**LOVINGLY ENDURING, ENDURINGLY LOVING**
John and Emily had a church wedding. On their wedding day, as the procession neared the church, a sudden summer storm erupted out of nowhere. It tore Emilys veil clean off, sending it spiralling into the sky before it landed in a muddy puddle. The guests gasped as the storm vanished just as quickly. John rushed to grab the veil, but it was too late.
The once-pristine veil now lay ruined in the dirt. Emily, flustered, called out, “John, leave it! I wont wear it now!”
The elderly women who always sat outside the church whispered among themselves, murmuring that the couples life together would be full of storms and trials.
A quick stop at a nearby shop provided a white silk flower to pin in Emilys hair instead. There was no time for a new veilthey couldnt be late for their own wedding!
At the altar, they held their candles and exchanged vows before God. Yet, before the ceremony, theyd already signed the register at the registry office and celebrated with a grand receptionfor the sake of appearances.
Three years later, they had two childrenSophie and Thomasand life seemed peaceful.
Then, ten years on, a young woman knocked on their door.
Emily, always welcoming, greeted her warmly, though John wasnt home. With a womans intuition, she sized up the strangergraceful, charming, strikingly beautiful, and far too young.
“Hello, Emily. Im Lily. Im going to be your husbands new wife,” the girl announced.
“How interesting,” Emily replied, taken aback.
“And how long has John been your fiancé?” she pressed.
“A while. But I cant wait any longer. Were expecting a baby,” Lily declared without hesitation.
“Hmm. How classicwife, mistress, an illegitimate child. Do you know were married in the eyes of God? That we have children?” Emily tried to reason with her.
“I know everything. But were in lovetruly, deeply! You could always annul your marriage. Since hes unfaithful, its allowed,” Lily insisted.
“Listen, girl. I strongly advise you not to meddle in another womans marriage! Well sort out our own vows and loyalty without you. Goodbye!” Emily snapped, slamming the door behind her.
She seethed, replaying recent signsJohns distance, his sudden “work trips,” his newfound interest in weekend fishing, though hed never cared for it before. A wife always knows.
That evening, after dinner, Emily confronted him.
“John, are you in love?” she asked bluntly.
He hesitated. “I am.”
“Your sweetheart came by today. Is it serious?” she pressed, dreading the answer.
“Im a wretch, Emily! I cant live without Lily! I tried to end itI couldnt! Please, let me go!” he begged.
“Go, then,” she whispered, knowing pleas about their children would be futile. Life would have its say.
John left for his lover.
Emily sought solace at church. The vicar listened to her sorrows and gently advised, “Love is patient, my child. You may annul your vowshes strayed into sin. Or you may forgive, pray, and wait. Gods ways are mysterious.”
Two months later, Emily discovered she was pregnantJohns child. She took it as a sign hed return one day.
When their son was born, her mother suggested naming him Jackthe English form of John. “Perhaps your Johnny will come back, love. Life works in strange ways.”
Her mother helped tirelessly, caring for the children while Emily worked.
John never forgot Sophie and Thomasvisiting, showering them with gifts, even leaving money in envelopes for Emily. She forbade them from mentioning baby Jack, but children talk.
Sophie spilled the truth during a visit. John assumed Emily had moved on, his heart aching at the thoughtnever guessing the boy was his.
Meanwhile, Lily, now his wife, was hospitalised during her pregnancy. John rushed for pickles, fruit, even chalkshe craved it for calcium. But tragedy strucktheir daughter was stillborn. A second pregnancy ended in miscarriage.
Grief-stricken, Lily wanted a break from trying. But fate had other plans.
John blamed himself, staying devoted to Lily through it all.
Meanwhile, Emilys old university friend, William, reappeared. Hed once pursued her relentlessly, but shed dismissed him as dull and overbearing. Yet when they met by chance on a rainy bus ride, she invited him home.
Over wine, she poured out her heart. William listened, never interrupting. Grateful, she kissed his cheekigniting fragile hope in him.
He visited often, bringing gifts for the children and flowers for Emily. She made it clear: “Come if you like, but Im waiting for my husband. Nothing more.”
William accepted, calling her “sister” and the children his “nephews.” He stayed.
Then, joyLily gave birth to a healthy girl, Grace. For the first time, Lily truly understood the pain shed caused Emily. Guilt gnawed at her.
Five years passed.
When Lily fell gravely ill at thirty, doctors sent her home to die. With her last strength, she whispered to John, “Take me to Emily. Please.”
Emily, knowing of her illness through Sophie, agreed.
John carried Lily inside. Weak as glass, she begged for privacy.
“Forgive me, Emily,” she wept. “Take Graceraise her with John. Promise me!”
Emily took her hand. “Its not God punishing uswe punish ourselves. I forgave you long ago. Grace will be safe. Stay hereall of you. Youll get better.”
Under one roof, they nursed Lily. William, especially, never left her side, his quiet devotion blossoming into love.
Slowly, Lily ralliedhope rekindled.
Months later, she announced, “Were leaving. Thank youfor everything.”
John and Emily exchanged a glance. Theyd known of William and Lilys growing love.
Earlier, John had confessed, “Whatever happens, I want to come home. Forgive me.”
Emily had kissed him. “Did you think I wouldnt? And Graceshes your daughter.”
“Always,” he vowed.
At the door, Lily whispered to John, “Love Emily fiercely. Ill remember you.”
“Be happy,” he replied.
And so, life mended what hearts had broken.
