Emily arrived at her mother-in-law’s house half an hour early and overheard words from her husband that changed her life.
She pulled up beside the familiar house and checked her watch. “Too early,” she thought. “But its fineToms mum always loves seeing me.”
She smoothed her hair in the rearview mirror and stepped out of the car, holding a box of freshly baked scones. The sun was shining, and the air smelled of blooming lavender. Emily smiled, remembering how she and Tom used to walk through these quiet gardens before they were married.
Approaching the door, she pulled out a keyher mother-in-law had insisted she have one ages ago. She opened it slowly, not wanting to disturb Margaret if she was resting.
The flat was silent except for muffled voices from the kitchen. Emily recognised her mother-in-laws tone and was about to call out when the next words froze her in place.
“How long can we keep this from Emily?” Margaret asked, her voice tight with worry. “Tom, this isnt fair to her.”
“Mum, I know what Im doing,” replied her husbandwho, by all accounts, shouldve been in an important meeting at work.
“Do you? I think youre making a mistake. I saw the papers on the table. Are you really selling the family business and moving to America? Because of that whats her name Jessica, from the investment firm? The one promising you gold-paved streets in California? What about Emily? She doesnt even know youre filing for divorce!”
The box of scones slipped from Emilys hands and hit the floor with a dull thud. The kitchen fell silent.
A moment later, Tom rushed into the hallway, stunned. His face went pale when he saw his wife.
“Emily youre early.”
“Yes, early,” she said, her voice shaking. “Early enough to hear the truth. Or maybe just in time?”
Margaret appeared behind him, her eyes filled with tears and pity.
“Love”
But Emily was already turning toward the door. The last thing she heard was her mother-in-laws voice:
“See, Tom? The truth always comes out.”
Emily got back in the car and started the engine. Her hands trembled, but her thoughts were crystal clear. She pulled out her phone and dialled her solicitor. If Tom was preparing divorce papers, shed be ready too. After all, she legally owned half the family businessshe wouldnt let her future be decided without her say. “Golden Petals,” the jewellery chain, had been founded by Toms father thirty years ago, starting as a small workshop crafting bespoke pieces before growing into a prestigious brand with fifteen stores across the country.
Emily had joined the company six years ago as a marketing specialist, where shed met Tom. After their wedding, shed thrown herself into the business, introducing new ideas, launching online sales, and expanding international deliveries. Thanks to her, profits had doubled in the last three years. And now Tom wanted to sell it all?
“Meet me in an hour,” she said into the phone. “Ive got some interesting news about a potential sale. Its about Golden Petals.”
Hanging up, Emily smiled. Maybe she hadnt just arrived earlymaybe shed arrived right on time. Now, her future was in her own hands.
The next six months became a gruelling legal battle. Later, Emily learned everything: six months earlier, at an international jewellery exhibition in Rome, Tom had met Jessica Brown, a representative from an American investment firm. Jessica had seen potential in Golden Petals and convinced Tom to sell, offering him a seat on the board of a new venture in Silicon Valley.
Tom, whod always felt overshadowed by Emilys success and burdened by family expectations, saw this as his chance to carve out his own legacy. Plus, a romance had sparked between him and Jessica, whod already found them a house near San Francisco.
In court, Tom was confident hed retain control, arguing that Golden Petals was his fathers legacy. But he hadnt counted on Emilys foresightshed kept every document proving her contributions to the businesss growth.
By the third hearing, financial reports showed how her marketing strategy and online expansion had driven profits up.
Standing by the window, watching the lavender bloom, Emily realised true wealth wasnt in jewelleryit was in knowing your own worth.
