Michael rushed to find his wife and daughter. His thoughts were a jumbled mess.
He spotted Lily from a distance, laughing as Emily pushed her on the swings. Unlike Michael, the “new” life suited Emily. The dark circles under her eyes were gone, and a smile played on her lips. But it faded when she noticed Michael.
“Daddy…” Lily mumbled, starting to cry. “Don’t take me home! I don’t want to! I hate Ashley and won’t live with her!” she screamed, drawing attention from passersby.
“Shh, Lily. You’re going to ride the carousel now, and Mom and I will talk. If you’re a good girl, you won’t see Ashley again,” Michael said.
“Really?” Lily wiped her tears with her fists.
“Yes.”
“Will Mom come back?”
Emily frowned.
“We’ll discuss it with Mom, but without you.”
Lily had to agree. Despite her young age, she knew when things were serious.
“Come back. The kids need you,” Michael said.
“I’m not sure I want to return to that chaos,” Emily replied quietly, so only he could hear.
“But you came to see Lily. You can’t live without her.”
“That’s true. But I can’t live like before.”
“It won’t be like before. I got lost, made a mistake. I’m sorry.”
“For you, it’s that simple?”
“I’m ready to give you the apartment. I’ll live separately for now.”
“With your new woman?” Emily turned away, pained by the topic.
“I think I’ll be alone. Ashley’s not who I thought she was. She’s not cut out to be a wife or mother to the kids.”
Emily barely restrained herself from lashing out. His words were true but deeply hurtful. He’d implied she was a convenient wife, nothing more.
“That’s enough. We’re done.”
“So you agree?”
“Yes, to the divorce. But I’ll only take the kids once you find us a new apartment. We can’t live in the old one—it’s too… tainted,” Emily said, grimacing.
“Fine. Give me a month, I’ll handle it. I’ll cover rent for a place in the meantime.”
Michael left. Emily, calming down, decided her daughter shouldn’t suffer for her father’s mistakes and took Lily with her. She left Ethan with Michael temporarily. The boy didn’t want to move to a rental and agreed to stay without his mom, hoping his parents would reconcile. Ashley was gone for good, leaving Michael after realizing he wouldn’t spend money on her and would give the apartment to his ex-wife and kids. The move and property division dragged on, but three months later, Emily and the kids settled into a new, spacious apartment. Michael kept his promise, sold the old place, and bought a better one for the family. He rented a place nearby to see the kids often.
Michael tried to mend things with Emily, but she refused to repeat past mistakes. After living without him, the kids became calmer, less whiny, rude, or defiant. Maybe they feared their mom leaving again, or perhaps the toxic environment and Michael’s negative influence—disrespecting his wife and setting a bad example—were to blame. Plus, Emily now had time to rest when Michael took the kids. Either way, she didn’t regret the divorce. Michael, however, did, left with little but the dog.