In the sprawling heart of London, Edward Whitmore was a name known to manya shrewd restaurateur with a chain of high-end eateries, even expanding to a couple in Manchester. He was a man of steel, unforgiving, with every corner of his world neatly secured and paid for.
He lived with his family in a countryside estate, though they owned several city apartments. The countryside was preferablecleaner air, quieter nights, nestled by a serene lake with a dense wood just beyond.
His only daughter, Emily, had just finished school and aced her final university entrance exam.
“Daddy,” she called him, breathless with excitement, “I got in! No strings pulledmy names right there on the list. Im officially a student!”
“Congratulations, love. Knew youd do it. A gifts in order.”
“You promised me the newest iPhone,” she teased.
“Consider it already in your pocket,” he laughed.
Had Emily failed, Edward would have pulled every string to secure her place. But his pride swelled knowing shed done it on her own.
Margaret, her mother, had set the table for a celebratory dinner. Edward arrived home, earlier than usuala rarity for a man who typically staggered in late, tangled in business dinners, golf club meetings, or discreet affairs with younger women. A busy man, after all.
Emily had always lived in luxurydesigner clothes, gourmet meals, a circle of equally privileged friends. Those outside her world assumed her arrogant, but they didnt know her. Beneath the wealth, she had a gentle heart and sincerity in love.
By her third year at university, she was often out with friends, usually at one of her fathers restaurants. For the past six months, shed dated Daniel, a fellow student from moneythough where Emily earned her grades, Daniel bought his. He was cruel, mocking those less fortunate, sneering at modestly dressed girls.
Emilys patience wore thin.
“Daniel, have some decency. Not everyone has your privileges.”
He never listened.
“Im ending things with Daniel,” she confided in her best friend, Charlotte. “Im ashamed of him.”
Charlotte agreed. “He thinks the world owes him everything.”
The breakup was explosive.
“Youll regret this,” Daniel spat.
Emily walked away without looking back.
For months, she stayed single, though suitors flockedeven Daniels friends, relieved shed cut him loose. Then, one evening, she and Charlotte stopped at one of her fathers cafés. A waiter approachedtall, warm-eyed.
“Good afternoon. What can I get you?”
His gaze locked with Emilys, and she felt something shift.
“Like two deep pools,” she thought. Charlotte smirked.
They ordered, but Emily couldnt shake the encounter.
“Youre smitten,” Charlotte teased.
“That look of hisit felt like he saw right through me.”
“Dont be daft. Hes not your type.”
But he was. Matthew, a final-year engineering student, worked there to support himselfhis mother lived in a small village, leaving him to fend for himself.
Emily returned the next day. Few customers lingered. When Matthew spotted her, he flushedhed felt it too.
“Matthew, how long have you worked here?”
“Four months. Just part-time. Im not supposed to chat with customers, but Id like to.”
“Then finish your shift. Ill wait.”
That evening, they walked for hours. Matthew, uneasyEmily drove a luxury car; he took the Tube. But his kindness, his quiet confidence, won her over.
Their secret romance bloomeduntil Daniel, spiteful, informed Edward.
Her father was livid.
“An *waiter*? Youre humiliating me!”
“Hes graduating soonhes just working to get by!”
“Find someone from *our* world, or Ill make life miserable for both of you.”
Emily wept. She loved Matthew fiercely. They dreamed of marriage, a futureuntil Edward intervened.
Using his connections, Edward had Matthew fired, then threatened him.
“Leave London. If I see you near my daughter again, youll regret it.”
With no choice, Matthew fled. He tried calling Emilyher number was disconnected. No way to reach Charlotte.
Emily was shattered.
“Father said he left. He had no choice,” she whispered, heartbroken.
Years passed. Emily married a man her parents chosea disastrous union ending in divorce.
Then tragedy struck. Edward died in a car crash.
With Margarets encouragement, Emily took over the business, guided by Edwards trusted manager, Geoffrey.
Business thrivedbut her heart remained empty.
Then, one New Years, Charlotte invited her to Edinburgh.
“Come with us! My husbands mum has space.”
Something drew Emily there.
Walking along Princes Street, she collided with a manand froze.
Those eyes.
“Matthew,” she gasped.
He pulled her close, as if fearing shed vanish.
“I never stopped loving you,” he murmured.
The days that followed were a blur of joy.
Their reunion wasnt chanceit was fate.
A year later, they married. Matthew moved back, leaving his prestigious joblove outweighed ambition. Soon, they welcomed a son, then a daughter.
At thirty, Emilys life found its true meaning.
Because you cant replace the one you love.
