“Let Him Go, Please”
“Where are you off to so late, Edward?” asked Emily, watching her husband hastily button his shirt.
The clock showed half past seven in the evening. Edward didnt even glance at her as he continued gathering his things.
“The projects falling apart at work. They called me in urgently,” he muttered over his shoulder, snatching his coat from the rack. “Dont wait upgo to bed.”
Lately, these sudden calls had become frequent. A quiet unease had settled in Emilys chest, though she did her best to ignore it.
“Again? This is the third time this week,” she said, trying to keep the accusation from her voice.
“Cant be helpedthats the job,” Edward finally looked at her, but his eyes were distant, empty. “Ill try not to be too late.”
The front door clicked shut. Emily stood in the empty hallway for a long moment before turning away.
“Mum, wheres Dad gone?” came a voice from the nursery. Seven-year-old Charlotte stood there, clutching a board game. “He promised to play with me tonight.”
Emily crouched to her daughters level, smoothing a hand over her shoulder. Charlottes eyes gleamed with hurt.
“Dads very busy at work, love. Theres an important project he needs to finish,” Emily said, forcing conviction into her words, though she scarcely believed them herself.
Charlotte sighed, shoulders slumping, and trudged back to her room. Emily watched her go before retreating to the kitchen.
To lift her daughters spirits, she decided to bake Charlottes favourite raisin oat biscuits. Kneading the dough, her hands moved automatically while her thoughts wandered.
The signs were all there: the late nights, the evasiveness, the growing distance. Edward no longer hugged her in the mornings or kissed her goodbye. Their conversations had dwindled to household matters and Charlottes schoolwork.
At dinner, Charlotte brightened slightly, munching warm biscuits with milk as she chattered about school. Emily nodded along, but her mind was elsewhere. After tucking Charlotte in with a bedtime story, she returned to the kitchen, scrubbing plates under hot water, the same question gnawing at hershould she confront Edward? Force the truth from him? Her chest ached at the thought: he likely had another woman. But what of Charlotte? The girl adored her father. Still, living with a liar was becoming unbearable.
Two more weeks passed. Edward grew jumpier, flinching at phone calls, hiding his screen whenever Emily entered.
Then, on a Saturday, he stayed home. They sat on the sofa watching telly while Charlotte did homework in her room. The silence was broken by Emilys ringing phonean unknown number.
“Hello?”
“Is this Emily?” asked a womans voice.
“Yes. Who is this?” Emily frowned.
“My name is Margaret Whitmore. We need to talk about something important.”
“Im sorry, I think youve got the wrong”
The woman cut in sharply.
“I havent. Im speaking to Edwards wife, arent I?”
Emily froze. From the corner of her eye, she saw Edward tense.
“Yes,” she said slowly, pressing the speakerphone button and setting the phone on the coffee table.
“Good. Im the mother of Sophiethe girl your husbands been seeing for a year,” Margaret said matter-of-factly. “My Sophies barely twenty, and Edwards her first. Shes utterly besotted. Im asking you to let him go and stop ruining my daughters life! Were civilised people, after all.”
Emily lifted her gaze to Edward. Hed gone pale.
“Sophie cries herself to sleep,” Margaret continued. “She cant be with the man she loves openly. They share something pure! You must step aside. Surely you understandyou cant force affection.”
Emily swallowed, keeping her voice steady despite the fury simmering inside.
“Thank you for telling me, Margaret. Ill see what can be done.”
She ended the call and turned to Edward, who sat gripping the armrest.
“Well, Edward? What do you have to say?” Her own calm surprised her.
“Emily, itsits all lies! A vicious fabrication!” Edward leapt up, waving his hands. “I dont know any Sophie!”
Her phone pingeda message. She opened it to photos of Edward embracing a young blonde, kissing her, holding hands in a café.
“Margaret sent proof of your devotion. Have a look,” Emily said, turning the screen toward him.
His face twisted with rage.
“Fine! Yes, its true!” he shouted. “Ive been seeing Sophie! We met at a conference, and it justhappened! What did you expect?”
Emily rose slowly, brows arched.
“And how is that my fault? Did I push you into her arms?”
“You! This is on you!” Edwards face flushed. “You stopped caring! When did you last ask about my day? Cook my favourite meal? Smile at me?”
Emily stared, incredulous. Edward barrelled on,
“If youd shown me attention, if youd cherished me, Id never have looked elsewhere! But you buried yourself in work, in chores! The house matters more than I do!”
“Hold on,” Emily raised a hand. “Does that not go both ways? Youve been cold for yearsyet I didnt run to another man!”
“Thats different!” Edward exploded. “I work! I provide! Im breaking my back for this family! Keeping the spark alive is your job!”
Emily stepped back, stunned.
“Where is that written? Show me the law! And need I remind you, I work toothen come home to cook, clean, care for Charlotte! And now Im to coddle you like a child?”
Edward faltered, silent.
Emily nodded, resolved.
“Ive suspected this for months. Now that the truths out, Ill file for divorce. Be happy with Sophie.”
“No!” Edward lunged, grabbing her hands, but she pulled away. “Therell be no divorce! Its nothing serious with Sophiejust a fling!”
“Forgive you? A fling?” Emily laughed bitterly.
“Emily, pleasewell talk properly. I cant leave this family!”
“Why not?”
“Where would I live? In the gutter?”
The words hung between them. Emilys eyes widened.
“So thats it. You stayed silent not out of guiltbut fear of losing your home.”
Edward said nothing.
“Pack your things. Now.”
She went to Charlotte, whod emerged at the shouting. Emily hugged her tightly.
“Come, darling, lets finish your homework,” she murmured, leading her away.
An hour later, Edward stood in the hallway with two suitcases, dishevelled and defeated.
“Emily, give me another chance,” he begged. “Ill make it right!”
She opened the door, gesturing outside.
“Go to Sophie. Let her comfort you, Edward. If youd betray us for her, youre welcome to her.”
He stepped out. Emily shut the door, turned the lock, and leaned against it, eyes closed. Inside, there was hollownessbut beneath it, relief. Shed endure a cheat no longer. Not for anything.
