Broken heart: a tale of betrayal and salvation
Tom, Im pregnant! she announced the moment she crossed the doorway, giving her husband no time to guess. He froze, glanced aside and sighed: Well if thats how it turned out and kissed her cheek hurriedly, as if trying to outrun his own feelings.
Emily had first fallen for James while she was still a university student. He worked at the firm where she was completing her placement. Young, handsome, already deputy department manager he seemed to belong to another world. A modest girl from a Yorkshire village had never imagined he would ever notice her. Yet on the final day of her placement he walked over, handed her a box of chocolates and asked her to join him for an evening drink. Thus began their story.
On their first date he confessed that he had grown up without parents. His mother had remarried and left, leaving him in his grandmothers care. Emily did not tell him that her own parents had never taken an interest in her. Her childhood had been cold and indifferent, lacking even a speck of warmth. Both knew what loneliness meant, and perhaps that is why they clung to each other so quickly.
A month later Emily moved into Jamess rented flat. Soon after they were married modest, unpretentious, but hopeful. They dreamed of a future, of a house of their own, of a quiet life. The only thing that set them apart was the question of children. Emily had long wanted a baby, while James kept delaying: Were fine as two, why rush?
When the test showed two lines, Emily could not summon the courage to speak. She feared judgment and reproach. At last she gathered herself.
Well be parents, are you happy? she asked.
I thought that would come later he answered, his disappointment plain.
He did not attend the first ultrasound, waiting in the car while Emily returned with tears and joy in her eyes twins. Two tiny hearts beat within her.
Twins?! James blanched. That wasnt what we agreed on. You must have an abortion!
What are you saying?! Ive seen our children I cant Emily sobbed.
She hoped he would understand eventually, that he would come to terms with the news. But with each passing day he drifted further away, criticizing her for having put on a little weight, insisting she had lost her shape. She tried to ignore it. After the babies were born things only worsened.
Lucy and Molly the twins became the centre of her world. And James he stayed late at work, withdrew, refused to help. Emily endured it all for the children, for love, for family.
When the girls were a year and a half old, Emily mentioned returning to work. James sat opposite her, his eyes fixed on the floor:
Youll see I have someone else. Im leaving. I wont abandon the children, but I want to live with her.
Emily was struck dumb.
You promised youd never become like your parents! she spat through her tears.
He left. At first he still turned up, then he vanished for good. Emily was left alone, without money or support. Return to the village? There was no work there. Stay here? There were jobs, but nowhere to live.
Her boss helped her, arranging a room in a university hall. A small, refurbished space for two children she managed as best she could. One afternoon, while trying to push the pram out for a stroll, a voice called out:
May I give you a hand? Im John. I live next door.
He helped without asking questions, then offered assistance with the repairs. He began collecting the girls from nursery. At first Emily recoiled fear held her back but day by day John became a part of their lives.
He was ordinary and dependable. He, too, had known betrayal his wife had walked out for a lover once she learned they could not have children. And now there were two little ones he loved with all his heart.
When he proposed to Emily, she first turned him down.
I have children. Youll find a woman without them.
I want to be with you. The children arent an obstacle; theyre as my own.
They married, and a week later James returned.
Emily, Im sorry. I understand everything now. Lets start over
Its too late. Im married. My children now have a father. A real one.
John stepped forward from the doorway.
Meet him, my husband.
James looked away, waved, and walked out never to return.
A year passed. Emily and John bought a flat of their own. Where James was now, she never knew, and she never wanted to. For happiness was not the one who promised it, but the one who stayed.
