He still hadnt arrived. Lately, hed been swamped with work and staying late more often.
Olivia tucked the children into bed and headed to the kitchen for a cup of tea. Edward still wasnt home. These days, he had so much on his plate that he often worked late.
She hated seeing him so worn out and tried to shield him from household worriesafter all, he was the familys sole breadwinner. After they married, they agreed Olivia would look after the home and their future children while Edward provided financially. They had three kids in quick succession. Edward adored each one and often joked he wasnt stopping there.
But Olivia was exhausted from endless childcare and decided to pause on having more.
Edward stumbled in well past midnight, slightly tipsy. When she asked why, he grinned.
“Liv, we were all swamped at the office, so the lads and I went for a quick pint to unwind.”
“Oh, you poor thing!” Olivia smiled. “Come on, Ill fix you something to eat.”
“Dont bother. We had nibbles at the pub. Ill just hit the sack.”
Mothers Day was approaching, and Olivia, after asking her mum to watch the kids, headed to the shopping centre. She wanted to celebrate properlya romantic dinner for two. Her mother happily took the children for the evening.
Aside from groceries and gifts, Olivia decided to treat herself. It had been ages since shed bought anything nice, and she felt awkward asking Edward for money just for clotheswhere would she even wear them? The last thing shed bought was a comfy house dress, hardly suitable for the evening she had in mind.
She stepped into a boutique and picked out a few dresses. As she slipped on the second one, she heard a familiar voice from the next changing room.
“Mmm, cant wait to get you out of this.”
A womans laugh followed. “Patience, you devil! Go pick something for your wife instead.”
“Why bother? Shes knee-deep in nappies and school runs. As long as she feeds the kids, she could wear a bin bag for all they care. Ill just get her a kettle or a blenderthatll make her happy!”
Olivia felt as if shed been doused in icy water. Silently, she kept trying on clothes while the conversation drifted through the thin wall.
“What if she asks where all your moneys going? A kettle or blender doesnt cost that much” the woman teased.
“Why should I explain how I spend MY money? I work, and she sits at home doing whatever she likes! I give her the housekeepingshe should be grateful!”
The fitting session must have ended because the voices faded. Olivia peeked out carefully. There was Edward, at the till with a blonde, paying for their purchases. He kissed her right there, ignoring the shop assistants disapproving glance.
“Are you alright, miss?” the assistant asked, noticing Olivia still frozen in the changing room.
“Yes, fine!” she blurted, handing over the dresses. “Ill take them all.”
Back home, after her mother left and the children were napping, Olivia sat thinking. She hadnt expected betrayal like this from Edward. Worse than the infidelity was how little he valued everything she did for their family.
Part of her wanted to bolt straight to a solicitor, but she forced herself to stay calm and think it through.
“If I divorce him, hell swan off with his blonde, leaving me with the kids and no income. Child support? Pennies. How would we live?”
That night, Edward didnt stay late “working.” “Mustve had his fill earlier,” Olivia thought coldly. Any love shed felt for him was gonehe was a stranger now. The only thing she dreaded was him wanting intimacy; the idea repulsed her.
But Edward, apparently satisfied, didnt come near her.
The next morning, Olivia dusted off her CV and sent it off to agencies and firms. Now, she waited. Days dragged by, each starting with a hopeful check of her emails. Finally, a reply camean interview at one of the citys companies. Ironically, it was Edwards workplace. After much deliberation, she decided to go.
With her mother watching the kids again, Olivia headed to the interview. After nearly two hours of chatting with management, they offered her a decent role with flexible hours. The pay wasnt huge at first, but it was enough to support her and the children.
She returned home glowing. Her mother, noticing her mood, pressed for details.
“Mum, Edwards cheating on me!” Olivia blurted, half-laughing with relief. Convinced her daughter was hysterical, her mother sat her down, trying to soothe her.
“Olivia, love, how can you say that? Edward? Cheat? Hes always at work!”
“Hes not workinghes with his mistress!” Olivia spilled everything shed overheard. Her mother listened, then asked quietly,
“What will you do now?”
“Im divorcing him. And yes, Ive got a job with flexi-hours. Soon, Ill enrol the kids in nursery, and once theyre settled, Ill go full-time.”
“Well, good for you! No one should stand for that. And he doesnt respect you anymore. Ill help with the kids.”
“Thanks, Mum,” Olivia hugged her tightly.
On the 7th of March, Edward came home late again. Olivia didnt pester him, but he, unnerved by her indifference, tried to explain.
“Liv, work was mad again”
She cut him off. “Just go to bed.”
The next morning, as she served the children breakfast, Edward presented her with a gifta blender.
“Here, love, to make things easier.” He leaned in for a kiss, but Olivia stepped back, ignoring the box.
“Ive got a gift for you too.”
Puzzled, Edward followed her to the hallway, where two large suitcases waited.
“Im filing for divorce. No more excusesyoure free to go.”
“How did you?” he stammered.
“In the changing room, while you were picking out gifts for your blonde. You can give her the blender tooI dont need it.”
Shock turned to fury.
“Jealous, are you? That Ive got a proper woman who takes care of herself, unlike you! Youve forgotten what makeup even isjust a drudge living off me and the kids! Its MY moneyIll spend it how I like! You just cant stand me spoiling someone else, you selfish cow!”
“Im not jealous,” Olivia said calmly. “Now leave.”
The next day, she filed for divorce and child support. A week later, the doorbell rangEdwards mother, livid.
“Gold-digger! You threw him out and now youre milking him? Drop the child supporthe doesnt owe you a thing!”
“Hes not paying mehes paying for his children, the ones he wanted,” Olivia shot back. “If he cant afford his mistress anymore, thats his problem. These are his kids too.”
“Whatll you do without his money? You had those babies thinking youd live off him forever! But it wont workhell get his wages adjusted, and youll get scraps! Youll come crawling back!”
“Doubt it,” Olivia said, pointing at the door. “Get out before I call the police.”
Cursing, the woman left.
Months passed. All the children started nursery. A month after the youngest settled in, Olivia went full-time at work.
“Hi,” a familiar voice said by her desk. “Can we talk?”
“Sorry, Edward. Im busy,” she replied without looking up.
“Lunch, maybe?” He wouldnt leave.
Olivia finally glanced up. Her ex looked tired, unkempt. Rumor had it his blonde left when half his salary went to child support. But none of that mattered now.
“No, Edward. We wont talk. And we certainly wont have lunch.”
