Darling, youre getting old! Im ashamed to bring you to my business partners, so Ive got myself a lover, Simon blurted out.
Lately Emilys been swamped. Shed finally opened her own bespoke tailoring shop in Shoreditch, pouring every spare minute into getting it off the ground and shining under the London sun. Then she remembered the charity gala that her husband had mentioned in passing the one happening tonight and a spark of hope lit up.
Simon told her she didnt have to go. He said he understood how busy she was and would turn up alone, but he also warned that treating the family like an afterthought wasnt right. Emily rang the event manager and explained that she couldnt make it; the evening was already jam-packed with work and she needed to look the part.
She drew a warm bath, tossed in some scented oils, and let the citrus and pine aromas wash over her. As she closed her eyes, her phone buzzed on the edge of the tub. She slipped out of the foam, wiped her hands on the towel hanging nearby, and answered.
Hey, mum! Lucys voice sang through the speaker. She was studying abroad and Emily missed her like crazy. Cant wait to hug you again youll always be my little girl, no matter how grownup you get.
Hi love! I saw the news about your boutique brilliant work. Does Simon brag about you? I was amazed when you sent me the link. How do you juggle everything, even helping dad?
Emily smiled. I didnt want to spill the beans early, but the shops finally open and orders are already coming in. Ive always wanted to try something creative. Honestly, the business Simon and I built together felt suffocating. I dreamed of a place where I could let my imagination run wild, and now its happening.
They chatted about the weather, then Lucy hurried off to her university. Shed been on an exchange and would be back in six months. Emily felt a warm glow thinking about how lucky she was to have such a supportive family. The feeling stayed with her all the way to the restaurant where the charity dinner was being held.
At the entrance, a burly security guard blocked her. Sorry, maam, we cant let you in without an invitation.
Then call my husband. Hes got a twoperson pass, Emily replied, rolling her eyes at the rude tone.
Whats his surname? the guard asked.
Simon Bennett, she said, trying to keep her cool. The guard checked the list, exchanged a glance with his mate, and started chuckling.
Youre mistaken, madam. Simon Bennett already entered with his wife, he said.
What? He already came in with his wife? Emily stared, bewildered.
The list says hes already here with his spouse. Its a private event, and unless youre a journalist we didnt invite, you cant get past us.
Just then a smooth, velvety voice called from behind, Anton, whats going on?
Emily turned and nearly fainted it was her old schoolmate Dmitri, who she hadnt seen in years. Dmitri? I didnt expect to run into you here! she exclaimed, pointing at the confused guard. They think my husbands already in, so they wont let me in.
Dmitri gave a warm smile, nodded at the guards, and said, Shes with me.
Emily was at a loss for words. Shed meant to surprise Simon, not call him ahead. Had he, like Dmitri, been let in on a separate invitation? She didnt even know what to say to a classmate she hadnt spoken to since teenage years. Dmitri had always been the underachiever, sent to the headmaster for misbehaviour; she never imagined hed end up in a position to help her now.
How are things? Youve married well, I see, Dmitri asked, still grinning.
We all started from the bottom, you know. Now I run my own tailoring business. If you ever need a custom suit, just give me a shout, Emily replied, handing over her card.
Inside, she scanned the room for Simon. And you? Did you finally live up to the teachers expectations? she teased.
Who cares about their expectations? Grades dont decide everything, Dmitri replied modestly. Youre still as gorgeous as ever. Its lovely to bump into you unexpectedly.
Back in school, Dmitri had once asked Emily out, but shed been too careerfocused to think about romance. Shed thrown herself into her studies, landed a degree, and drifted away from old friends. Now, seeing him again felt oddly comforting.
When Emily finally spotted Simon, she thanked Dmitri again and hurried over. Simon beamed, My wife is my biggest inspiration, he announced proudly, making Emilys heart flutter for a split second. Then, as if on cue, he pulled a younger woman into his arms and planted a kiss on her cheek.
Emily, want a drink? he asked, eyes still on his new companion.
Emily stared, feeling as if the floor had dropped out from under her. What? Youve brought someone else? Who does he think he is? she thought, fury bubbling.
I dont mind, she said coolly, standing a few metres away from the flirtatious pair.
Simon glanced around, his face turning pale. He cleared his throat, apologized to his guests, and turned to the woman beside him the mistress, a strikingly beautiful girl a few years older than his daughter.
Youre here to support your husband? Simon whispered to Emily. You said this was an important event.
Emily shrugged, looking at the womans heels clicking on the marble. You didnt want me here, did you?
Dont be here! Simon snapped, his gaze flicking to the mistress. Emily, step aside.
He tugged Emily by the elbow, dragging her toward the garden. Once they were a safe distance away, he glared at her. You could have ruined everything. I didnt invite you.
You brought someone else instead, Emily retorted, her voice trembling.
The night spiraled into a bitter argument. Simon, desperate to keep up appearances, tried to justify his actions. Youre old, Emily! Im ashamed to show you to my partners, so I got a younger woman. In our circles a wife should sparkle, not look like a tired horse. Youve done your part, just fine.
Emily felt a cold wave of disappointment. Of course she looks lovely. She doesnt have to worry about annual reports or where to invest to stay afloat. Shes a perfect choice, Simon.
Simon just shook his head. Twenty years together, and you think Ive only ever had one? Its normal. It wont affect anything in the future. Just leave quietly; Ill be home soon and well talk.
There was nothing left to discuss. Emily decided she wasnt going to stay in a pictureperfect marriage just because thats what everyone else did. Shed earned her business from scratch, and shed claim every penny she deserved. Shed had enough of broken promises.
Simon left, and Emily sank onto a bench under a dim streetlamp, trying to process everything. Dmitri slipped down beside her, silent but comforting. He didnt pry, just let his presence ease her mind. They laughed about old school mischiefs, and for a moment Emily felt like that carefree teenager again, before the weight of adulthood settled back in.
I always wanted to grow up, but now I wish I could go back to school, she sighed.
I get it, Dmitri replied. If you ever need a hand, just say the word. I can even give you a lift home.
Emily knew shed built her own life, a thriving boutique, and a house of her own. Shed never relied on a husband to pay the bills. When her daughter Lucy was born, Emily spent nights poring over accounts, supporting Simons ideas, and now she was burnt out.
She said goodbye to Dmitri at his car and walked back to the place that had once felt like home but now felt foreign. She decided Lucy was old enough to handle whatever news she might get about a split, so she kept her plans quiet for now. Simon had never wanted a divorce, but Emily knew she needed space.
Your wife is just a nice picture for the business, Simon had once said. Were not swimming in money, are we? Emily snapped back. Think about Lucy. A divorce will crush her. Do you even care now?
Its too late youre thinking about her, Simon muttered.
Theyd been sleeping in separate rooms for months. Emily planned to move into a flat next door to her shop, tired of sharing a roof with a man whod betrayed her. Simon fought the divorce fiercely, but the lawyers eventually split everything evenly. Lucy, hearing the argument, sided with her mother, refusing to visit her father. She even started helping in the boutique, cutting ties with the man whod cheated her.
Emilys life gradually steadied. Letting go of twenty years wasnt easy, but she kept moving. The boutique thrived, orders flooded in, and soon she had to think about expanding. One day the phone rang.
Its Dmitri. You gave me your card for a suit, right?
Hey, Dim. Were swamped, but Ill make an exception for you, Emily laughed.
Honestly, I just called to see if youd like to meet for coffee, he said.
She agreed, thinking maybe this was a fresh start. Time was short, but shed learned to love herself first. The past was behind her, and she felt ready for whatever came next.
