“LIFE IN ORDER”
“Emily, I forbid you from speaking to your sister and her family! Theyve got their own life, and weve got ours. Were you calling Natalie again? Complaining about me? I warned you. Dont blame me if something happens,”William grabbed my shoulder painfully.
As usual, I slipped away to the kitchen without a word. Bitter tears welled up. No, I never complained to my sister about my miserable life. We just talked. With our elderly parents, there was always something to discuss. But William couldnt stand it. He hated Natalie. Her family had peace and comfortsomething we sorely lacked.
When I married William, I thought I was the happiest girl in the world. He swept me off my feet in a whirlwind of passion. I didnt care that he was a head shorter than me, or that his mother showed up to the wedding barely able to stand. Later, I learned she was a chronic alcoholic.
Blinded by love, I ignored the red flags. But after a year of marriage, doubts crept in. William drank heavily, stumbled home wasted, then started cheating. I worked as a nurse, earning next to nothing while he spent his days in the pub with his mates. He had no intention of providing for me. Once, I dreamed of childrennow I settled for caring for my pedigree cat. No way was I bringing a child into this mess. Yet, somehow, I still loved him.
“Youre a fool, Emily! Men are lining up for you, and youre stuck on that drunk? Look at the state of youbruises hidden under layers of concealer. Leave before he kills you!” That was my best mate and coworker, always laying it out bluntly.
Williams temper was unpredictable. Once, he beat me so badly I missed my shift. He even locked me inside the flat and took the key. After that, I was terrified of him. My heart pounded every time I heard his key in the lock. I thought he resented mefor not giving him a child, for being a bad wife. So I endured the beatings, the insults, the cruelty. Why did I still love him?
His witch of a mother used to whisper, “Emily, be obedient. Love him with all your heart. Forget your family and friendstheyll only lead you astray.” So I did. I cut everyone off, surrendered completely.
I lived for the moments hed beg forgivenesskneeling, kissing my feet, covering our bed in stolen rose petals. It felt like magic. (Never mind that hed nicked them from a mates garden.) For a while, I floated on clouds, ignoring reality.
I mightve spent my whole life like that, trapped in cycles of pain and false hope. But then, a stranger showed up. “Leave William. Ive got his son. Youre barren, loveno use keeping him.”
“I dont believe you. Get out,” I snapped.
William denied it, of course. But when I demanded he swear on his life, his silence said everything.
“Emily, Ive never seen you smile. Trouble at home?” The hospitals head consultant, Dr. Henry Clarke, caught me off guard. Hed barely noticed me before.
“Everythings fine,” I mumbled.
“Good. When lifes in order, its beautiful,” he said cryptically.
Henry was divorcedrumor had it his wife cheated. Now, at 42, he lived alone. Unassuming, glasses, thinning hair. But up close? His cologne, that quiet confidenceit undid me. Id rush away, terrified of the pull I felt.
His words haunted me. *Life in order.* Mine was chaos. And time wasnt waiting for me to fix it.
So I left. Moved back with my parents. Mum was shocked. “Emily, whats happened? Did he throw you out?”
“No. Ill explain later.” Shame kept me quiet.
Williams mum rang, screaming curses. But for the first time, I stood tall. Thank you, Henry.
William stalked me, threatened me. He didnt realize his hold was gone. “Focus on your son, William. He needs you. Im done.” My voice didnt even shake.
I reconnected with Natalie, my parents. Became myself again.
“Bloody hell, Emily, youre glowing!” my mate said.
Then Henry proposed. “Marry me. You wont regret it. Just call me Henrysave the Dr. Clarke for work.”
“Do you even love me?” I asked.
“Ah, women and their words. Suppose I do. But actions matter more,” he said, kissing my hand.
“Yes, Henry. Ill learn to love you too.”
Ten years flew by.
Henry proved his love dailyno grand gestures, just steady care. No children came, but he never blamed me. “Weve got each other, Emily. Thats enough.”
His daughter gave us a granddaughter, Sophie. She became our joy.
As for William? He drank himself to an early grave. His mother still glares at me in Tesco, but her hate doesnt touch me.
Henry and I? Lifes in order. And its beautiful.
