Youre an orphan, who will stand up for you? the husband sneered, shoving me out of the house.
Wheres the money I gave you yesterday? Daniel burst into the kitchen, his face flushed with anger.
Emily turned from the stove where the mince pies were sizzling. Drops of oil hissed on the hot pan.
What money? You never gave me anything.
Dont lie! Five thousand pounds for groceries! I left it on the bedroom dresser!
Dan, I never took that cash. Look again; maybe you moved it.
Ive searched everywhere! Its gone! You must have spent it on your knickknacks!
Emily switched off the burner and wiped her hands on her apron. After four years of marriage she was used to such accusations, but they still cut deep.
Dan, I didnt take your money. I have my own salary; why would I steal?
Salary! he scoffed. Your pocketchange from the shop? Thats not a salary, its a handout!
At the doorway appeared motherinlaw Margaret Hughes. She had moved in six months ago after selling her flat, claiming shed put the money into her sons business, though Daniels business was merely a job as a site manager for a construction firm.
Whats all this ruckus? she asked, glancing around the kitchen. Another argument?
Mum, she stole my five thousand pounds!
I didnt steal anything, Emily repeated quietly.
Margaret stepped closer, appraising Emily from head to toe.
Daniel didnt give me any cash yesterday. He handed it to me for safekeeping because you, dear, cant manage money. Youd waste it all.
Emily felt a tight knot form inside her. Again. It was as if they were all against her.
Margaret, if you took the money, just say it. Why accuse me?
Youre calling my mother a thief? Daniel snapped.
I never said that. I just want the truth.
Theres nothing to discuss, Margaret said, pulling a few notes from the pocket of her cardigan. Heres the money. I took it so you wouldnt blow it on nonsense. Dan, take it and buy yourself a decent shirt; you cant go to work in rags.
Daniel pocketed the cash without even looking at Emily.
Thanks, Mum. You always look out for me.
Emily stood mute. A surge of resentment rose, but she had learned long ago not to show her feelings. In this house any display of emotion was turned against her.
The pies are burning, Margaret remarked. Everythings slipping through your fingers, you hopeless housewife.
Emily returned to the stove. The pies were indeed charred on one side. She flipped them, breathing evenly, refusing to let herself break down.
Four years earlier things had been different. Daniel had courted her with flowers, taken her to cafés. Emily worked as a shop assistant in the same supermarket she still worked ata modest job, no qualifications, no connections. She had grown up in a childrens home, moved into a council flat after leaving school, and taken the job to survive. Life was hard but hers.
Then Daniel appeared: goodlooking, confident, with a solid job. Hed noticed her while picking up groceries, struck up conversation, teased, invited her out. Emily could scarcely believe her fortunea man like that and a girl from a care home, with no family.
Their wedding was modest. From Emilys side only a flatmate attended; from Daniels side his mother, a few relatives and friends. Margaret watched the new bride with thinlyveiled disapproval, though she showed nothing. That was then.
After the ceremony Emily moved into Daniels twobedroom flat in a suburban estate. She kept her job, managed the home, tried to be a good wife. Gradually, small criticisms appearedshe didnt season the soup right, didnt iron his shirt perfectly, didnt allocate the money as he wanted. Accusations followed: she spent too much, dressed poorly, was uneducated.
When Margaret moved in, everything deteriorated. She assumed the role of head of the house, criticised every move Emily made, meddled in everything, and turned her son against his wife. Daniel always listened to his mother.
Dinner will be ready in ten minutes, Emily announced, setting the table.
Finally, Daniel said, slumping into his chair with his phone. Im starving.
Margaret sniffed the spread.
The salads watery, and theres barely any bread. Are you trying to save on food?
I bought exactly what we need for the week, according to the list you both made.
Dont argue with your elders. Young people today have no respect.
Dinner passed in tense silence. Daniel ate without saying a word, Margaret sighed repeatedly, displeased with the quality. Emily barely touched her plate; there was no appetite.
Afterward she washed the dishes while Daniel and Margaret lounged in the living room, laughing at the TV. Emily felt like a servant who had been allowed to stay.
That night Daniel went to bed without even wishing her good night. Emily lay awake, wondering when she had become so unhappy, when she stopped being a beloved wife and turned into a burden.
In the morning she rose early, as usual, prepared breakfast, packed Daniels lunch. He left muttering something unintelligible.
Emily, we need to talk, Margaret said when Emily was finishing her tea.
Im listening.
This flat is too small for three of us. Were cramped.
I know, but we cant afford a bigger place yet.
Thats why Dan and I think you should find somewhere else to live for a while. Rent a room; you have a salary, after all.
This is my husbands flat. Im his wife.
Wife? Margaret smirked. What kind of wife are you? You cant have children, youre useless around the house, youre not pretty. Dan could do better.
Daniel chose me, Emily said softly.
He made a mistake. People make mistakes. They must be corrected.
You want me to leave my husband?
Im offering to make his life easier. You dont have to divorce; just live apart. It might be better for everyone.
Emilys hands trembled as she rose from the table.
Ill speak to Daniel.
Talk, talk. Hell agree because I convinced him. Its his idea.
All day at work Emily replayed the conversation. Did Daniel really want her out? Did four years mean nothing?
That evening she came home earlier than usual. Daniel was already in the kitchen with his mother, sipping tea.
Dan, I need to speak with you alone.
Talk in front of Mum; she already knows everything.
This is between us.
He sighed, stood, and went to the bedroom. Emily followed, closed the door behind her.
Your mother said you want me out. Is that true?
Daniel turned to the window.
Its true. We need space. Mums here, Im uncomfortable, and youre just taking up room.
Im your wife!
A wife who hasnt given you a child in four years. A wife who earns a few pounds a week. What good are you?
Dan, the doctors said my health isnt the problem. You
Shut up! he snapped, eyes flashing. Its your background, from the childrens home! Who knows whats in your bloodline!
My parents died in a crash when I was three. Im a normal, healthy person!
Normal, he laughed. No family, no roots. I married you out of pity, then regretted it. Youre a burden.
Tears rose, but Emily held them back.
So you want a divorce?
I want you gone. Just go, and well see what happens.
Where do I go?
Back to the hall, or find a cheap room. Its your problem.
Dan, I love you. We can try again
Its too late, Emily. Its decided. Pack your things.
When?
Tomorrow. You have the evening to sort yourself out.
He left the room, leaving Emily alone on the bed they had shared for four years, where she had once dreamed of children, a happy family, a future.
She began stuffing clothes into a suitcase, taking only a few documents, a modest sum of cash she had hidden, photographs, books. She owned almost nothing.
Margaret peeked in.
Clever girl, you understand. No need for a scene.
I dont want a scene, Emily said, continuing to pack without looking up.
Right. Slip out quietly. Dan will find someone proper, from a respectable family.
Emily said nothing. Margarets disdain was obvious; she had always considered Emily unworthy of her son.
The next morning Emily dressed, took her bags, and slipped out while Daniel slept. Margaret was sipping tea in the kitchen.
Leaving?
Yes.
Leave the keys on the table.
Emily placed the keys and walked down the hallway, pausing at the door, looking back at the flat that had been her home for four years. It would never feel like home again.
She descended the stairs, out into the earlymorning street, almost empty. Where now? The hall she had lived in was already occupied by new tenants. Renting a place required money she barely hadonly a few hundred pounds.
She went to work, arrived early, sat in the staff room and tried to think of her next step.
The shop was warm and quiet. She settled on a small bench, bags beside her, feeling a hollow emptiness. She wanted to cry, but tears wouldnt come.
Emily? Why so early? Veronica, the store manager, appeared in the doorway. She was in her fifties, stern yet fair.
Couldnt sleep.
Veronica squinted at the bags.
Whats happened?
Nothing. Alls well.
Dont lie. Ive known you four years; I can tell when youre not telling the truth. Speak.
Emily recounted the whole nightmareher husband, her motherinlaw, being forced out. Veronica listened, shaking her head occasionally.
Those bastards, she said finally. Sorry for the language, but thats how they are.
I dont know what to do.
My daughter lives in another town; her flat is empty. You can stay with me for a while, sort things out.
Veronica, I cant it feels like
You can, and Ill call her Veronica not VeronicaMrs. Pack your things; well go after your shift.
Ill pay you back, I promise.
Money will come later. First get on your feet.
Emily felt tears finally break free, grateful that someone was on her side.
That evening they drove to Veronicas modest twobedroom flat on the citys outskirts. The spare room was small, with a narrow bed, a desk, and a wardrobe.
Make yourself at home. I freshened the bed yesterday. If you need anything, just ask.
Thank you so much. I dont even know how to thank you properly.
No need. We all go through rough patches. I was helped once, now I help.
Emily arranged her few belongings, feeling oddly calm in someone elses house, free from criticism and shame.
The next day Daniel texted, asking to collect the remaining box of her stuff.
I cant, Im at work late.
He hung up without asking how she was, just mentioning the box.
She collected it the following evening. Daniel opened the door, handed her a cardboard box.
Here, take it.
Can I come in?
Why?
I need to talk.
He grudgingly let her in. The flat smelled of unfamiliar perfume. In the living room sat a young woman, twentyfive, immaculate, with an air of superiority.
This is Lena, Daniel introduced. Lena, this is Emily, my exwife.
Exwife? Were not divorced.
Formalities. Ill file the papers soon.
Lena glanced at Emily with barely concealed contemptshe was everything Emily was not.
So youve already found a replacement, Emily whispered.
Im not a replacement. Im his girlfriend. Real, not a temporary fling.
How long have you been seeing him?
He looked away.
Six months.
Six months. All while Emily was trying to be a good wife, Daniel was already dating. He now blamed her for everything.
You cheated, then blamed me, Emily said.
Dont make a scene. Youre an orphan, who will stand up for you? Daniel smirked, looking down at her. No one will defend you. Pack your box and get out.
Emily took the box, hands trembling, feeling a surge of anger and humiliation, but she kept her composure and left.
On the way back to Veronicas, tears finally fell. How could he be so cruel?
Veronica welcomed her with tea and a slice of cake.
So, you saw him?
Yes. Hes with someone else, been for half a year.
Hes a scoundrel. Im sorry, Emily, but hes a scoundrel.
He said Im an orphan with no one to protect me.
Veronica set down her cup.
Thats where hes wrong. There are people who will stand up for youme, the shop staff, even strangers. You just need to notice them.
It feels pointless. Hell divorce, marry someone else, and forget me.
That might be the best outcome. Youll be free from his cruelty and can build a proper life.
That weekend Veronicas friend Alia, also a shop colleague, visited. On hearing Emilys story, she was outraged.
How can you kick someone out of their home!
Apparently you can, Emily said sadly.
Have you spoken to the manager? We have a staffsupport scheme; they can give you a financial boost.
I didnt know that.
Talk to Maria, the store manager, on Monday. Shell help.
On Monday Emily met Maria. The manager listened, frowned, and said:
Those bastards Ill arrange a hardship payment and a bonus for this month. It should cover a deposit for a rented room.
Thank you so much.
We dont abandon our own. Youre a good worker, honest, and thats what matters.
Later that day a stranger called.
Emily? Im Tamara, sister of Margaret Hughes. Ive heard about what happened. Im sorry for my sisters behavior. If you need any assistance, let me know.
Why would you help?
Because Ive been through the same thing. My first husband threw me out. I understand.
They talked for a while; Tamara shared her story and offered advice. By the end, Emily felt steadier.
A week later she found a cheap room in a shared house. The landlady, an elderly woman named Gladys, welcomed her warmly.
Make yourself comfortable, dear. Keep it tidy and quiet, and youll be fine.
Emily settled in, hung up a few photos, placed her books on a small shelf. It was modest, cramped, but it was hers, free from ridicule.
Daniel sent a final message confirming the divorce. Emily agreed to his terms without demanding anything, simply wanting to close that chapter.
Three months passed. Emily adjusted to the new routinework, a quiet home, occasional meetups with shop friends. Life was simple, calm, free of arguments.
One day a man in his forties entered the shop, tall, bespectacled, with a kind smile. He asked Emily for advice on choosing tomatoes. He returned several times, then one afternoon invited her for tea.
Im Michael, a teacher, recently divorced, living alone. Id like to chat, no pressure.
Im hesitant, Emily admitted. I just divorced.
No problem. Lets just talk.
They met at a café, laughed, shared stories. Michael never pried about her past, simply enjoyed her company. He said:
Youre pleasant to be with, Emily. Its rare to find someone sincere.
Their meetings became more frequent. Michael walked her home, called to check in, offered support without demanding anything. Emily felt a warmth return, a reason to smile again.
One afternoon she ran into Daniel on the high street, holding Lenas hand, who was visibly pregnant.
Hows life? he sneered.
Fine, thanks. Happy, actually.
Youll end up in a council flat, I bet.
At least nobody belittles me there.
Lena tugged his sleeve.
Come on, Dan, lets go.
They walked away. Emily watched them leave, feeling oddly indifferentno bitterness, just calm acceptance.
That evening she met Michael in the park. She told him about the encounter.
You seem at peace, he said.
Ive let it go.
He took her hand.
I want you to know that I dont care about your past, where you came from, or whether you have family. I care about the person you are. Youre kind, honest, strong.
Strong? Emily laughed. I dont feel strong.
You are. You survived betrayal, being evicted, a divorce, and you rebuilt your life. Thats strength.
She looked into his eyes, seeing genuine warmth, far different from Daniels cold judgment.
Thank you, she whispered.
No, thank you. Youve brought light into my life.
They sat watching the sunset, understanding that life, though often unfair, continues. Small happiness, fragile but real, can still be found.
Daniel was wrong. Emily had people who would stand up for herVeronica, Maria, Tamara, Michael, and countless others who helped without expecting anything.Emily finally understood that the family that embraces you is the one you build with love, not the one you are born into.
