**Life in Order**
“Emily, I forbid you to speak to your sister and her family! They have their life, and we have ours. Were you calling Charlotte again? Complaining about me? I warned you. Dont blame me if something happens.” Benjamins grip on my shoulder was painfully tight.
As I often did in these moments, I retreated silently to the kitchen, bitter tears welling up. No, I never complained to my own sister about my marriage. We just talked. Our elderly parents needed care, and there was always something to discuss. But Benjamin despised Charlotte. Her home was peaceful and prosperoussomething ours could never claim.
When I married Benjamin, I was the happiest woman alive. He swept me off my feet, and I barely noticed his shortcomingshis short stature, his mother stumbling drunk at our wedding. Love blinded me. But within a year, doubt crept in. Benjamin drank heavily, came home reeking of ale, then came the affairs. I worked as a nurse, earning barely enough, while he spent his days at the pub.
He never provided for me. Once, I dreamed of children, but now I poured my love into our pedigreed cat. The thought of raising a child with a drunkard repulsed me. Yet, foolishly, I still loved him.
“Youre a fool, Emily! Men flirt with you, but youre blind, stuck on that short-tempered brute! What do you see in him? Youre always covered in bruises under that concealer. Leave before he kills you!” My best friend and colleague never minced words.
Benjamins temper was unpredictable. Once, he beat me so badly I couldnt work, then locked me inside, taking the key. After that, fear consumed me. My heart raced every time his key turned in the lock. I thought he hated mefor my infertility, for failing as a wife. So I endured the fists, the insults, the cruelty. Why did I still love him?
His mother, a bitter woman, once told me, “Emily, obey your husband. Love him with all your heart. Forget your family and friendstheyll only lead you astray.” So I did. I became his shadow, his possession.
I craved his apologiesthe way hed kneel, beg, kiss my feet. Those moments were intoxicating. Once, he scattered rose petals on our bed. I floated on clouds, forgetting hed stolen them from a drunkards garden. Wives everywhere forgave their men for such empty gestures.
I might have stayed forever, trapped in that cycle. But fate intervened.
“Leave Benjamin. He has a son with me. Youre barrenuseless.” A strangers blunt words shattered my denial.
“I dont believe you! Get out!” I snapped.
Benjamin denied everythinguntil I demanded he swear on his life. His silence spoke volumes.
At work, our head physician, Charles Whitmore, surprised me. “Emily, Ive never seen you happy. Trouble at home?”
“Everythings fine,” I mumbled, flustered.
“Good. Lifes beautiful when everythings in order,” he said cryptically.
Rumour said Charles wife had cheated. Now, at forty-two, he lived aloneunassuming, bespectacled, balding. Yet when he neared, something stirred in mehis cologne, his quiet confidence. I fled the temptation, but his words haunted me. *In order.* My life was chaos.
I left Benjamin for my parents. Mum was shocked. “Emily, what happened? Did he throw you out?”
“No. Ill explain later,” I whispered, ashamed.
Benjamins mother screamed curses over the phone, but I stood tall, breathing freely for the first time.
Benjamin stalked me, furious. But his power over me was gone.
“Focus on your son, Benjamin. Ive moved on. Goodbye.” My voice was steady.
I reunited with Charlotte, with my family. I was myself againno longer a puppet.
My friend gaped. “Emily, youre glowing! Like a bride!”
Then Charles proposed. “Marry me. You wont regret it. Just call me Charlesno Dr Whitmore at home.”
“Do you even love me?” I asked.
“Ah, women and their words. Suppose I do. But actions matter more.” He kissed my hand.
“I accept. Ill learn to love you,” I said, radiant.
Ten years passed. Charles proved his love dailyno empty gestures, just steadfast care. We never had childrenperhaps I *was* barren. But he never blamed me.
“Emily, its just us. And youre enough,” hed say when I grieved motherhood.
His daughter gave us a granddaughter, Sophieour joy.
As for Benjamin? He drank himself to death before fifty. His mother glares at me in the market, but her hatred doesnt touch me.
Charles and I? Everythings in order. Life is beautiful.
**Lesson:** A life built on fear is no life at all. Sometimes, the quietest love speaks the loudest.
