Youre an orphan, wholl stand up for you? Daniel chuckled, shooing me out of the flat.
Wheres the cash you handed me yesterday? Daniel stormed into the kitchen, face flushed red.
Emma turned from the hob where the mince patties were sizzling, droplets of oil hissing on the hot pan.
What cash? You never gave me anything.
Dont lie! Fivepounds for groceries! I left it on the dresser in the bedroom!
Dan, I didnt take any money. Check again, maybe I put it somewhere else.
Ive looked everywhere! Its gone! You mustve grabbed it and spent it on your bits and bobs!
Emma switched off the cooker and wiped her hands on the apron. After four years of marriage shed grown used to these accusations, but they still cut deep each time.
Dan, I didnt steal your cash. I have my own salary, why would I pinch yours?
Salary! he snorted. Your pocketmoney from the shop? Thats not a salary, its an allowance!
At the doorway appeared Margaret Hart, Daniels mother. Shed been living with them for six months after selling her flat and, as she put it, had poured the money into her sons business, though Daniel was just a manager at a construction firm.
Whats all this shouting about? she asked, looking into the kitchen. Another fight?
Mum, shes taken my five pounds!
I didnt take anything, Emma repeated quietly.
Margaret stepped closer, giving Emma a hard, fullbody appraisal.
Dan didnt give me any money yesterday. He handed it to me to keep safe, because you, darling, cant manage cash. Youd waste it all.
Emma felt her chest tighten. Again it seemed the whole world was against her.
Margaret, if you took the money, just say it. Why blame me?
Youre calling my mother a thief? Daniel snapped.
I never said that. I just want to sort this out.
Theres nothing to sort, Margaret said, pulling a few notes from her cardigan. Heres the cash. I took it so you wouldnt spend it on nonsense. Dan, take this and buy yourself a decent shirt, will you? You cant be showing up to work in that old thing.
Daniel slipped the money into his pocket, barely glancing at Emma.
Thanks, Mum. You always look out for me.
Emma stood silently, the sting inside her rising. Shed learned long ago not to show her feelings; in this house any display of emotion turned against her.
The patties are burning, Margaret noted. Everythings falling apart. Youre a dreadful cook, love.
Emma turned back to the stove. The mince patties were indeed blackening on one side. She flipped them, breathing steady, trying not to crack, not to cry, just to finish the job.
Four years ago things had been different. Daniel had courted her sweetly, bringing flowers and taking her out for coffee. Emma worked at the same supermarket she still works at now, an ordinary sales assistant with no qualifications or connections. Shed grown up in a childrens home, later moving into a shared house after leaving school, landing this job. Life was hard but hers.
Then Daniel appearedgoodlooking, confident, with a steady job. Hed noticed her when he stopped in the shop for groceries, started chatting, cracking jokes, asking her out. Emma could hardly believe her luck. A man like that and a girl from a childrens home, with no family, no past.
Their wedding was modest. Emma had only a flatmate from the house as a guest; Daniel had his mother, a few relatives, and friends. Margaret watched Emma with barely concealed disapproval, but said nothing. That was then.
After the ceremony Emma moved into Daniels twobedroom flat in a quiet suburb of Manchester. She kept working, kept the house, tried to be a good wife. Slowly things shifted.
First came little nags: the soup too salty, the shirt not ironed properly, the money not divided right. Then the accusations grewshe spent too much, dressed poorly, was uneducated. When Margaret moved in, the atmosphere turned ugly. She took on the role of household queen, critiquing every move Emma made, meddling, turning her son against his own wife. And Daniel always listened to his mum, no matter what.
Dinner will be ready in ten minutes, Emma said, setting the table.
Finally, Daniel slumped into his seat, glued to his phone. Im starving.
Margaret inspected the spread with a critical eye.
That salad looks watery, and theres barely any bread. Saving money on food now?
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.
The meal passed in tense silence. Daniel chewed mechanically, Margaret sighed repeatedly, showing her displeasure. Emma barely touched her plate; shed lost any appetite.
After dinner she washed up while Daniel and his mum lounged in the living room, laughing at the TV. Emma felt like a servant whod been allowed to stay.
That night Daniel went to bed without even wishing her good night. Emma lay awake, staring at the darkness. When had she become so unhappy? When did she stop being the loved wife and become a burden?
Morning came early, as usual. She made breakfast, packed his lunch, and he left muttering something unintelligible.
Emma, we need to talk, Margaret said when Emma was finishing her tea.
Im listening.
This flat is cramped for the three of us. We need more space.
I get it, but we cant afford a bigger place right now.
Thats why we thought you could find somewhere else to live, maybe a room. You do have a salary.
This is my husbands flat. Im his wife.
Wife? Margaret smirked. What kind of wife are you? No kids, useless around the house, not a beauty. Dan could do better.
Dan chose me, Emma said softly.
He made a mistake. People make mistakes, but they have to be fixed.
Youre suggesting I leave him?
Im suggesting you make his life easier. No divorce, just a temporary separation. Maybe thatll work.
Emma rose from the table, hands shaking, but tried to stay composed.
Ill talk to Dan.
Talk, talk. Hes already agreed with me. It was his idea.
The whole day at work Emma replayed the conversation. Was Dan really wanting her out? Did four years mean nothing?
That evening she got home early. Daniel was already in the kitchen with his mum, sipping tea.
Dan, we need to talk, just the two of us.
Talk with Mum around, she already knows everything.
Its about us.
He sighed, got up, and went to the bedroom. Emma followed, closed the door behind them.
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 pocketmoney as a shop assistant. What use are you?
Dan, the doctors said the problem isnt me. Its you
Shut up! he snapped, eyes flashing. Its your background, from the childrens home! Who knows whats in your family line!
What does the home have to do with anything? My parents died in a crash when I was three. Im a normal, healthy person!
Normal, he sneered. No family, no roots. I married you out of pity for an orphan and now youre a burden.
Tears welled, but she held them back.
So you want a divorce?
I want you out. Just out. Then well see.
Where am I supposed to go?
Back to the shared house, or rent a room. Its your problem.
Dan, I love you. We can try again
Too late, Emma. Its decided. Pack your things.
When?
Tomorrow. You have the evening to sort yourself.
He left the room, leaving Emma alone on the bed theyd shared for four years, the place where shed once dreamed of kids, a happy family, a future.
She started stuffing a bag clothes, documents, a few pounds shed hidden, some photos, books. Not much of her own.
Margaret popped her head in.
Smart move. No drama, just go. Dan will find someone proper, from a decent family.
I dont want drama, Emma muttered, still folding.
Right. Slip out quietly. Dan will get another wife, normal.
Emma said nothing. Margarets disapproval had always been there, and now it was fulfilled.
The next morning Emma dressed, grabbed her bags. Daniel was still asleep. Margaret was at the kitchen table, tea in hand.
Leaving?
Yes.
Leave the keys on the table.
Emma placed the keys down, paused at the hallway, looked back at the flat that had been her home for four years. She stepped out, the stairwell leading down to the street. Dawn was just breaking, the city still quiet. She had a room waiting in the shared house, but the place was already taken. Renting a flat would need money she barely had just a few pounds.
She headed to work, hoping an early shift would give her a moment to think.
The shop was warm and quiet. She slipped into the staff room, sat on a crate, bags beside her, trying not to cry. The tears wouldnt come. Just a hollow feeling.
Emma? Why so early? Heather, the store manager, appeared in the doorway, a stern but fair woman in her fifties.
couldnt sleep, thats all.
Heather squinted at the bags.
Whats wrong?
nothing. All fine.
Dont lie. Ive known you four years; I can spot a lie. Speak.
Emma spilled the story husband, motherinlaw, being thrown out. Heather listened, nodding.
Youre a right mess, she said bluntly. Sorry for the language.
I dont know what to do.
My daughter moved to another town, her flats empty. You can crash at my place until you get sorted.
I cant its too much
You can. And stop calling me Mrs. Just Heather. Pack up, well go after your shift.
Ill pay you back, I promise.
Youll get on your feet first. Thats what matters.
Emma felt tears finally spill, the first real ones. Someone was on her side, offering help without strings.
That evening they drove to Heathers modest twobedroom flat on the outskirts. It was simple but cosy. The spare room had a narrow bed, a small desk, a wardrobe.
Make yourself at home. The beds fresh, I changed the sheets yesterday. If you need anything, just shout.
Thank you so much. I dont even know how to thank you.
No need. We all need a hand sometimes. I was helped once, now I pay it forward.
Emma spread her few belongings, the space small but hers. No one there to judge, no one to belittle.
The next day Daniel texted about the divorce papers. Emma signed everything, asking for nothing, just wanting to close that chapter.
Three months later Emma settled into her new routine: work, a tiny but tidy flat, occasional catchups with store mates. Life was quiet, free of shouting, of accusations.
One afternoon a man in his forties walked into the shop, tall, glasses, kind eyes. He was picking out groceries and asked Emma for advice. He returned a few times, then again.
Youre always so helpful to customers, arent you? he said one day.
I try, its part of the job.
Its more than that. You genuinely care. Thats rare.
His name was Michael, a teacher at a nearby school. Hed recently divorced and lived alone. They started chatting, then he invited her for tea.
Im not sure Emma blushed. I just got divorced.
No pressure. Lets just talk, no strings.
They met at a café, laughed, shared stories. Michael never pressed about her past, just listened.
You know, I feel comfortable with you, he said at the end. Its been a while since I felt that.
Same here.
They began meeting more often. Hed walk her home, call to check in, never demanding, just being there. Emma felt something thaw inside, a spark of hope returning.
One day she ran into Daniel on the street, arminarm with Lena, who was visibly pregnant.
Hows life treating you? he smirked.
Fine, happy.
Youre still living in a council flat, I guess.
At least no ones putting me down there.
Lena tugged his sleeve.
Dan, lets go. No point chatting.
They walked off. Emma watched them go, feeling oddly indifferent, not angry, just detached. He belonged in the past.
Later that evening she met Michael in the park, sitting on a bench.
I ran into my ex today, she said.
How did that feel?
Calm. No feelings left.
Good, that means youve let go.
Michael took her hand.
Emma, I want you to know something. I dont care about your background, where you grew up, or whether you have family. I care about who you are. Youre kind, honest, resilient.
Strong? she smiled. I dont feel strong.
You are. You survived betrayal, being kicked out, a divorce, and you built a new life. Thats strength.
She looked into his warm eyes, feeling a kindness shed never known from Daniel.
Thanks, she whispered.
Thank you for being in my life.
They watched the sunset together. Life kept moving, sometimes harsh, sometimes unfair, but it kept going. There was room for happiness, even if fragile, even if small, but real.
Daniel had been wrong. Emma did have people to stand up for her: Heather, Susan, Rachel, Michael, and others who helped without expecting anything. Now she realized family isnt about blood; its about those who stay by your side when things get tough.
She may have no parents, no siblings, but shed found a new family in the people who cared. And that was more than enough.
