Emily couldnt believe what was happening to her. Her husband, the one she thought would always stand by her, had just said, I dont love you anymore. The shock was so great she froze in place, watching numbly as he hurried around, packing his things and jingling his keys.
As if she needed this now. Her father had passed away suddenly, leaving her to care for her grieving mother and younger sister, who had been left disabled after a severe head injury at eighteen. They lived in a nearby town. Her little boy, Tommy, had just started primary school. In June, the company she worked for shut down, leaving her jobless. And now her husband
Emily clutched her head, sat at the kitchen table, and wept.
God, what am I supposed to do? How do I go on? Then Oh no, Tommy! I have to get him from school!
The demands of daily life forced her to move.
Mummy, were you crying?
No, Tommy, no.
Are you sad about Grandad? I miss him so much.
Me too, sweetheart. But we have to be strong. Grandad always was. Hes at peace now, dont worry. He deserves the resthe never stopped working.
Wheres Daddy?
Daddy? Oh, hes away on business again. How was school?
She had to carry on. If he didnt love her, there was nothing she could do. You couldnt force affection. Had she missed something in the chaos of life?
While Tommy ate lunch and played with his toy soldiers, Emily logged into the email account on her husbands abandoned laptop. Shed never done this before. His inbox was right there in the corner.
James hadnt deleted his recent messages. His new love was in full swing. And here she wasunloved. Ten years ago, shed been his sunshine. After eight years struggling to conceive, shed become our wonderful mummy.
Now everything had changed. Shed have to adjust.
First, she needed a job. No one cared about her qualifications. The pittance from unemployment benefits wouldnt solve anything.
What had gone wrong? How had her dependable, caring husband turned into a stranger overnight? The only explanation that made sense was that hed lost his mind. Their half-built home still stoodunfinished, but at least they had a roof over their heads.
I need work so badly! She nearly burst into tears again, but there was no time.
Days of searching led nowhere. Tommys schedule and her loneliness made job prospects slim. Then, one evening, her friend Robert called.
Em, still no word from James?
No.
Fancy a job as a stockroom assistant?
Are you serious?
I know its not what youre used to, but its flexible. You could pick up Tommy from after-school club. Pays £25knot much, but better than nothing. Well bring you some potatoes, onions, and a chicken tomorrow.
Rob, Ive got my hens. They keep us in eggs.
Good. Dont slaughter them.
Thanks. Hows Grace?
Hanging in there. Shes a fighter.
That was Robnever complaining, even though his wife was undergoing chemotherapy.
The job turned out manageable, giving her moments to herselfto cry, to think.
Days turned to weeks, then months. A year later, Emily realized she could eat, sleep, and even laugh again, finding joy in Tommys achievements. The pain of betrayal flared whenever James came to take him for weekends.
She never stopped him. Their issues shouldnt hurt Tommy. Part of her wanted to ask what shed done wrong, but she knew it wasnt about herjust his sudden passion for another woman.
She remembered a line from some film: Love lasts till the first bend in the road, then life begins. For her, love and life had been one. For him?
That autumn felt like an extension of summerwarm, golden, with childrens laughter in the air and chrysanthemums blooming in the garden. The day Michael caught her eye was no different, except maybe the sun shone brighter, music drifted from a neighbours open window, and fate decided it was time for two lonely souls to meet.
Miss, let me help. You shouldnt carry all that.
Im used to it.
Shame. Someone as lovely as you shouldnt have to.
Do you always rescue women outside shops?
Been waiting ages. Finally spotted you.
She couldnt help laughing. Soon they were both in stitches.
Michael. He offered his hand, eyes still sparkling.
Emily.
Emily, Emily, not a wifeknow that song?
No. And Im not married.
Lucky me. A woman like you, free as a bird. Is everyone else blind?
Youve got jokes, I see. What about being serious?
That too. Em, how about the cinema tonight?
Cant. Need to pick Tommy up from after-school club.
You have a son?! You look twenty!
Im thirty-five.
Same here. But youId have sworn you were younger.
And now?
Just thinking. Most men dream of having a son. And here you aresingle, with one. Wheres his dad?
Id rather not talk about it.
Fair enough. Weekend, then. We could take Tommy to a kids film.
Weekends, hes with his father.
Emily, I dont want to push. But if youre free, call me. He handed her a card. Im a doctorpaediatric haematology.
Serious job.
Leaves no time for chasing beauties.
Alright, Michael. Ill call.
Ill wait.
That autumn was gloriouslike a gift just for them. Golden leaves, warm days, long walks through every park in town.
And then, tendernessbreaking through the pain of the past, pulling them together like leaves in the wind. They moved carefully, but to her surprise, Emily found herself drawn to him.
Six weeks after they met, she shyly invited him for tea.
Emily, dont take this wrongI wont come to your place. This matters too much to me. Trust me?
The next weekend, they drove to a nature reserve where Michael had rented a cottage that looked like a tiny castle. Inside, it was cosy, but Emily saw nothing but his deep brown eyes as she melted into his arms. Shed never known intimacy could feel like this.
Michael, where am I? Whats happening? I love you so much. How did I live without you?
Youre perfect. Im the luckiest man alive.
Months passed, and parting grew harder.
Emily, marry me.
Michael, my divorce isnt final till the end of the month.
Then marry me right after. Before someone steals you.
Im not so easily stolen. But yesjust a registry office. Then take me back to that castle where I became yours.
Anything you want, love.
Rob and Grace were their only witnesses. Her mother and sister sent a telegram. Soon, they moved into a two-bed flat Michael rented, fixing it up together.
Michael took special care with Tommys room. The boy, who still saw his parents as two halves of an apple, was slow to warm to him.
Emily, dont panic, but lets get Tommys blood checked. Hes too pale.
Michael, hes just upset. The divorce hit him hardhe kept hoping wed stay together.
Youre right, love. I went through the same as a kid. But lets test his blood, alright, mate?
The day Michael came home with his head down, Emily knew.
Emily, dont panic. Tommys blood work its not good. Ill take him to the hospital tomorrow.
It wasnt fair. As if happiness had to be paid for. Leukaemia. A word that shattered everything.
A new life began. Emily took unpaid leave, holding Tommys hand through needles, drips, tests. Stay strong, my boy. Youve always been my rock. Well get through this.
When exhaustion took over, Michael sent her to rest, staying with Tommy instead. Sleep rarely camejust hours staring at the ceiling.
Then James called, demanding she sign over their half-built house.
Ill see Tommy myself. Hell come to my place.
You could visit him first.
Cant. Im away on business.
Michael squeezed her shoulder.
Emily, well earn our own way. Let go of the past.
Its just I worked so hard for that house.
Dont think about it now. Pour every thought into Tommy. Ill handle the rest. I
