He stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his tie, when Emma entered the room.
“How do you like my look?” he asked with a slight smile, without taking his eyes off his reflection.
“Very stylish. You look great,” she replied reservedly.
“I always look like this,” Thomas said, clearly pleased with himself. “And are you ready for dinner?”
“Of course. I prepared your favorite dish — pasta with sauce and a salad.”
During dinner, Thomas noticed that Emma was barely eating.
“Why aren’t you eating?” he asked.
“I’m not in the mood,” she shrugged.
Maybe it’s for the best. You need to stay in shape. You know the wife of a director has to be presentable. And you… you’re not quite the same as you used to be.”
Emma felt a tightness in her chest but said nothing. She knew all too well that arguing with him would lead nowhere.
“Anyway, I’m going to the party alone,” he added casually.
“But you said yourself that this time you would definitely take me with you…”
“I changed my mind. I’ll just say you’re tired. Honestly, it’ll be easier for me without you. You’re too clumsy.”
Emma silently finished her salad and went to another room. She looked out the window at the children playing in the yard and thought about how much everything had changed. Just a few years ago, she had dreamed of a big family, of a house filled with laughter. But Thomas had always found a reason to postpone the idea of children — sometimes it was his career, sometimes money.
She had given up her job to support him and create a warm home. But there was no gratitude. Thomas treated her as something obvious — a convenient part of his life.
A week passed. Emma secretly attended a job interview at a large company. She hadn’t expected the new position to be within the same holding company where Thomas worked. But she succeeded — she was hired.
At the company party, Thomas was, as usual, picking out a tie, expecting Emma to help him choose the better one. But she only said:
“Maybe you should smoke less. Your face has gotten pale.”
He fell silent. It was unlike her. She had always supported him.
“What’s going on with you, Emma? You’re different,” he said, irritated.
“I’m just starting to live my own life,” she replied.
Later, in the hall, Thomas was trying to make small talk with his colleagues when an announcement caught his attention:
“And now, please welcome our new department manager — Emma Larsen!”
Thomas couldn’t believe his eyes. His wife, dressed in an elegant navy-blue gown, stepped onto the stage. Confident, composed, with a slight smile on her lips.
“What are you doing here? I told you to stay at home!” he hissed later as they were leaving.
“Thomas, you no longer get to decide where I should be or who I should be with,” she replied calmly. “I filed for divorce. You’re free now. Live however you want.”
“This is all because of that job? You think you can boss me around now?”
“No. I simply realized I don’t have to stay with someone who doesn’t appreciate me. And in case you forgot — I’m your superior now.”
Thomas stood stunned in the hallway, while Emma returned to the hall where her new colleagues were waiting for her.
That evening, she finally felt what it meant to be heard, respected, and free.
