Emily couldnt believe what was happening to her. Her husband, the one person she had trusted above all, the man she thought was her rock, had just told her, “I dont love you anymore.” The shock was so immense she froze mid-motion, standing there in stunned silence as he rushed around, throwing things into bags and jingling his keys.
As if she didnt have enough to bear. Her father had passed suddenly not long ago, and despite her own grief, shed had to care for her grey-haired mother and younger sister, left disabled at eighteen after a traumatic brain injury. They lived in the next town over. Her little boy, William, had just started Year One. In June, the company she worked for shut down. She was left without a job. And now, her husband
Emily clutched her head, sank into a chair, and wept bitterly.
*God, what do I do now? How do I go on? OhWilliam! I have to fetch him from school!*
The weight of daily responsibility forced her up and out the door.
“Mummy, have you been crying?”
“No, darling, no.”
“Is it about Grandad? I miss him so much.”
“Me too, love. But we have to be strong. Grandad always was. Hes at peace now with Goddont you worry. He earned his rest; he never stopped working while he was alive.”
“Wheres Daddy?”
“Daddy? Oh, hes away on business again. How was school?”
She had to keep going. *He doesnt love me? Fine. You cant force affection.* She must have missed something in the chaos of it all.
While William ate lunch and played with his toy soldiers, Emily logged into her husbands abandoned computer. Shed never done this before, but his email was right there in the corner.
David hadnt deleted his last exchange. He was head over heels in lovejust not with her. For ten years, shed been his “bright little sun,” and after eight years of struggling to conceive, shed also become “our wonderful mum.”
Now, everything had changed. Shed have to adjust.
First, she needed a job. No one cared about her top-tier education. The measly unemployment benefits from the job centre wouldnt cover anything.
What had happened? How had her responsible, dependable, caring husband turned into a stranger overnight? The only explanation that made sense was that hed lost his mind. Their home, built piece by piece, was unfinished. At least the roof held, and one room was livable.
“Oh, how I need work!” Emily wanted to break down again, but there was no time. She *needed* a job.
Days of searching turned up nothing. With a child in Year One and now single, her chances were slim. Then, one evening, her cousin Robert called.
“Em, still no word from him?”
“No.”
“Fancy a job as a stock clerk?”
“Youre serious?”
“Course. I know its rough after David. Part-time, with breaks. You could fetch little Will or sort after-school care. Pays £25K. Not much, but better than now. Well bring potatoes, onions, and a chicken tomorrow.”
“Rob, Ive got hens. They keep us fed with eggs.”
“Let them keep at it then. Dont slaughter them.”
“Thank you. Hows Grace?”
“Managing. Shes a trooper.”
That was Robertnever a complaint. Grace had been through major surgery, was on chemo, yet he never once acted like the weight was his alone. *Its all fine.* Emily sighed. *Theres hope yet. Thank GodHe sees it all. He wont let me down. And thank goodness for family.*
The job was straightforward, and she stole moments alone to cry, to wonder*what went wrong?*
Days slipped into weeks, then months. A year later, Emily realised she could eat again, sleep, laugh, even take joy in Williams little victories. The pain of Davids betrayal only flared when he came to take Will for weekends.
She never stopped him. Their issues shouldnt hurt their son. She ached to ask, *What did I do wrong?* But she knewit wasnt about her. Just a sudden, blinding passion for someone else.
She remembered a line from some film: *Love lasts till the first bend in the roadthen real life begins.* For her, love *was* life. For him?
That autumn felt like summers echowarm, with trees still green, childrens laughter ringing in the streets, asters and chrysanthemums blooming in the front garden. The day she caught Michaels steady gaze was no differentexcept maybe the sun shone brighter, the music from a neighbours window played louder, or fate had simply decided two lonely souls should meet.
“Let me help. You shouldnt carry all that alone.”
“Im used to it.”
“Thats a shame. Someone as lovely as you shouldnt have to.”
“Do you help every pretty woman you see? Stationed outside shops, are you?”
“Waited all day. Finally spotted you.”
She couldnt help but laughand soon they were both breathless with it, tears in their eyes.
“Michael,” he said, offering his hand, amusement still dancing in his gaze.
“Emily.”
“*Emily, Emily, not a missus yet*heard that one?”
“No. But Im not married.”
“Well, now. My lucky day. Finally meet the woman of my dreams, and shes free. Is the rest of the world blind?”
“Youve got charm, Ill give you that. But are you serious when it counts?”
“Dead serious. Em, how about the cinema tonight? Talk, get to know each other.”
“Cant. Need to fetch Will from after-school club.”
“Will? Youve a son? You look twentyhows that possible?”
“Im thirty-five.”
“Me too. Funny, that. But Id have sworn you were younger.”
“And now?”
“Just taking it in. Every man dreams of a son. And here you are, single, with one. Wheres his father?”
“Id rather not talk about that now.”
“Fair enough. Weekend, then. Kids matinee?”
“Weekends, Wills with his dad.”
“Emily, I dont want to push. But if youve a free hour, call me.” He handed her a card. “Im a doctor. Pediatric hematology.”
“Serious work.”
“Leaves little time for chasing pretty women.”
“Alright, Michael. Ill call,” she said simply.
“Ill wait.”
What a glorious autumn that wasas if made just for them. Golden leaves, crisp air, parks full of colour. And then there was *them*, tenderness breaking through past pain, spinning in an autumn dance under falling leaves. They moved carefully, yet to her own surprise, Emily felt drawn to him. Barely six weeks after meeting, she shyly invited him for tea.
“Em, dont take this wrongbut I wont come to yours. Whats happening between us matters too much. Ill handle it myself. Trust me?”
That weekend, they went to a nature reserve where Michael had rented a cottage like something from a fairytale. Inside was cosy, but Emily saw nothing but his warm brown eyes, drowning in them as he pulled her close. She hadnt known intimacy could feel so sweet.
“Michael, where am I? Whats happening? I think Im falling apart. I love you so much. How did I live without you?”
“Youre beautiful. Im the luckiest man alive.”
Months passed, and goodbyes grew harder.
“Marry me, Em.”
“Michael, my divorce isnt final till months end.”
“Then right after. Before someone steals you.”
“Nobodys stealing me. Ive already found the one I want. Butno fuss, alright? Just the registry office, then take me back to that cottage where I first felt like your wife.”
“As you wish, love.”
Robert and Grace were their only witnesses. Her mother and sister sent a joyful telegram. Soon, they moved into a two-bed flat Michael had rented, painting and furnishing it together into a cosy nest.
Michael took special care with Wills room. Theyd met already, but Will, who saw his parents as two halves of an apple, was slow to warm to him.
“Em, dont panic, but lets test Wills blood. Hes too pale.”
“Michael, hes just upset. The divorce hit him hardhe kept hoping wed fix things. I read its worse for a child than losing a parent.”
“Youre right, love. I went through it myselffelt like the world ending. But well check, alright, champ?”
The day Michael came home with his head down, Emily knew.
“Em, dont panic. Wills blood
