold onto some pride. At the door, he looked back and called out:
“Forget about alimony!”
“I don’t want it,” Alice said with a snort once he was gone. Her voice was light and sarcastic, but relief was real. “And Emily won’t have to go see her dad anymore!”
Then she noticed Robert’s hand still on her waist. The warm, sure touch embarrassed her a little. She looked down, cheeks warming, and stepped away naturally.
With a small, awkward smile, she faced him.
“Thanks a lot, Robert. You can’t imagine how much that helped!”
She meant it. Gratitude filled her for the intervention and the calm way he’d done it.
He smiled faintly, eyes softening.
“Talk about it over lunch?” he asked, offering his hand.
Alice hesitated, old doubts rising too soon? Might look silly? But she pushed them away. He was polite and respectful, and she wanted a quiet chat with him.
Plus, she was curious about who he was, why he’d stepped in, what was behind that steady confidence.
“Sure,” she said, taking his hand.
His grip felt good strong, steady, not overbearing. The tension from Mark’s visit eased, replaced by a flutter of excitement.
Later, in a cozy spot at a nearby restaurant, talk came easily. Warm lamp light, soft music, and fresh bread smells set a nice mood.
In their easy chat, she found out he’d liked her for a while. He said it plainly, no grand words, just like something that had been building naturally.
“I waited a long time to say anything,” he confessed, stirring his coffee. “You seemed so focused and serious. I knew the divorce was hard, and I didn’t want to push or seem pushy.”
Alice listened quietly. No arrogance in his words, just honesty and care for her space.
“And today, seeing him yell at you…” Robert scowled. “I couldn’t just watch.”
She smiled softly. So that’s why! She’d seen his looks but thought it was just work. Robert was appealing, but the boss-employee thing had stopped her from acting.
Three months after the office incident, Alice and Robert tied the knot officially. The wedding was grand, and Robert made all her wishes come true.
Emily was thrilled for her mum. She helped Alice prepare on the day, checking every detail from hair to dress buttons. When they exchanged rings, she smiled and hugged them both.
“I’m so happy for you!” she whispered, eyes full of real joy.
But she also said straight away she wasn’t ready to call Robert dad.
“I like you, Robert,” she told him one evening when it was just the three of them. “And I’m glad mum has someone. But I’ve got a dad already, whatever he’s like.”
Robert nodded, no hurt showing.
“I understand, Emily. That’s fine. What’s important is we’re all here together.”
Mark got an invite too, sent more to mock than invite. Alice wondered if she should, but decided yes let him see her life moving on without him. It went by post, just the card with details, no note.
Of course he didn’t come. The idea didn’t even appeal; it just brought anger and hurt. So he vented by phoning old friends instead.
He called the day after getting the card. He tried to sound calm, but strain came through.
“Would you believe she invited me to her wedding!” he said before the friend could greet back. “After all that’s gone on!”
The friend, an old uni pal, asked what was so bad about it. Mark dismissed it.
“How could she do that? It’s humiliating!”
He repeated this over days, calling one after another. Each chat started with the invite and his outrage. He wanted someone to agree it was wrong.
But people stayed neutral. Some nodded, others said things like “Everyone lives their life,” some just didn’t reply. The more he talked, the more he saw his case wasn’t strong.
He claimed Alice was too quick to remarry.
“Six months, that’s all! You can’t find true love that fast. She’s running from reality, trying to forget me.”
Or he’d say:
“She gave me no chance to make things right! If we’d talked, I could have fixed it…”
He left what “it” was vague.
Sometimes it got odd:
“I did everything for her, and she didn’t even thank me. Just left, taking the kid too!”
The “ungrateful” bit didn’t land well. Friends looked at each other, shrugged, and one might say:
“Why thank you? That’s what marriage is.”
Mark would go quiet, annoyed. No one backed his anger or called Alice names. They all seemed to think she could move on, which made him madder.
Finally, sick of it, he quit calling. In his flat, he looked at Alice’s old stuff a hair clip left behind, a photo album, some dresses too small now and saw life carries on. He just hadn’t found his spot in it yet.
Tired of pointless calls, Mark stopped. Meanwhile, Alice, Robert, and Emily’s life went on calmly and steadily, with small pleasures like family meals, weekend outings, and light debates over evening films.
