I cant believe hes away for work again! exclaimed her friend in disbelief. Honestly, doesnt he travel to other cities a bit too often? At this rate, youll soon forget what your husband even looks like.
Eleanor gave a bittersweet smile, her gaze wandering to the rain-speckled window. Two years ago, her husband, William, had been promoted to regional manager, and that was when endless business trips began. William was always off to different towns, managing branches, holding meetings, launching new projects. Eleanor had lost count of the number of times in the last month she had woken up alone in their cold bed.
I do understand, Sophie, Eleanor rubbed the bridge of her nose. I have nothing really to complain about. He earns a good salary. I just tutor now havent been back in a school for ages. Will insisted I leave full-time teaching, said theres no sense in putting myself through that stress. Just take on a few pupils to keep your skills fresh, he said. But dont overdo it.
Sophie leaned in, concern written on her face.
But? she prompted.
But sometimes I just feel so alone, Eleanor finally admitted, voicing the truth shed held inside. Im tired of practically raising Emma by myself. Shes ten now, and clings to me because she barely sees her father. And it isnt the money I miss its him. I want my husband beside me, not just his bank balance.
Sophie slipped an arm around Eleanors shoulders, and Eleanor gratefully leaned into her friends comfort. Theyd known each other since university, and Sophie always seemed to have a sixth sense for the right words.
El, you just need a proper break, Sophie soothed. This has drained you completely. Why dont we go for a weekend at that spa hotel? Your mum can have Emma for two days, and you can finally relax massage, swimming pool, peace and quiet, no responsibilities.
I cant just leave Emma like that, Eleanor shook her head. She barely sees her dad, and now you want me to disappear too.
Its only a couple of days, Eleanor, Sophie squeezed her hand. Your mum adores Emma theyll be over the moon. And youll come back completely renewed. When was the last time you did something for yourself?
Eleanor thought for a moment but drew a blank. All year shed been in limbo: waiting for William to return from trips, waiting for the weekends he promised to spend at home, waiting for a holiday that never seemed to come.
All right, you win, said Eleanor with a sigh.
That evening, Eleanor rang her husband to tell him about the plans. William responded with a cheerfulness that struck her as slightly forced.
Of course you should go! William insisted brightly. You deserve a break, love. Go on, clear your head and have some fun.
A minute after the call ended, Eleanors phone pinged with a notification from her banking app. She opened it and froze: a transfer of two thousand pounds. She stared at the figure, feeling both grateful and uneasy. Yes, the money was generous. Yes, her husband was providing. But somehow, it felt as if William was buying her off
On Saturday morning, Sophie pulled up in her SUV to collect Eleanor, who had already dropped Emma at her mums. Eleanor settled into the passenger seat, feeling strangely liberated.
Where are we heading? Eleanor asked as they left the city behind.
Theres a fabulous new spa hotel in the next town along, Sophie replied with a wink. Hour and a halfs drive, but worth it for the service.
Eleanor leaned back and tried to let go of her worries. The day was wonderful massages, a steam room, a pool overlooking pine woods. Eleanor felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders at last.
That evening, they strolled along the riverbank as the sunset gilded the waters. Sophie was telling a funny story about her boss, and Eleanor was only half-listening, watching the other people walking by.
Suddenly, Eleanor stopped dead in her tracks, and Sophie bumped into her from behind.
Ahead, not thirty yards away, was William. Her husband who was supposedly away on a business trip in another city. Eleanor was about to call out, when a young woman with a pram approached William. William took the prams handle, bent down, and kissed the woman on the lips. It wasnt a friendly peck, but a lovers kiss. Then they walked on together, William chatting while the woman laughed, her head thrown back.
Eleanor stared, frozen, as her husband strolled by with another family. Her mind went blank, her chest swelling with a hollow nothingness that threatened to swallow up everything: love, trust, a decade of marriage, and their shared daughter.
El, that cant be is that really him? Sophie whispered, gripping Eleanors arm.
But Eleanor didnt answer. She dashed forward, yanking William by the sleeve and turning him around. Williams face turned deathly pale when he saw his wife.
Eleanor? William stammered, recoiling. What what are you doing here?
Thats my question, Will, Eleanor barely recognised her own voice. Whats going on? Who is this woman? Whose baby is that?
The young mother with the pram froze. She was beautiful, about twenty-five, her wide eyes shining with naked fear.
Will, who is she? the woman asked quietly.
This is my wife, Charlotte, William managed. I told you about her. Eleanor, lets step aside and talk about this calmly.
Calmly? Eleanor let out a short, bitter laugh. Tell me right now, Will. What does this mean?
William dragged his hand over his face, sighing heavily. The baby in the pram whimpered.
I met Charlotte on a work trip, William began. Two years ago. It just happened. I didnt mean for it to, but
It just happened? Eleanor cut him off. You have a child, Will. Children dont just happen.
Oliver is eight months old, William mumbled, eyes downcast. El, I wanted to tell you, I really did. I just didnt know how.
Hot, angry tears stung Eleanors cheeks. Ten years of marriage, a child, all their dreams shattered in an instant.
You should have told me, she whispered. We could have sorted it out with some dignity. Why lie for two years?
Because I love you both, William stepped closer. I didnt want to lose anyone. I wished I could be happy with you both, El. You have to understand
Eleanor backed away.
Understand? You expect me to understand that you built a second family while I waited for you to come home? That those generous payments were just hush money for your guilty conscience?
Thats not it, El, William pleaded, reaching for her.
Dont you dare touch me. As far as Im concerned, youre a stranger.
Sophie rushed over and looped her arm around Eleanor, gently leading her away far from the man shed thought was her husband.
The drive home was a grey blur. Sophie drove in silence, glancing over occasionally, while Eleanor stared out the window, seeing nothing: not the passing trees, not the cars, not the road signs.
Back at her mothers, Eleanor quickly packed a bag, moving on autopilot, not daring to pause for thought. Then she joined her mum and Emma in the lounge.
Mum, we need to talk. Emma, darling, you too you need to hear this.
Judith immediately sensed the weight of what had happened, sitting across from them with a worried frown.
Eleanor took Emmas hand.
Daddy and I are getting a divorce. Your dad hes done something very wrong. Hes been lying to us, Eleanor said. He has another family another woman, with a little boy. He says he loves them too. But you cant have two families and pretend to everyone. It isnt right.
Emma crumpled into tears, and Eleanor pulled her close. Judith clenched her fists and shook her head.
Knew it, Judith muttered bitterly. I just knew these work trips would come to no good.
Days became a blur of calls and messages. William tried to explain, to plead with Eleanor to take him back, promising hed leave Charlotte. But Eleanor didnt respond. Now, she clearly saw that every act of generosity was just hush money, every text an empty attempt to make her believe in a life that was gone. William had truly believed that by supporting both families, he could keep everyone happy.
Three months later, the divorce went through. William didnt contest it, signed the papers, and agreed to pay maintenance. Now, he visited Emma at weekends, and every time he came, Eleanor stayed in another room. She no longer greeted him or looked him in the eye he was just her daughters father, nothing more. The man she thought she knew was a stranger after all.
Eleanor learned that it is far better to live in painful truth than comforting deceit. Trust, once broken, is hard to repair and love means nothing without honesty. Sometimes, the courage to walk away is the first step towards rediscovering yourself.
