Let Him Go: “Darling, he’s had dozens just like you,” sneered the stranger, locking eyes with Veronica. Let me guess—you’re dreaming of a wedding already, aren’t you? Well, let me crush those hopes—the wedding isn’t happening… Let Maxim go and never stand in my way again, or you’ll regret it. I promise you! *** Veronica was born and raised in London; she and her older sister were given a proper start in life by their parents—each received a flat for their eighteenth birthday. She believed her parents had already fulfilled their duty: an education, a home. Now it was up to her to forge her own path. Straight after starting university, Veronica got a job and never once asked her parents for money again. Her early independence taught her to handle problems herself. Her parents didn’t know half of what truly went on in her life. When she met Max, Veronica decided not to involve her family in her new relationship—at least, not yet. For the past two years, there was some tension with her mother. Vera, newly retired, suddenly longed for grandchildren, desperate to dote on Veronica’s future children. “Sweetheart,” Vera would note every visit, “Julia already has a little one—when will you finally have kids?” Her older sister’s example was not inspiring: Julia married at nineteen, had a son right away, and dropped out of school. Seven years on, Julia had become a stay-at-home mum Veronica found hard to talk to. Veronica wasn’t rushing; she had her own plans: marriage closer to 30, a child by 35, when her finances would be solid enough for her to take three years’ maternity leave without worry. She was used to relying only on herself. Her mother disagreed: “You’ve got the wrong mindset! It’s a man’s job to provide. Your job is to find the right one, marry him, and have a child—nothing else matters!” “Mum,” Veronica would patiently reply, “look at Julia. She’s totally dependent on her husband and always asking for extra money—or turning to you when he refuses. I don’t want that, and I never will. Serge, for all his cheek, lives in her flat and still lays down the law!” “That’s how it is, with everyone,” insisted Vera. “Your dad and I did the same—straight from one baby to the next. I was at home for eight years, and we managed fine.” “You married Dad for love,” replied Veronica, “and I want the same. I haven’t met a man I love enough to have a child with. I’m not marrying just anyone, like Julia.” *** Veronica met Max just as she’d planned—a few months before her thirtieth birthday. He was charming, modern, and respected her independence. She wasn’t in a hurry. After a year of dating, neither brought up marriage. That didn’t bother her until her friend Viola asked: “Are you sure he’s serious? My Victor proposed after three months—yours has kept you waiting a year! Have you met his parents? His friends? Maybe he’s hiding you—maybe there’s someone else?” Veronica wondered: Why hasn’t Max ever tried to take things to the next level? They met a few times per week, always at her place, and Max rarely stayed overnight. Testing the waters, Veronica said, “I realised I hardly know anything about your family!” “What do you want to know?” he replied calmly. “Anything, really. Your parents? Brothers or sisters? What do they do?” “They’re both retired. Only child. Is that enough?” “And children?” asked Veronica bluntly. Max looked nervous. “No kids, and seriously, what’s with the cross-examination?” “Just curiosity,” Veronica smiled. “Actually, after a year together, I thought we could finally meet each other’s parents.” Max dodged the topic, worrying Veronica even more. Was Viola right? But soon after, Max suggested meeting his friends at a weekend getaway. Veronica agreed and found his friends lovely—though it was odd every man there, thirty-five to forty-five, was single and unmarried. “Are all your friends bachelors?” she asked Max. He laughed. “Seems so. Now, ready to meet your parents?” Veronica quickly arranged a dinner. “Mum, Dad, meet my future husband!” Vera was delighted, peppering Veronica with questions about Max—work, age, living situation. Veronica hesitated, realising she didn’t know where Max lived. He’d never invited her in a year. “Mum, you can ask him yourself. We’re coming by tomorrow. Is that okay?” “Perfect! We’ll reschedule everything for this!” The meeting went splendidly—her parents adored Max. Veronica learned more about him too: he had his own two-bedroom flat in central London. She was happy, ready for the next step—meeting Max’s family. But a surprise visit changed everything… *** One night, Max called Veronica to say: “Don’t wait up. Big client meeting tonight—can’t miss this one. See you tomorrow?” No problem, Veronica replied. But as she was getting ready for bed, the doorbell rang. Expecting Max, she opened the door to a beautiful brunette. “Can I help you?” Veronica asked. “I think you can,” the woman smiled coldly. “May I come in? We need to talk.” Veronica stepped aside and let her in. After a long silence, Veronica asked, “Are you looking for someone?” “I am, darling. I wanted to see the woman brazen enough to break up another woman’s family and steal a father from his children.” Veronica’s heart stopped—she knew who this was. The woman continued, “I usually let my husband have his fun. We’ve been married sixteen years, you know. But you? You’ve lasted a year. That’s a threat. To find out who you were, I even hired a detective. Veronica, I’m asking you—please leave my husband alone.” “You can understand—I won’t just hand over the man I’ve built a life with. And if he has to choose, believe me, he won’t choose you.” “The law firm Max works for? It’s my father’s. Everything he’s got is thanks to us. Don’t ruin your life, be smart.” She left. Veronica broke down in tears and called Max. “You’re married! You have two children! Why did you lie to me? Your wife told me everything!” “We’ll talk later. I’m busy,” said Max and hung up. After that, Veronica never reached him again. She tried every number, even borrowed phones—but he’d changed his details. The breakup was brutal. Veronica never told her parents the truth—she simply explained she’d left him because their characters clashed. It took over a year and a half before she could accept a new man’s attention.

– Leave him alone.

My dear, youre only one of many, spat the unknown woman, staring directly into Emilys eyes.

Let me guess: youre already dreaming about a wedding, arent you?

Allow me to disappoint youthere wont be a wedding

Let Tom go and never cross my path again, or youll seriously regret it. Thats a promise!

***
Emily was born and raised in London. Her parents, generous and practical, gave her and her older sister a decent start in life: each received a flat for their eighteenth birthday.

Emily believed she had all she needed from Mum and Dadan education and a roof over her head. After that, it was up to her to carve her own path.

She got a job the moment she started at university and never once asked her parents for money.

Such early independence taught Emily to solve her own problems. Her parents didnt know half of what went on in her life.

When she met Tom, she decided not to share much with her family straight away.

For the past two years, Emily and her mum had a slight rift. Since retiring, Margaret had set her sights on being a grandmother, keen to dote on her youngests children.

Love, her mother often sighed, Sophs already got a little one. When are you planning to start a family?

Emily was wary. Her older sister Sophia had married at nineteen, had a son right away, and dropped out of university.

Seven years down the road, Sophia was a seasoned stay-at-home mum. Emily found their conversations dullshe didnt want that for herself.

She had her own plans. Emily wanted to marry near thirty, have a child closer to thirty-five, and only then, on a stable financial footing, take time off work without worry.

She never fancied depending on anyone.

Margaret, however, disapproved of her daughters approach.

Your thinkings all wrong! A man provides for the family. You simply find the right one, marry him, and have a child. Thats it! You shouldnt bother yourself with anything else.

Mum, Emily replied calmly, look at Soph. Whats good about her being completely dependent on James?

Shes always pestering him for pocket money, and if he wont hand it over, shes turning to you. I dont want any part of that.

I refuse to depend on anyone! James is cheeky as wellhe lives in her flat and still bossed her about!

Emily, everyone does it. Your dad and I were the same. I was at home for eight years, out of one maternity leave and into anotherand we managed.

Thing is, Mum, you married Dad for love. I want that too! I just havent met a man I actually want to have a family with. And Im not going to settle, like Soph did.

***
Emily met Tom at just the right moment, two months before her thirtieth birthdayas planned.

He immediately swept her off her feet: charming, witty, genuinely modern. He never expected her to be subservient and believed in equality.

Emily let things unfold naturally, at their own pace.

***
They dated for almost a year. Neither brought up marriage, which suited Emily at firstuntil she chatted with her friend, Lily.

It was Lilys single question that planted the seed of doubt:

Are you sure hes serious about you? My Harry proposed after three months, and yours has dragged it out for a year.

Have you met his family? His friends? Maybe hes hiding you away because theres someone else more official?

For the first time, Emilys confidence wavered. Why wasnt Tom showing any signs of moving things forward?

Theyd meet a couple times a week at her place; Tom rarely stayed the night.

Emily decided to ask a bit more about his life.

I realised I know almost nothing about your family! she said one evening.

What do you want to know? Tom replied.

Well, at least somethingWho are your parents? Got any siblings? What do they do?

Theyre both retired. No siblingsjust me, Tom replied, nonchalantly. Satisfied your curiosity?

Do you have kids? Emily asked outright.

Tom suddenly grew uncomfortable, his expression giving everything away.

No, no children, he assured her hastily. Whats all this? Why the interrogation?

Nothings wrong. I just want to get to know you better. Actually, Tom, I was going to suggest we meet each others parents. Weve been together a yearits time.

Tom dodged the question, shifting to another topic.

Emily began to suspect Lily might be right and pressed Tom more frequently to introduce her to his family.

Eventually, with Emilys insistence growing, Tom relented:

Alright, fine. Well start with friends first. This weekend, my mates having everyone over at his place in the country. Youll fit right in. What do you say?

***
Emily agreedand was glad she did. Toms friends and their partners were friendly and welcoming.

One thing puzzled herall the men there, aged thirty-five to forty-five, were single. Not a wedding band in sight.

Emily asked Tom, Are all your friends bachelors? Not a single one is married?

Looks like it, Tom chuckled. Funny how that worked out. So, round ones donewhen are we meeting your parents?

Emily organised it quickly and visited her parents the following weekend.

Mum, Dad, I want you to meet my future husband.

At last, Margaret breathed, We were wondering when youd settle down! Go on: who is he? What does he do? How old is he?

Not so fast, Emily laughed. His names Tom, hes a solicitor, thirty-four.

What about his living situation? Margaret asked.

Emily hesitatedshed never actually been to Toms place, nor knew if he lived alone or with family.

Youll have to ask him yourself, she said. If we stop by tomorrow, is that alright?

Of course, love! For this, well drop anything. Just let us know when.

The meeting went smoothlyher parents were clearly charmed by Tom.

He relaxed easily, joked with them, and fielded all their questions confidently.

Emily learned plenty herself that night: it turned out Tom owned his own two-bedroom flat in the heart of London, living independently.

Emily was overjoyed. One more milestone reachedsoon, she thought, wedding bells would ring.

But they never arranged to meet Toms parentsan unexpected visitor would shatter Emilys plans

***
One night, Tom rang to say:

Dont wait up tonight. Big meeting with a clientlots of money at stake. I cant afford to miss this. Tomorrow, okay?

Alright, darling. Good luck! Emily replied.

She was about to go to bed when the doorbell rang.

Expecting Tom, she happily opened the door, only to find a striking woman with dark hair standing there.

Hello. Can I help you? Emily asked.

Oh yes, you can, the stranger smiled thinly. May I come in? We need to talk.

Of course, Emily replied, stepping aside.

They stood in silence for a while, until Emily broke the tension.

Are you looking for someone?

Yes, I am. You, in fact. I wanted to look into the eyes of the woman trying to tear my family apart and take the father from my two children.

Emilys heart pounded. In an instant, she realised who this was.

The woman continued, Usually I allow my husband his little adventures. After sixteen years of marriage, things do lose their shine. Normally, his affairs last months at most. But with you, its been a year.

I didnt want to admit you might threaten my family. I had to hire a private detective to see who my husbands been spending his time with. Emily, Im asking you to leave my husband alone.

You understand Im not giving up a husband of almost twenty years without a fight. If he must choose, believe me, he wont pick you.

This law firm Tom works formy father owns it. In fact, everything Tom has is thanks to him. Be smart, and dont ruin your own life.

With that, the woman left. Emily burst into tears and immediately dialed Toms number.

When he answered, she shouted, Youre married! Youve got two children! Why did you lie to me for so long? Your wife came round and told me everything!

Well talk later, Im busy, Tom replied and hung up.

Emily never reached him again.

Tom had likely changed his numbershe tried every means possible: friends, family, colleagues.

The heartbreak took Emily a long time to overcome. She never told her parents the truth, simply said shed left a successful solicitor because they didnt get along.

It took a year and a half before Emily finally felt ready to accept the interest of a new man.

***
Some lessons are learnt the hard way. For Emily, it was a reminder that no matter how well we plan, life can take unexpected detoursand that our happiness shouldnt depend on someone elses truth, but on our own resilience and self-respect.