He called her a wretched servant and walked away. But when he returned, he got an unexpected surprise.
Catarinano, *Emily*had always heard the same words from her grandmother and mother: “In this family, the women never have luck in love.” Her great-grandmother was widowed at twenty-two, her grandfather died in the factory, and her mother was left alone with a baby before Emily turned three. She didnt believe in curses, but deep down, she feared her love would end in heartbreak too. Still, she dreameddespite herselfof a home, a husband, children warmth.
Her future husband, *James*, worked at the packaging plant where she stacked boxes. Different departments, same canteen. Thats how they fell in love. It happened fast: a few dates, a proposal, marriage. James moved into her two-bed flat, left to her by her nan. Her mum was already gone. At first, it was calm: their first son, then the second. Emily did her bestcooking, cleaning, raising the boys. James worked, brought home the money, but came home less and barely spoke.
When he started returning late, exhausted, with strange perfume on his shirt, she knew. She didnt ask, terrified of being alone with two kids. But one day, she snapped:
*”Think of the boys, please. Im begging you.”*
He just staredcold, silent. No explanations, no shouting. The next morning, she made him breakfast. He didnt touch it.
*”Youre only good for being a maid,”* he sneered.
A week later, he left. Packed his bags and shut the door.
*”Dont leave us!”* she cried in the hallway. *”The boys need their dad!”*
*”Youre a wretched servant,”* he repeated, walking out. The boys heard. Huddled on the sofa, holding hands, confused: *What did we do wrong? Why did Dad leave us?*
Emily didnt crumble. She lived for them. Worked as a cleaner, scrubbed stairs, hauled buckets, taught them to read, hand-washed clothes when the machine broke. The boys grew up fast, helping out. She forgot herself, her dreams. But fate has a way of surprising you.
One day at the supermarket, she dropped a box of tea. A man picked it up and smiled.
*”Need help with your bags?”*
*”Im fine,”* she mumbled.
*”Ill help anyway,”* he said, already lifting her shopping.
His name was *John*. Soon, he was at the shop every day, then walking her home, then showing up at her flat to help with chores. The boys were wary, but he was kind, patient. At their first dinner, he brought cake and white roses. When her eldest teased
*”You play basketball?”*
He laughed. *”Back in school, yeah. Long time ago.”*
Later, he admitted: *”Had an accident. Talk slow, move stiff. My wife left me. If youre not interested, I get it.”*
*”If the boys like you, stay,”* Emily said.
He proposed. And asked to talk to the boys.
*”I want to be a proper dad.”*
That night, she explained. They hugged her.
*”Our dad walked out and forgot us,”* the youngest said. *”Be nice to have one who stays.”*
So John became family. Taught the boys football, helped with homework, fixed shelves, made them laugh. The house came alive. Years passed. The boys became men. *Thomas* fell in love and went to John for advice. Then the doorbell rang.
James stood there.
*”I was a fool. Take me back. Lets start fresh”*
*”Piss off,”* Thomas cut in.
*”That any way to talk to your father?!”* James roared.
*”Dont speak to my son like that,”* John said, stepping forward.
*”We dont need you,”* the youngest added. *”Weve got a dad.”*
They shut the door. For good.
Emily stood there, looking at her three menher protectors, her family, built with blood, sweat, and tears. And at last she was happy.
