Dont you ever set foot in my house again tomorrow! Michael roars.
You still cant get a divorce from me, Molly protests. And look youll never see your daughter again!
Come on, say it again right here, Michael smirks. She meets his gaze and knows he isnt joking.
Mollys life turns bright after she turns twentyfive. Thats when she meets Michael and, six months later, she marries him, much to the delight of her mother, with whom she has never had a smooth relationship.
Michael is eight years older, has an ordinary face, but is caring, kind and runs his own small business. Molly judges herself honestly she isnt a knockout, though she can look stunning when she wants, and there are thousands of girls like her. Few women ever land a sober, calm, welloff husband.
She doesnt waste her chance and, in two years of marriage, never once regrets it. She keeps her job as a callcentre operator for a modest trading firm, but she no longer worries about money.
They live in a threebedroom flat in London that Michael rents, he buys her a brandnew foreignmade car, and he splashes cash on shops, salons and any impulse purchase. A livein cleaner turns up twice a week, so Molly never has to lift a finger at home.
They spend little time together Michael disappears into work most of the day. They take two holidays a year, go to the theatre a couple of times, and attend birthday parties for his mates.
At one of those parties Molly meets Michaels friend, Andrew.
Ah, theres the one who finally snagged you, Andrew chuckles, eyeing Molly. Otherwise youd be shouting Im not getting married, one times enough!
Michael was married long ago and divorced even longer ago. He and his ex never had children, and a child never appeared on his horizon.
Show some skill! Andrew teases, and Molly looks him straight in the eye.
That night they both sense the spark could become something more, but they dont see each other again for two months.
Andrew calls and asks Molly out. She doesnt refuse Michael is constantly swamped, and shes bored as usual. They skip the clichéd dances with flowers and sweets, and by the second date theyre in a hotel, enjoying a night together.
A wealthy, generous husband. A cheeky, fun lover. No worries! Worth waiting for, Molly thinks, satisfied.
Their happiness lasts a year, then Molly discovers shes pregnant.
At first she tries to keep seeing Andrew, but the meetings fade. You cant stroll around with a big belly, and she feels its time to be a proper wife and mother for Michaels sake.
Emily is born healthy and on time. Michael gifts Molly an expensive necklace and hires a nanny to help. Molly assumes the nanny will be a relief, but three months after the birth she starts dating Andrew again, and Michael spots them.
Dont you ever set foot in my house again tomorrow! Michael shouts.
You still cant get a divorce from me, Molly repeats, tears flashing. And look youll never see your daughter again!
Come on, say it again right here, Michael sneers. Id advise you not to run off, or youll end up naked and broke.
She looks at him, realises he means business.
What can she do? At least the exhusband has let them stay in a flat with Emily and still sends some money. The sums are modest compared to what she spent before, but Molly endures them, hoping Michael will come round and theyll reunite, so she doesnt provoke him.
Her hope crumbles when, two months after the divorce, she spots Michael strolling with a gorgeous brunette in skyhigh heels.
What, youve already found a replacement? Molly blurts. Ah, so youd been cheating all along and used this as an excuse to split!
Stop it, Michael snarls. Youre better off not meddling, and I wont let you insult my new wife.
Wife?! Molly chokes on her fury.
The brunette doesnt even glance at her, and Michael offers no reply. Molly is left standing alone on the pavement, stunned.
Andrew, fresh from a threemonth worktrip, hears her rant and offers a place to stay. At least youll show everyone youre not a discarded rag! he says, his pockets full and his treatment of her kind.
For the next two years Molly lives decently, except she constantly hears news of Michaels booming business. His company thrives, and his new wife Olivia, his deputy always appears by his side, smiling.
The sight gnaws at Molly, and she turns to the bottle. First an evening glass of wine, then a couple of glasses at lunch.
Youre getting drunk, Andrew frowns.
One more and Ill be fine, Molly snaps, launching into a massive scene over some trivial matter.
Andrew tolerates her for two more years, then finally kicks her out. Theres no marriage to fight for, so he walks away. Molly cant return to her mother, so she rents a room and finally gets back to work. The change and lack of cash sober her up, and she stops drinking daily.
Andrew used to call Emily my little girl a hint that he might be her father but after they split he shows little interest, tossing occasional cash.
Molly needs more. She refuses to live in poverty. She tries to claim higher child support from Michael, but he brushes her off.
Be grateful you get anything, Michael snaps. Im not even sure Emily is my daughter. I cant prove it
fuck! Molly hangs up, wiping the curse from her lips.
When Emily turns eight, fate deals a cruel hand Michael dies in a car crash.
It feels wrong to rejoice at a mans death, but for Molly it means she and Emily will never lack anything.
She knows Michaels estate better than he did. The inheritance must be split with Olivia, but even half would be a tidy sum.
Shall we settle amicably or head to court? Molly asks, waiting two weeks after the funeral before confronting the widow.
Olivia doesnt pretend ignorance.
Ive prepared a copy just for you, she smirks. Enjoy. Michael left everything to me.
No way Molly gasps at the twist. Hes still young how could there be a will?
He was young and clever thats all.
Well see, Molly threatens, and leaves.
She drains her meagre savings and visits a solicitor, who tells her she can claim a childs share by law.
Armed with that, Molly confronts Olivia outside her office.
You never stop pestering me, Olivia sighs. Fine, Ill give you a onebed flat in a new development. I dont know why Michael bought it, but I dont like it anyway.
A onebed flat?! Molly laughs. Do you think I dont know Michael owned half a dozen apartments, two country houses, three cars and?
Dont open your mouth about it, Olivia cuts her off.
Ill fight! I wont let my child be shortchanged! Emily is Michaels daughter and shes entitled by law!
Youre a proper lunatic, Olivia says with a grudging tone. Impossible to pretend otherwise.
Molly falls silent, realizing Olivias confidence isnt baseless.
Emily is Andrews daughter, the widow mutters. Dont believe me? Ask him yourself. She then hops into her car and drives off.
As Molly processes the shock, Andrew walks in.
What are you doing here? Molly asks, suspicious.
I work here now, he admits reluctantly. My business collapsed, so Ive taken a job. What about you? Did you see Olivia?
Is that true about Emily?
Of course, Andrew says without blinking. Did you really think Id raise someone elses kid? I ran a DNA test
So youll have to admit youre the father, he adds.
Molly is left stunned, once again.
She decides to accept the onebed flat at least it steadies her finances and lets the future sort itself out.
