13May2025
I cant bring myself to look at her any longer, so I ended the call with a flattoned I wont forgive you, and hung up. On the other end, my onceradiant wife Emily burst into tears, slumped down the hallway and whispered about her mistake. I didnt hear a word of it.
Emily had once been the pride of her class and of the whole school. She excelled at every exam, and when she left sixth form the headteacher told us she had a brilliant future at university and then in research. Until that fateful encounter with Victor, she believed life would unfold exactly as everyone around her predicted.
Her mother, Margaret, married rather latealmost thirtybecause she didnt want to be tied down. Her final suitor, Ian, was stubborn. He courted the headstrong Lucy for five years, finally winning her hand. Ian didnt just throw a lavish wedding; he bought a modest terraced house in a leafy suburb of Manchester where Lucy instantly felt at home. Their mother-inlaw had died years before Ian met Lucy, so there were no meddling relatives.
Ian had met his future wife through a newspaper advertisement, got to know each other well, and they married before moving to a small town in Wales. Thus Ian had no family ties that could intrude with frequent visits.
Lucy struggled to conceive. Two miscarriages later, a third pregnancy succeeded and Emily was born. Her striking blue eyes, slightly upturned nose and cute freckles melted anyones heart. Her thick, coppertinged auburn hair was a source of pride for her parents, who recalled Ians own mother having the same luxurious locks. Ian saw in Emily the continuation of that legacy.
The most surprising change was Lucy herself. The woman who once thought the world revolved around her became a caring, tender mother and wife. I would return each evening to a tidy, welcoming home where my beautiful spouse waited, and our lively little girl darted about.
One day Lucy confessed that living in a cramped house with a toddler was inconvenient. I said nothing, but six months later we moved to a larger, modern block of flats near the city centre. The new flat had bigger rooms, and Lucy fell in love with the kitchen and the sitting room.
Now we have space to breathe, and Emily will have a proper place to play. Look at all the children in the courtyard, she said.
She was right. The pretty girl quickly attracted attention, and soon a swarm of boys lined up at the balcony, shouting:
Emily, come out, lets go for a walk!
Emily, lets get icecream, Ill buy you two!
Their mothers laughed:
What a commotion shes causedlike there arent any other girls around.
When Emily started Year1 at the primary school opposite our flat, she returned on the third day disgruntled.
Mrs. Thompson sat me with a boy I dont like. He never talks and wont let me see whats in his desk.
Whats his name? I asked, smiling.
Victor. Silly name, and hes a dork.
Lucy, assuming such pairings always blossom into strong love, watched with hope. By the end of the year Emily refused to change seats, and the whole class sat together, swapping only rows. Teachers teased them as a pair, but Emily ignored it. She had grown fond of Victor and wasnt about to let anyone else have him.
In Year9 Victor finally confessed his love and kissed her. Emily was dizzy with joy and embarrassment, and proudly announced to her friends that they were destined to be together forever, just like in the romance films.
Their relationship wasnt always smooth. Impulsive Emily loved to tease Victor, making him nervous with jealousy, flirting with others just to see his reaction. He got into fights because of her, and his own mother sighed:
Dont get involved with her; shes too capricious.
Victor retorted, Emily isnt like thatshes just playing, but she truly loves me. Well stay together till old age.
His mother shook her head, knowing that the more Emily nagged, the quicker Victor would walk away. He inherited his fathers shorttempered nature, and his mother had once been driven away by his own stubbornness.
Victor would lose his train of thought whenever Emily smiled sweetly; the world seemed to pause, leaving only her mischievous eyes. Yet Emily was far from an angel. She could slam doors, call him boring, mock him in front of friends, and then explode in anger, sending him off in a huff before begging for forgiveness.
They also broke up dramatically at the school leavers dinner, only to reconcile three days later, swearing eternal love and strolling along the riverbank, watching the sunset and kissing without a care.
One evening Victor said, Im scared I might lose you. What if you meet someone better?
Emily pressed her cheek to his and replied, Dont be foolish. Who could be better? Well apply to university together. Which course do you want?
I havent decided yet, he admitted. Studying doesnt appeal to me; Id rather work and earn real money.
And where will that take you? she teased. Without education youll be a servant forever.
He bristled, Serve whom?
Even if its just me. Ill get a degree, build a scientific career. What will you do? Sell fruit at a market or sweep the streets?
He snapped, So youre already ashamed of me? Acting like youve earned a doctorate?
Emily lunged, grabbing his hand, but he shook her off and walked away, never looking back. She called him, but he refused to answer.
Later that year Emily didnt get into university. In a fit of spite, she decided to go to a nightclub, thinking Victor would see she was still alive.
At the bar a tall, darkhaired man in his late twenties approached with a cocktail.
Heres your drink, love, he said, flashing a smile.
He introduced himself as James, and offered to toast to new acquaintances and ask her for a dance. He escorted her to the floor and held her close all night. When he saw her off, he whispered, Ill die if you dont call me.
Emily promised she would, and for the first time in months she didnt think of Victor. James courted her diligently, showering her with gifts that left her speechless. Within a month they stood at the register office, exchanging vows in front of a small crowd.
James was over the moon. He loved Emily at first sight and saw no reason to look elsewhere. He accepted her desire to take a year off to decide on a career, and they built a life together. He soon bought a flat in a respectable part of Leeds, and their son, Gleb, was born, named after Jamess grandfather. His mother adored the grandson and visited often, eager to spend time with him.
Everything seemed perfect, yet Emily felt a persistent unease, a lingering sorrow that
