Determined to Be Happy No Matter What
In her final year at university, Emily fell in lovenot with just any boy, but with Daniel, the handsome, wealthy lad every girl in her class admired. Emily was pretty and bright herself, but her family was working-class, while Daniel came from privilege. She knew they were worlds apart, yet love had a way of ignoring such things.
“Emily, youre wasting your time with Daniel,” her dorm mates warned. “Hes full of himself, looks down on most people. Even his mates are all from his circle.”
“So what? I know my worth too,” Emily shot back. “Im not just prettyIm clever, top of my class, and can hold my own in any conversation.”
“Dont say we didnt warn you. His parents are probably just as snobby. Youll never measure up,” they insisted.
“Oh, stop scaring me,” Emily muttered. “Its meeting his mum that really terrifies me”
When Daniel returned her feelingsinviting her to the cinema first, no lessshe was overjoyed. They dated all through fourth year, and as summer break neared, he dropped a bombshell.
“Emily, were meeting my parents on Saturday. Mums been pestering meWho is she? Whats she like?”
“So soon?” Emily panicked. “Im not ready!”
“Relax,” Daniel chuckled. “Dads quiet, but Mum? Shes a talker. Loves asking questions. But dont worryyoull be fine.”
Emily was sure theyd marryif she could just impress his parents. She spent days studying etiquette, terrified of slipping up.
Saturday arrived. Daniel met her, and they walked to his familys London flat. Her stomach twisted as she faced his mother, a poised woman who smiled warmly.
“Hello, Emily. Im Victoria,” his mother said. “Come in, dear.”
At the table, Daniels father, Robert, gave a curt nod. Emily sat straight, elbows off the table, wielding her cutlery perfectly. She barely ate, fearing a question mid-bite.
Thendisaster. Her fork clattered silently onto the plush carpet. She froze, but Victoria only chided Daniel.
“Fetch her a clean fork. And stop laughingits not funny.”
“Emily, relax,” Victoria said kindly. “Were at home, not a state dinner. Eat properly, or Ill think you dislike my cooking.”
“Oh! Its delicious. I just thought your housekeeper, Mrs. Higgins, cooked?”
“She does, but today I wanted to impress my future daughter-in-law.”
Emily blinked. “So its not just me on trial?”
Victoria laughed. “Seems not. But Daniel chose well. Robert agrees, dont you?”
“Absolutely, dear,” he murmured.
The visit went smoothly. Two weeks later, they filed for marriage. At the wedding, Daniels parents gifted them a flat two floors below theirs.
Emily was thrilled. Her family rejoiced too. “Gods smiling on you, love,” her mum said. “Youve got your own roof now.”
Determined to graduate with Daniel, Emily was overjoyedthen devastatedwhen she learned she was pregnant.
“A baby! Ill still finish my degree”
Daniel scowled. “A baby? Were students! Living off my parents! I wanted years just for us.”
“You want me to end it?” She fled in tears, colliding with Victoria downstairs.
Over tea, Emily sobbed out the truth.
Victorias eyes hardened. “You keep that baby. Ill handle Daniel.”
Later, he apologised stiffly. They reconciled, graduated, and welcomed a sonthough Daniel remained distant.
He started drinking, coming home late, reeking of perfume. When Emily confronted him, he stormed out.
Victoria offered refuge. “Stay with us. Work, rebuild. Youre stronger than this.”
Five years later, Emily married a colleague, James. They moved to Surrey with her son and new daughter. Victoria dotes on her grandchildren, summers spent at their countryside cottage.
Through it all, Emily held fast to one truth: happiness isnt givenits claimed. And shed claimed hers.
