“Listen here! I’m wealthy now, and it’s time we divorced,” declared the husband with a sneer, blind to the storm he was about to unleash. “You can’t possibly grasp how your dull, ordinary life grates on me,” snapped Edward, his eyes sharp with contempt. “I dont need some plain JaneI deserve better!”
“Do you honestly believe money changes who you are?” Emily whispered, her voice trembling as she fought back tears.
The warm glow of dusk bathed the kitchen where Emily stood, stirring a pot of hearty beef stew. The rich scent of freshly baked bread mingled in the air.
Edward barged in, swinging an envelope triumphantly, his grin stretching from ear to ear.
“Em! You wont believe this!” he shouted, still in his shoes. “Ive inherited a fortune from some distant uncle! Were set for life!”
Emily turned, wiping flour-dusted hands on her apron. “Thats wonderful, Ed,” she replied gently. “But who was this uncle? Weve never heard of him”
“Who cares?” Edward laughed, planting a kiss on her cheek. “We can finally have everything weve ever wanted!”
Emilys brows arched in surprise, but before she could speak, Edward was already rattling off grand plans, his hands flailing as he envisioned luxury cars and exotic holidays.
Yet by morning, after a sleepless night dreaming of riches, Edward had transformed into a stranger.
He regarded Emily with cold indifference, barking orders as if she were staff. Every word dripped with arrogance, as if the inheritance letter had crowned him royalty.
“You know, Em,” he muttered over breakfast, avoiding her gaze, “now that Im wealthy, we ought to reassess us.”
Emily stiffened, her fork clattering against her plate. “What do you mean?”
“Im on a different level now,” he said, biting into toast. “And you well, youre just too ordinary.”
Emilys breath caught. That afternoon, she met her closest friendsCharlotte and Sophieat a cosy tea shop.
“Girls, you wont believe this,” she blurted, fingers tight around her teacup. “Edwards inherited money and suddenly thinks Im beneath him!”
Charlotte scoffed. “Oh, please. Whos this mystery uncle? Sounds dodgy to me.”
Sophie frowned, leaning in. “What are you going to do?”
“I dont know,” Emily admitted. “Hes become vile.”
Charlotte shook her head. “Maybe its just the shock? Hell snap out of it.”
But as the days passed, Edward only grew worse. Though the money hadnt even cleared, he strutted like a tycoon, belittling Emily at every turn.
“Em, wheres my suit?” he bellowed one morning. “Ive got a meeting!”
She fetched it silently, hanging it by the door. “Edward, we need to talk,” she ventured.
“Not now,” he dismissed. “Ive no time for trivialities.”
That evening, Emily confided in her friends again, her hands shaking around her cup. “I cant take it anymore. He treats me like a servant.”
Charlotte rolled her eyes. “The audacity! He hasnt even got the money yet!”
Sophie squeezed her hand. “Stay strong, Em. Weve got you.”
Days later, Edwards cruelty peaked. “Youre just waiting for my money, arent you?” he accused, sneering.
Emilys heart shattered. “After all these yearshow can you say that?”
“Because its true. Youre transparent.”
That night, Emily met Charlotte and Sophie, their faces grim. “We need to tell you something,” Charlotte began.
Sophie took a breath. “The inheritance letter it was fake. We orchestrated itto show you Edwards true colours.”
Emily recoiled. “You lied to me?”
“We wanted you to see who he really was,” Charlotte admitted. “And we were right.”
Emilys tears spilled overbetrayal, fury, and relief tangled inside her.
Confronting Edward, she stood tall. “I know the truth. Theres no inheritance. You showed me exactly who you are.”
His face twisted in rage. “Youre throwing away our marriage over a joke?”
“No. Over the man you became the second you thought you were rich.”
As he stormed out, Charlotte and Sophie arrived, their arms open.
“Theres more,” Charlotte said softly. “A solicitor from Londons been trying to reach you. There *is* a real inheritancewe just wanted to test Edward first.”
Emilys hands flew to her mouth. “You mean?”
Sophie nodded. “Youre free of him. And now, youre truly wealthy.”
Laughter and champagne followed, glasses clinking under the warm light.
“To new beginnings,” toasted Charlotte.
“To real friends,” Sophie added.
Emily raised her glass, her heart full. “To you both. Thank you.”
For the first time in weeks, she breathed freely. The future was hersunshackled, bright, and brimming with promise.
