In the swirling mists of this odd dream, “Emma, it’s all over between us!” Michael declared with a voice like frozen fog. “I crave a real family and children. You cannot provide that. I’ve filed the divorce papers. You have three days to gather your belongings. If you leave, send me a sign. I’ll stay at my mother’s until the flat is ready for the child and its mother. Yes, do not be surprised, my new love is expecting! Three days, Emma!”
Emma lingered in silence, feeling the floorboards melt into trickling sand that slipped away beneath her. What reply could she form? Five years they had tried for a child, but three hopes had faded into loss. The healers had sworn she was whole, yet something always faltered. Emma kept a steady life, and during those times she grew twice as watchful. Last, she swooned at her desk, and the rescue carriage never arrived soon enough…
The door slammed behind Michael, and Emma, spent, sank onto the sofa. She had no strength left to bundle anything. Where might she wander? Before the marriage, she had stayed with her aunt, but the aunt had gone, and the place was sold by her cousin. Return to the village of Ashford, to grandmother’s house? Seek a rental? And her work? Questions spun in her thoughts like drifting clouds, yet the moments passed.
As dawn bent strangely in this vision, the door opened, and the mother-in-law Margaret stepped in.
“Not resting? Good that you are not,” she said in a clipped tone. “I’ve come to check you take nothing that isn’t yours.”
“I don’t plan to claim your son’s worn socks,” Emma frowned. “Do you wish to count my things?”
“Such cheek! You were once so mild. I told Michael after the first pregnancy that you would never birth a child.”
“Is that why you came? Then stay quiet and watch.”
“Why are you taking the tea set?” Margaret fretted.
“It’s mine, from my aunt, a memory of her.”
“It will feel empty here without it!”
“Not my trouble. But at least you’ll have a grandson.”
“Take only what belongs to you!”
“The laptop, the coffee maker, and the microwave were gifts from colleagues. The car I bought before the wedding. Your son has his.”
“You have all you need, but you cannot make children!”
“It’s none of your business. It seems that’s how fate chose.”
“Don’t you regret it? Maybe you did it on purpose?”
“You speak nonsense. I cannot even think of it without pain.”
Emma looked aroundthe her items had faded like morning dew. The brush, the cosmetics, the slippers… She had forgotten something key. Margaret’s presence itched at her. She recalled the cat figurine, a keepsake from her grandmother. Inside hid a secret spot with earrings and a ringnot costly, but close to her heart. Michael had called it junk. Had he tossed it? Emma opened the balcony.
“What do you hunt for there?” Margaret’s voice echoed oddly. “Come, take your things and go!”
She found the cat, all still whole. Now she could leave.
“Here are the keys, goodbye. I hope we never meet again.”
Emma went to the office. She was on medical leave, but asked for time away.
“We stand with you,” the manager said. “But it’s hard without you. Will three weeks do? Remain on leave.”
Emma closed her eyes and felt Paul’s hand squeeze hers gently, knowing that after so much pain, her new life was only just beginning to unfold.In the swirling mists of this odd dream, “Emma, it’s all over between us!” Michael declared with a voice like frozen fog. “I crave a real family and children. You cannot provide that. I’ve filed the divorce papers. You have three days to gather your belongings. If you leave, send me a sign. I’ll stay at my mother’s until the flat is ready for the child and its mother. Yes, do not be surprised, my new love is expecting! Three days, Emma!”
Emma lingered in silence, feeling the floorboards melt into trickling sand that slipped away beneath her. What reply could she form? Five years they had tried for a child, but three hopes had faded into loss. The healers had sworn she was whole, yet something always faltered. Emma kept a steady life, and during those times she grew twice as watchful. Last, she swooned at her desk, and the rescue carriage never arrived soon enough…
The door slammed behind Michael, and Emma, spent, sank onto the sofa. She had no strength left to bundle anything. Where might she wander? Before the marriage, she had stayed with her aunt, but the aunt had gone, and the place was sold by her cousin. Return to the village of Ashford, to grandmother’s house? Seek a rental? And her work? Questions spun in her thoughts like drifting clouds, yet the moments passed.
As dawn bent strangely in this vision, the door opened, and the mother-in-law Margaret stepped in.
“Not resting? Good that you are not,” she said in a clipped tone. “I’ve come to check you take nothing that isn’t yours.”
“I don’t plan to claim your son’s worn socks,” Emma frowned. “Do you wish to count my things?”
“Such cheek! You were once so mild. I told Michael after the first pregnancy that you would never birth a child.”
“Is that why you came? Then stay quiet and watch.”
“Why are you taking the tea set?” Margaret fretted.
“It’s mine, from my aunt, a memory of her.”
“It will feel empty here without it!”
“Not my trouble. But at least you’ll have a grandson.”
“Take only what belongs to you!”
“The laptop, the coffee maker, and the microwave were gifts from colleagues. The car I bought before the wedding. Your son has his.”
“You have all you need, but you cannot make children!”
“It’s none of your business. It seems that’s how fate chose.”
“Don’t you regret it? Maybe you did it on purpose?”
“You speak nonsense. I cannot even think of it without pain.”
Emma looked aroundthe her items had faded like morning dew. The brush, the cosmetics, the slippers… She had forgotten something key. Margaret’s presence itched at her. She recalled the cat figurine, a keepsake from her grandmother. Inside hid a secret spot with earrings and a ringnot costly, but close to her heart. Michael had called it junk. Had he tossed it? Emma opened the balcony.
“What do you hunt for there?” Margaret’s voice echoed oddly. “Come, take your things and go!”
She found the cat, all still whole. Now she could leave.
“Here are the keys, goodbye. I hope we never meet again.”
Emma went to the office. She was on medical leave, but asked for time away.
“We stand with you,” the manager said. “But it’s hard without you. Will three weeks do? Remain on leave.”
Emma closed her eyes and felt Paul’s hand squeeze hers gently, knowing that after so much pain, her new life was only just beginning to unfold.
