“Listen to me! I’m wealthy now, and it’s time we divorced,” declared the husband, his voice dripping with arrogance. He had no idea what was coming.
“You dont even see how your mediocrity and plainness grate on me now,” sneered Edward, his eyes flashing with contempt. “I dont need some dull housewifeI deserve better!”
“Do you honestly believe money changes who you are?” Emily shot back, her voice trembling with hurt as she fought back tears.
The golden glow of dusk bathed the kitchen, where Emily stood stirring a pot of beef stew. The scent of freshly baked bread and simmering herbs filled the air.
Edward burst in, waving a letter triumphantly, his grin stretching ear to ear.
“Em! Em! You wont believe it!” he shouted, not even bothering to kick off his muddy shoes. “Ive just been left an inheritancesome distant uncle! Were rich!”
Emily turned, wiping flour-dusted hands on her apron.
“Thats wonderful, Ed,” she replied softly. “But who was this uncle? We never knew”
“Who cares!” Edward laughed, sweeping her into an awkward hug. “Now we can have everything weve ever wanted!”
Emily arched a brow but didnt get a word in as Edward rambled about luxury cars and holidays, his arms flailing with excitement.
But by morning, after a sleepless night dreaming of riches, Edward was a different man.
He regarded Emily with disdain, barking orders, acting as if the letter had crowned him king. Every word dripped with self-importance, as though wealth had rewritten his very soul.
“You know, Em,” he said over breakfast, avoiding her gaze, “now that Im a man of means, we ought to reevaluate our relationship.”
Emily froze, her teacup trembling in her hand.
“What do you mean?” she whispered, her throat tightening.
“Surely you understand,” he said, biting into his toast. “Ive outgrown this life. Youre just ordinary.”
“Other people? What on earth are you saying, Edward?”
“Im saying,” he repeated, as if speaking to a child, “that Im wealthy now. And you well, youre not.”
Emily was stunned. That evening, she met her closest friendsSophie and Graceat a quiet café, her hands shaking as she clutched her tea.
“Girls, you wont believe this,” she began, voice cracking. “Edwards inherited money, and now hes decided Im beneath him!”
Sophie scoffed. “Oh, brilliant. Whered this mysterious uncle crawl from?”
Grace frowned, leaning in. “What are you going to do?”
“I dont know,” Emily sighed. “Hes become vile.”
Sophie shook her head. “Em, are you sure this isnt some mistake? Maybe hes just lost the plot?”
“I wish,” Emily murmured. “But this isnt him.”
Graces frown deepened.
The evening ended with Emily trudging home, where Edward was sprawled on the sofa, flipping through brochures for sports cars. A knot of dread twisted in her chest, but the thought of her friends support kept her standing.
Days passed, and Edward grew worse. Though the money hadnt even cleared, he strutted like a lord, sneering at Emily as if she were hired help.
“Emily! Wheres my suit?” he bellowed one morning. “Ive an important meeting!”
She handed it to him wordlessly.
“Edward, can we talk?” she ventured meekly.
“Not now,” he snapped. “Ive no time for your nonsense.”
Tears pricked her eyes. The man she loved had vanished, replaced by this cold stranger. That evening, she met Sophie and Grace again.
“Girls, I cant take it anymore,” Emily choked out. “He treats me like a servant. Says he needs better company.”
Sophie slammed her cup down. “The absolute nerve! He hasnt even got the money yet!”
Grace squeezed Emilys hand. “Were here, Em. We wont let him break you.”
The days dragged on, Edwards cruelty escalating. He accused her of gold-digging, of clinging to him for his newfound fortune.
“Emily, its clear now,” he sneered one night. “Youre just waiting for my money. Pathetic.”
She stared at him, heart shattering.
“After all these years, is that what you think of me?”
“Actions speak louder,” he scoffed.
That was the final straw.
The next day, Sophie and Grace sat her down, their faces grim.
“Emily,” Sophie started, exchanging a glance with Grace. “We need to tell you something.”
Grace took a breath. “We staged the inheritance letter. It was a test.”
Emily went rigid.
“Youwhat?”
Grace gripped her hand. “We saw how he treated you. We wanted you to see who he truly was. And well, you have.”
Emilys world tilted. Anger, betrayal, reliefall warred inside her.
“How could you?” she whispered.
Sophie winced. “We thought itd wake you up. We never thought hed be this awful.”
Emily sat in silence, then finally spoke.
“You had no right. But now I knowEdwards a monster. And my friends lied to me.”
That night, when Edward returned, Emily faced him, spine steeled.
“Sit down, Edward. We need to talk.”
He rolled his eyes. “Again? Spare me.”
Emily took a steadying breath. “I know about the letter. It was fake.”
Edward paled. “What?”
“My friends set it up. To show me who you really are.”
He shot up, face purpling with rage. “You believe them over me? Theyre jealous!”
Emily stood, eyes blazing. “No. They showed me the truth. You dont deserve meor anyone.”
With a final snarl, Edward stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Sophie and Grace arrived moments later, finding Emily drained but resolute.
“Em, how are you?” Sophie asked gently.
“Better,” Emily admitted. “But why? Why the deception?”
Grace hesitated, then said, “Because three weeks ago, a solicitor from London reached out to me. Hes been trying to contact yousomething about a real inheritance.”
Emily gaped. “A real one?”
Sophie nodded. “We tested Edward first. We had to be sure he wouldnt destroy you if you came into money.”
Tears spilled down Emilys cheeksthis time, of gratitude.
“You did this for me?”
Grace hugged her tight. “Always. Now call that solicitor.”
The call confirmed itEmily was now a wealthy woman.
Sophie popped open champagne, grinning. “To your new life!”
“To freedom,” Grace added.
Emily raised her glass, smiling through tears. “To true friends.”
And as they clinked glasses, Emily knewwhatever came next, she was ready.
