He was in high spirits and immediately announced that there was a great opportunity for her—a business trip to New York City. Six months at one of the leading cosmetics factories, fully paid living, decent salary. And most importantly, Mia could come too, enrolling her in a local school.
Emily listened, but instead of joy, an anxious feeling grew in her. She knew it was a chance any specialist in her field dreamed of. New York—this was a level, new prospects, a chance to start another life.
But Alex immediately popped into her head. He couldn’t manage without her. He doesn’t work. He won’t even buy groceries himself. Who will take care of him? Who will monitor his medications? The answer was obvious. Emily firmly said no.
And immediately felt how heavy her soul became. She knew she was doing the right thing, but somehow it didn’t bring relief. She left the office and lingered by the window, looking at the gray, cloud-covered city.
Somewhere out there, far away, another world awaited, other opportunities. But that chance wasn’t for her. She had duties, family, responsibility.
She couldn’t abandon Alex; she simply had no right. But one day, Emily’s life turned upside down completely. She returned home in the middle of the day…
Emily had just taken off her coat when Alex peeked out from the room. «The delivery guy arrived, brought Mia’s headphones, waiting downstairs,» he said. Emily nodded mechanically, but Alex was already pulling on his jacket.
«I’ll go myself,» he tossed, went out the door, and headed to the elevator. Emily went to the kitchen. The sink was piled with dishes; her daughter hurried to school in the morning, Alex had lunch, but of course didn’t clean up after himself.
Emily took a sponge, turned on the faucet, but the pressure was too strong, and water splashes flew in all directions. A few drops hit the screen of Alex’s phone lying next to the sink. The sensor reacted, and at that moment, the phone vibrated.
A voice message from Theresa popped up. Emily wasn’t going to listen, but as she moved the phone aside, her wet fingers accidentally touched the screen, and the voice message from her mother-in-law played automatically. «Alex, I don’t understand, where are you rushing to? I don’t like this idea of yours with Isabella moving in with you at home.
I don’t like it, you understand? This will end badly for you. You’re on full support from your wife. That’s what you need to think about.»
Emily froze. «Isabella? What Isabella?» Her heart pounded in her chest, fingers froze over the soapy water. She slowly turned her head to the phone.
Two days ago was Alex’s birthday, and she gave him this new smartphone, and if she remembered correctly, Alex hadn’t set a password lock on it yet. Her hands trembled, but barely realizing what she was doing, she took the phone and opened the messenger. Emily scrolled the chat back and started listening to previous messages.
The first message was from Alex, recorded that morning. «Mom, Isabella is such a wonderful girl, I just fell in love with her. I want her to live with me.
I’ve already planned everything. Emily told me she refused the trip to New York, but I’ll do everything to convince her. I’ll say it’s our chance and her push for success in her career…
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