**Diary Entry: By the Broken Trough**
From childhood, Emily knew she was beautifuleveryone said so.
“Our daughters such a pretty little thing, stands out from the other girls,” her mother would happily tell colleagues and friends.
And it was true. Everyone saw it, and no one arguedexcept for the neighbour, who was slightly sceptical.
“All children are pretty, but not everyone stays that way,” shed say, then quickly add, “Not that Im saying Emily wont, but it does happen.”
Emily grew up, and by sixth form, she was tall, graceful, and striking. Arrogant and spoiled, she knew men would bend over backwards for herespecially the boys who stared after her with longing.
After school, she didnt get into university, despite dreaming of higher education, so she enrolled in college instead. Back then, education wasnt something you could just buy your way into. She graduated with a diploma in retail management.
“Love,” her mother said, “why dont I get you a job in our factorys lab? Its easy workno heavy lifting, and youve always been delicate.”
“But what about my diploma?”
“Oh, who actually works in their field? And why would you want to go into retail?” Her mother, whod spent her whole life at the factory with Emilys father, had made up her mind.
Emily worked in the lab. By then, shed only grown more beautifuland she knew it. She fell for James, an engineer from the next department. Their love was fiery and intense, and it wasnt long before he proposed.
“Before someone else snatches you away, marry me,” he said with a smile, offering his heart. “Will you?”
“I will,” she answered happily.
Their wedding was like any other at the timeheld in the factory canteen. Back then, in simpler times, everyones wedding was much the same. Not lavish, but packed with guests.
Soon after, Emily discovered she was pregnant.
“James, were going to have a baby,” she told him.
“Thats wonderful, sweetheart. Im so happy,” he said, embracing her.
Their daughter was bornjust as pretty as her mother. Everyone was overjoyed.
Time passed. Their little girl, Sophie, grew, started nursery, while Emily and James worked. After maternity leave, Emily changednot in looks, but in character. She began acting like a queen, belittling James more and more. He spent most of his time with Sophiepicking her up from nursery, reading bedtime stories, tucking her in.
Emily was always busy. She came home late, claiming overtime, though James knew no one in the lab worked extra hours. He was afraid to confront hershed start screaming, and he didnt want Sophie to hear.
“James, your wife was seen with the chief engineer at a restaurant,” colleagues whispered, but he just looked away.
“James, whyd you marry a beauty?” friends would ask. “You know a pretty cake never stays on one plate.”
People said it outrightEmily was popular with men, especially those in high society. Not like James, just an ordinary engineer. Meanwhile, Emily was seeing Anthony, a wealthy businessman. He spoiled herjewellery, expensive gifts.
James became quiet, withdrawn. He took care of everythingSophie, the house. Emily just gave orders: do your homework, buy groceries, clean. He never considered divorcedidnt want to hurt Sophie.
Then the recession hit. The businessman Emily was seeing? His empire crumbled. Others fell too. Anthony was suspected of fraud.
“Emily, if anyone asks about me, dont say much,” he told her. “I have a feeling we wont see each other for a while.”
He was right. Anthony vanishedarrested. Then Emily was called in for questioning. She begged, cried, swore she knew nothing.
Eventually, they let her gono evidence. But her reputation was ruined. Coming home, she felt like shed been drowning in filth. Shed lost everythingher savings, her job. James sold half their things just to keep her afloat. He refused to divorce herfor Sophies sakebut they lived like strangers.
Once, he nearly left, afraid of how Sophie would take it. But a child needs her mother.
Emily, sensing his thoughts, swallowed her pride.
“James, dont leave me. Im sorryit wont happen again.”
He stayed but couldnt bring himself to touch her.
“You slept with other men.”
“I did it for this family,” she said.
She strayed again, this time with a young assistant, Ethan. Old connections and sharp wits helped Emily rebuild. She borrowed money, rented a souvenir stall in a tourist hotspot. Soon, she had her own shop, then another.
“James, Im flying to Turkey for stockpick me up from the airport,” shed order. “Why dont you quit your job and help me?”
“No, Im no salesman,” hed say.
“But I need a mans strength!”
“Plenty of unemployed blokes around,” hed reply flatly.
Emily took Ethan as her assistantand lover. Money flowed, but she and James remained estranged. He knew about Ethan.
“If you paid me any attention, I wouldnt need a helper,” shed snap.
“I cant stand to touch you,” hed say.
Years flew by. Sophie grew up, married, moved to Scotland. New Years Eve cameEmily flew to China, James celebrated in Sweden. When they returned, he stared at her.
“Emilywhats this? You look younger!”
She did. No sagging stomach, no wrinkles. Slim and elegant again.
“How much did this cost?”
She laughed, then said coldly, “Everything. I gave it all up.” She held out her bare hands, emptied her purse. “Chinese magicmassages, acupuncture. Very expensive.”
She refused to agenot with Ethan by her side. To James, she sneered, “Youre old. Look at me.”
“Were the same age!”
She just laughed. The treatments drained her. Then James had a heart attack. He couldnt work, aged overnight.
Emily glanced at him, then the mirror. “God, is that what Id look like?”
“Emily, stay with me,” hed plead.
“I dont have time. Time is money.”
One day, at the shop, Ethan shoved a folder at her.
“Read this.”
“What is it? I dont have time”
“Emily, this makes it official. You own nothing now. Its all mine.”
At the solicitors office, she sat stunned.
“Mrs. Whitmore, Im sorry, but theres nothing I can do.”
“He paid you off, didnt he? Ill pay more!”
“Mrs. Whitmore, my reputation is clean. Ethan did everything legally. You signed the papers.”
“But I thought it was temporary!”
“You shouldve read themor hired me sooner.”
“Your fees are ridiculous.”
“You wanted to cut corners. Now youve lost it all.”
She left like a beaten dog. But at home, a thought struck her.
“I need money. A lot of it.”
“Emily, what about the business?” James asked weakly.
“Gone. But I need cash.”
“We have nothing left.”
“What about the flat?”
“Noplease”
“Well sell it, buy something cheaper.”
“And what will I do?”
“Ill buy you a computer. You can live online.”
She laughed.
Emily knew shed rise againsell the flat, start fresh. Like a phoenix from the ashes. She always did.
