**Diary Entry**
He thought he had outsmarted his wife, locking her away, but she proved sharper in the end.
Emily stood motionless, eyes fixed on the door. The day had finally arrivedthe day she would settle the score with her husband. A dark fire burned in her gaze. Two years of waiting, two years of patience.
Then came the sound of the latch turning. Her pulse quickened. On the bed lay her belongings, neatly stacked beside a bag for packing. A uniformed officer stepped in.
“Time to go, Emily,” the woman said.
Emily rose without hesitation, shoved her things into the bag, and strode out of the cell.
“Cant wait to see your lover, eh?” mocked the guard trailing behind.
Emily ignored her. Head high, she walked. The whispers no longer mattered. Shed endured enough. Now, her tormentors would learn what she was made of.
Memories of three years ago flickered through her mind.
Emily and Richard had been successful entrepreneurs. Their marriage had brought prosperityuntil success poisoned their bond. She knew of his affairs but endured them for the sake of their business. It hurt, yet she remembered the man hed once beenkind, devoted. But love had faded, replaced by stale routine.
She trusted him blindlysigned every document he placed before her. A mistake that cost her everything.
One day, she was accused of large-scale fraud. The evidence? Forged papers. Her own husband had framed her.
The trial was swift. Richard testified against her. A shoddy lawyer, likely bribed, sealed her fate. Five years in prisonbut she served only two for good behaviour.
Inside, she transformed. No longer the timid woman who bent to his will, she forged herself anew. Now, free at last, revenge burned in her chest.
And Richard would be the first to meet the woman shed become.
“Good luck, love,” the guard jeered, clapping her shoulder.
Outside the gates, Emily froze. Fear clawed at her. Two years of planning, and nowcould she do it? Then, a familiar figure approached.
Relief washed over her. *Thank God.* She ran to him. He quickened his pace.
“Emily I cant believe youre here.”
She buried her face in his neck, laughinghalf nerves, half joy. Hed waited just as long. James, Richards closest friend.
Hed visited her from the first day in prison. Believed in her innocence when no one else did. Knew Richards true nature. Later, he confessed his feelingsones hed hidden for years.
By then, Emily felt more than gratitude. Love bloomedhers behind bars, his in freedom. Now, nothing could part them.
“I was afraid you wouldnt come,” she whispered.
He held her tighter. “Never. I wont let you go again.”
She breathed him in, content.
In prison, with Jamess help, shed uncovered the truth. Richard had orchestrated her downfallhis mistress wanted Emilys share of the business. Together, theyd plotted it all.
Now, Emily would return the favour.
James had been Richards confidant. Knew his schemes. Visited their home oftenRichard suspected nothing. After the trial, hed divorced Emily, forgotten her entirely.
“Lets leave,” she muttered. “I need a showerI stink of prison.”
James laughed. “Nonsense. You smell like heaven.”
He kissed her forehead, released her.
Emily laughed, savouring the sound. Free to laugh, free to breathe. No guards, no rules.
Hand in hand, they walked to his car.
Later, wrapped in his robe, hair damp, she sipped coffee in his home. Bliss. Then, resolve hardened her gaze.
“Show me the documents. I need to be sure everythings in place.”
James studied herthis woman whod haunted his dreams for years. His sister worked at their firmhis excuse for visiting, though it was always Emily he sought.
Now she sat in his home, wearing his robe. Happiness, at last.
He retrieved papers from a safe, handed them to her. Emilys smile was razor-sharp. Richards fate was in her hands.
“Tell me everything,” she urged, pulling him down beside her.
James obliged.
“My sister helped. She believed you, too. She slipped the papers into his stackhe signed without reading. Too busy boasting about his latest mistress.”
Emily closed her eyes, savouring the victory. Richard would pay.
She looked at Jamesher saviour, her love. Once blind to his devotion, she saw it now.
“I love you,” she whispered. “When this is over will you marry an ex-con?”
James cradled her face. “Ive waited years for you. Marry me?”
She laughed. “Yes.”
The next day, Emily strode into the companys London officesheels clicking, folder in hand. No one stopped her.
Richard was on the phone, smirking. “Ill pick you up tonight, darling”
He froze when he saw her. Anger twisted his face.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
Emily smiled, crossing her legs as she sat. “I still own half this company. Or did you forget?”
Richard snarled. “Youre nothing to me. Get out before I have you arrested again.”
Her grin turned icy. “Oh, Richard. Youre in no position to threaten me.”
She slid the documents across the desk. “Read these. Copies, of course. The originals are with my solicitor.”
Richard paled as he scanned them.
“Thisthis is a joke.”
Emily leaned in. “You taught me jokes dont belong in business. I learned well.”
Months later, Emily married James. The company was hers again, along with the mansion, the car. Richard vanishedleft with nothing.
The court ruled hed willingly signed everything over.
Victory was sweet. And this time, she celebrated with the man whod helped her reclaim herself.
**Lesson learned:** Betrayal cuts deep, but patience and love can mend even the deepest wounds. And sometimes, the quietest ally is the one who changes everything.
