Determined to Be Happy No Matter What
In her final year at university, Emily fell in lovenot with just any boy, but with a man the other girls in her course considered the ultimate catch. Because Daniel came from money.
Emily was pretty, smart, and kind, but she and Daniel were from different worlds. Her parents were working-class, while his family moved in much loftier circles. She knew the divide was there, but love didnt care.
“Emily, youre wasting your time with Daniel,” her dorm-mates warned. “He knows his worth, looks down on half the girls here. Even his mates are all from the same posh crowd.”
“So?” Emily shot back. “I know my worth too. Im not some wallflowerIm clever, I hold my own in conversations, and Im graduating with first-class honours.”
“Just dont come crying to us later. His mum and dad probably wouldnt even let you through the front door,” they teased.
“Stop scaring me,” Emily muttered, paling slightly. “Honestly, its his parents Im most afraid of meetingespecially his mother.”
When she first fell for Daniel, she never imagined hed feel the same. But to her surprise, he didwithout any games. He asked her out first, to the cinema. They spent nearly the whole academic year together, and as summer break loomed, he dropped the bombshell.
“Em, were going to meet my parents on Saturday. Mums been hounding me’Who is she? Whats she like?'”
“Oh God, Daniel, so soon? I dont feel ready!” she fretted.
“Dont be daft. Theyre just people. Dads quiet, barely says a word. Mum? Shes the interrogator. But relaxyoull be fine,” he said with a grin.
Emily was certain theyd marryshe just had to impress his parents. The formal invitation to dinner sent her into a panic. For two days, she pored over etiquette books, rehearsing table manners like her life depended on it.
Saturday arrived. Daniel met her, and they walked to his parents flat together. Her stomach twisted as she braced to face her future mother-in-law.
“Hello,” Emily managed, stepping inside. Daniels motherSophiawas elegant, smiling warmly. The sight loosened the knot in Emilys chest.
“Emily! Im Sophia. Daniel, take her straight through”
At the table, Daniels father, Richard, sat sternly. He nodded once, barely glancing up.
Emily sat ramrod straight, elbows off the table, wielding her cutlery with precision. She barely ate, terrified of being caught mid-bite if questioned.
But tension breeds mistakes. Her fork slipped, clattering onto the thick cream carpet. She flinched, shoulders hunching as she shot a nervous look at Sophia. Daniel laughed outright.
“Sorry,” she whispered.
Sophia only smiled. “Daniel, youre a terrible host. Fetch her a clean fork.”
“Right, Mum,” he muttered, scooping it up and disappearing into the kitchen.
“Emily, relax,” Sophia said gently. “This isnt Buckingham Palace. Eat properly, or Ill think you hate my cooking.”
“Oh, no! Its lovely. I justDaniel said you had a housekeeper, Mrs. Hughes?”
“We do,” Sophia sighed. “But today, I cooked myself.”
“Why?”
Sophias eyes sparkled. “Why else? I wanted to impress my future daughter-in-law.”
Emily blinked. “So todays a test for both of us?”
“Seems so,” Sophia laughed. “But Daniel hasnt disappointed us. Right, Richard?”
Her husband grunted. “Quite.”
The evening ended well. Emily relaxed, chatting easily. Two weeks later, she and Daniel filed for a marriage license. Two months after that, they wed.
“Daniel, where will we live?” Emily asked.
“Not sure. But Mum and Dad have been whispering”
The answer came at the reception: his parents gifted them a one-bed flat two floors below theirs.
Emily was overjoyed. Her family, visiting from Birmingham, cheered. “There is a God,” her mother said, hugging her. “Youve got your own roof over your head.”
Emily wanted to graduate alongside her husband. She thought nothing could cloud their futureuntil, in their final year, she discovered she was pregnant. Thrilled but scared, she told Daniel.
“Guess what? Were having a baby! I just hope I can still finish my degree on time”
Daniels face darkened. “A baby? Were students, living off my parents! I thought wed have years just for us.”
Emily froze. “You want me to terminate it?”
“Christ, Em, I dont want to waste my youth on nappies!”
Tears spilled as she fled, colliding with Sophia in the hallway.
“Emily! Whatsoh, love, come inside.”
Sophia sat her down. “Out with it.”
Between sobs, Emily choked it out. “He wants me to get rid of the baby. Because of money, the degree”
Sophias face hardened. “Youre keeping it. Men dont decide this. How far along?”
“Eight weeks.”
“Youll graduate in time. Go eatMrs. Hughes will fix you tea. Ill deal with my son.”
Whatever Sophia said worked. Daniel returned, shuffling guiltily. “Sorry, Em. I was wrong.”
She noddedbut her gratitude was for Sophia.
They reconciled. Both graduated. Two weeks later, their son, Oliver, was born. Sophia and Richard doted on him, though Daniel remained distant.
He started working; Emily stayed home. But Daniel began coming home late, reeking of beerthen perfume.
“Are you cheating?” she demanded one night.
He left without answering.
That evening, she confronted Sophia.
“Love, dont act rashly. Maybe its a phase”
“No. Im taking Oliver to Mums.”
“Dont be sillystay here. Let Daniel rot alone. Well help with Oliver. Mrs. Hughes can mind him when you work. You need to be around people, not stewing.”
Emily swallowed hard. “Thank you. I just I deserve to be happy. I wont settle for less.”
“Good girl. Youll get through this.”
Five years later, Emily remarrieda colleague, James. They lived happily with Oliver and a new daughter, Charlotte. Sophia and Richard doted on the children, summers spent at their countryside cottage.
Emily was happy. Against all odds, shed won.
