“Listen here! I’m wealthy now, and it’s time we divorce,” declared the husband with a smug grin, oblivious to the storm he was stirring.
“You can’t possibly fathom how your dullness grates on me,” sneered Edward, his eyes cold. “Ive outgrown a plain Jane like youI deserve better!”
“Do you honestly believe money elevates you?” Emily replied, her voice trembling as she fought back tears.
The warm glow of the evening sun bathed the kitchen where Emily stood, preparing supper. The aroma of shepherds pie and freshly baked scones filled the air.
Edward burst through the door, waving an envelope triumphantly.
“Emily! Youll never guess!” he exclaimed, still in his shoes. “Ive inherited a fortune from a distant uncle! Were set for life!”
Emily turned, wiping her hands on her apron.
“Thats wonderful, Ed,” she said gently. “But who was this uncle? Weve never heard of him.”
“Who cares?” Edward laughed, kissing her cheek. “Now we can have everything weve ever wanted!”
Emily frowned slightly but didnt get a word in as Edward launched into grand plans, gesturing wildly over luxury cars and holidays.
By the next morning, however, Edward was unrecognisable. He regarded Emily with contempt, barking orders and boasting of his newfound status as though hed been knighted.
“Emily,” he announced over breakfast, avoiding her gaze, “now that Im wealthy, we ought to reevaluate our marriage.”
Emily froze, her teacup halfway to her lips.
“What do you mean?” she whispered.
“Im on a different tier now,” he said, biting into toast. “Youre just… ordinary.”
Emily, stunned, met her closest friendsSophie and Claireat a cosy café in Bath.
“Girls, you wont believe this,” she blurted. “Edwards come into money and thinks Im beneath him!”
Sophie scoffed. “Ridiculous! What relative just *appears* out of thin air?”
Claire leaned in, concerned. “What will you do?”
Emily sighed. “I dont know. Hes become insufferablearrogant, cruel…”
Sophie shook her head. “Maybe its a phase? The shock of sudden wealth?”
Claire, thoughtful, murmured, “Or perhaps this is who hes always been.”
Days passed, and Edward grew worse. Though the money hadnt yet cleared, he strutted like a lord, sneering at Emilys “mediocrity.”
“Emily, fetch my suit!” he snapped one morning. “Ive a meeting with *important* people.”
She silently obliged, then steeled herself. “Edward, we need to talk.”
“Not now,” he dismissed. “Ive no time for trifles.”
That evening, Emily confided in Sophie and Claire over tea. “I cant bear it. He treats me like a servant.”
Sophies eyes flashed. “The nerve! He hasnt a penny yet and already acts the tyrant.”
Claire squeezed her hand. “Were here, Emily. Youll get through this.”
But Edwards cruelty escalated. He accused Emily of gold-digging, twisting her devotion into greed.
“Admit it,” he taunted. “Youre just waiting to spend my inheritance.”
Emilys heart shattered. “After ten years together, *this* is what you think of me?”
One evening, Sophie and Claire dropped a bombshell.
“Emily,” Sophie began guiltily, “the inheritance letter… it was fake. We orchestrated it.”
Emily paled. “*What?*”
Claire rushed to explain. “We wanted to reveal Edwards true nature before you inherited *real* wealth. A solicitor from Londons been trying to reach youabout a *genuine* fortune.”
Emily gaped. “You… *tested* him?”
Sophie nodded. “We feared money would corrupt him. And it did.”
That night, Emily confronted Edward. “I know the letter was a ruse. But your behaviour? That was real.”
Edward spluttered, veins bulging. “Youd believe them over me? Theyre jealous!”
“No,” Emily said calmly. “They showed me who you are. Pack your things.”
As he stormed out, Emily weptnot for the marriage lost, but for the illusion shattered.
Days later, the solicitor confirmed her *actual* inheritance. Over champagne, Sophie and Claire toasted her.
“To freedom, fortune, and *true* friends,” Claire declared.
Emily smiled through tears. “To new beginnings.”
And as the bubbles danced in her glass, she realised: wealth reveals character, but loyalty*true* loyaltyis priceless.
