**Diary Entry**
I saw the bruise under my daughters eye, and with one phone call, her husbands life was ruined.
Emily stood in the doorway, greeting us with her usual warm smile. Only the dark, swollen eye betrayed what she refused to speak about.
Mum, its nothing, dont worry, she said quickly, noticing her mothers sharp gaze.
Margaret sighed deeply. Its your life, love. You have to live it
Her father, James, didnt even acknowledge his son-in-law. He walked slowly to the window and stared blankly, as if he hadnt heard his daughter muttering something about a cupboard and the dark.
I just… tripped last night. Honestly, Mum, everythings fineme and Andrew are fine!
Fine? Emily remembered exactly what had happened. Andrew, always quick to anger, hadnt just shouted at her. When shed dared to say shed had enough, hed grabbed her by the collar of her dressing gown so hard it tore at the seam.
What, you stupid cow, you forget who keeps a roof over your head?! hed snarled, shaking her. Forgot how I dragged you back from the pub when you ran off to that Daniel? Forgot who loved you, you daft bitch? I carried you in my arms!
Thenthe punch. Hard, deliberate. Stars flashed behind her eyes before the pain set in. And Andrew, still spewing filth.
Yes, love. Cupboard… dark, Margaret murmured, though she knew better.
She felt guilty. She was the one whod pushed Emily to marry Andrew. She was the one whod driven Daniel away, convinced he was a bad influence.
That wardrobe of yours must have fists, dear, Margaret said dryly, eyeing her son-in-law.
James never turned from the window. He stepped onto the balcony to smoke. Unlike his wife, hed never approved of Andrew. The man was hollowselfish, charmless. Yes, he came from moneyflat in London, flash car, connections. But rotten inside.
Now the rot showeda bruise under my daughters eye.
Of course, James couldve grabbed Andrew by the lapels and laid him out. But that wouldve just caused a scene. He barely held back. So he went outside.
Hed handle this differently. And he already knew how.
Hed spent a long time on the phone out there.
Meanwhile, Emily bought her mother tea, chatting about nothing. Half an hour later, her parents left.
Andrew, expecting a row, finally relaxed. He slumped on the sofa, cracked open a lager, even smirked. In his mind, their silence meant approval. Family sticks together. Bruises happen. No one rats you out.
See, Em? Told you itd blow over, he drawled, smug. Your parents are decent. Not like you whinging at me last night. So I had a few pintswhats the harm?
He took a swig and reached for crisps.
His relief didnt last.
Not even half an hour later, someone knocked. Not rangknocked. Firm, certain. Andrew froze mid-sip, then set the can down stiffly.
He peered through the peepholeand paled.
Daniel stood there. His rival. Emilys ex. The one whod almost married her. Tall, confident, in a sharp suit, with that grin that made women weak and men want to hit him.
What dyou want? Andrew snapped, opening the door just enough to glare.
Step aside, Daniel said coolly, shoving past him.
Andrew stumbled back like a ragdoll.
Emily stood, wide-eyed. Daniel
Pack a bag, he cut in. My place or your parents. Doesnt matter. But youre done with this loser.
Who you calling a loser, you prick? Andrew spat, but he stayed rooted, cornered.
He had reason to fear Daniel.
I called you, Andy, Daniel smiled. Didnt want to interfere. But when your father-in-lawa proper blokerang me saying you hit her Well. I took over.
W-what?! Andrew choked.
Not personally, of course, Daniel chuckled. But that bar you lease? Belongs to a mate of mine. Very good mate. Youll get noticelease wont renew. Got it?
Andrews knees buckled.
Plus, I tallied six months back rent. Remember when they said rates might rise if profits did? They didsix months ago. Notice sat on your desk. You didnt read it. Now? Debt. Big, ugly debt.
Daniel leaned in. And I know youre skint. Shouldve spent less on booze and birds.
Andrew crumpled like a deflated balloon.
Thisthis is a setup! he wheezed.
Sue me, Daniel shrugged. But your solicitor? Quit. Or did you sack him? Wholl fight for you now? Your barman with the nose ring?
Andrew gaped, silent.
Em, lets go. Dont bother with your things. Ill replace them. This junk? Not worth it.
Daniel, wait, Emily frowned. This is sudden.
Sudden is taking a fist to the face and making excuses for it. Everything else is too slow.
He held out his hand. She took it.
Youre all mad! Andrew roared. This is my house! My wife!
Wife? Daniel scoffed. Youre the bloke who hits her, then hides behind a pint and telly? Youre not a man. Youre a joke.
Andrew spluttered.
Take me to court. Tell them about the wardrobe. Or how your bar failed because you drank instead of worked.
Emily followed Daniel without a glance back. Only at the door did she pause:
Sorry, Andrew. Goodbye.
Piss off, then! he snarled.
And they left.
Two days later, Andrew sat in an empty flat. Bar shut. Papers on the tablelease denial, debt notice.
Daniel wasnt just an ex. He was an ex with means. Hed waited. Struck perfectlyswift, brutal, flawless.
Meanwhile, Emilys parents home was calm. Her mother cooked; her father read the paper.
Emily walked in.
Hi.
Whereve you been? Andrew called, her father said sternly.
With Daniel.
So you left him?
Yes.
Her mother clasped her hands. Her father nodded.
Good. And know thisif that waste of space ever comes near you again, Ill break his nose myself.
Dad did you call Daniel?
Course. Who else? He winked. Hes a good lad. Proper businessmanunlike that one.
Thank God youre rid of him! her mother cried. Forgive me, loveI nearly ruined your life.
Oh, Mum, her father laughed. But shes learned. Thats what matters.
Outside, Daniel leaned against his black Range Rover, smirking. He knew. No one would ever hurt Emily again.
Well, maybe with loveand pleasant surprises. But thats another story.
**Lesson:** A fathers silence isnt approval. Its a storm gathering. And when it breaks, it leaves no shelter for cowards.
