“Dad, meet my future wife, your daughter-in-lawEmily!” beamed William, his face glowing with happiness.
“What?!” gasped Professor Edward Whitmore, his eyes wide with shock. “If this is a joke, its not remotely amusing.”
He glared in disgust at his sons rough-handed fiancée, her nails caked with dirt. To him, she looked as though shed never heard of soap and water.
*Good Lord, thank heavens my dear Margaret isnt alive to see this disgrace! We raised this boy with the finest manners!* he fumed silently.
“Its not a joke!” William shot back defiantly. “Emilys moving in, and were getting married in three months. If you wont be at my wedding, Ill manage without you!”
“Hello!” Emily smiled warmly, bustling toward the kitchen. “I brought steak-and-kidney pies, blackberry jam, dried mushrooms” She listed the contents of her worn-out sack as she unpacked.
Edward clutched his chest, watching in horror as the pristine tablecloth was stained with jam.
“William, come to your senses! If this is revenge, its too cruel Where did you even find this simpleton? Shes not staying under my roof!” the professor shouted.
“I love Emily. And my wife has every right to live in my home!” William smirked, clearly taunting him.
Realising his son was mocking him, Edward stormed off to his study without another word.
Lately, their relationship had deteriorated. After his mothers death, William had spiralleddropping out of university, speaking rudely, living recklessly. Edward had hoped hed change, return to the intelligent, kind young man he once was. But with each passing day, William drifted further away. And now, this country girla stranger to refinementstood in his home.
Soon, William and Emily married. Edward refused to attend, unwilling to accept this unwanted daughter-in-law. He seethed, furious that Margarets placeonce filled by a woman of elegancehad been taken by this uneducated girl who could barely string a sentence together.
Emily, ignoring his disdain, tried to win him over, only making things worse. Edward saw nothing in her but ignorance and poor manners.
William, briefly playing the dutiful husband, soon returned to drinking and carousing. Edward often overheard their arguments, secretly hoping Emily would leave for good.
“Edward, your son wants a divorceand hes throwing me out! And Im pregnant!” Emily burst in one day, tears streaming.
“First of all, why the streets? Surely youve somewhere to go And pregnancy doesnt grant you rights to stay here after separation. Forgive me, but I wont interfere,” he said coldly, privately relieved to be rid of her.
Confused and heartbroken, Emily packed her things. She couldnt understand why Edward had despised her from the startor why William had treated her so cruelly. Just because she was from the countryside didnt mean she lacked a soul.
***
Eight years passed Edward lived in a retirement home, weakened by age. William, seizing the opportunity, had swiftly institutionalised him to avoid responsibility.
Resigned to his fate, Edward accepted there was no going back. Hed spent his life teaching thousands about love, respect, and careletters of gratitude from former students still arrived. Yet hed failed his own child
“Edward, youve a visitor,” his roommate announced after a stroll.
“Who? William?” the old man exclaimed, though he knew better. His son would never comehe loathed him.
“Dunno. Just said to fetch you. Go on, then!”
Edward grabbed his cane and shuffled toward the visitors lounge. Halfway down the hall, he recognised her.
“Hello, Emily,” he murmured, bowing his head. Guilt weighed heavyhed failed to defend the kind, simple girl all those years ago.
“Edward!” she gasped. “Youve changed so much Are you ill?”
“A little,” he smiled sadly. “How did you find me?”
“William mentioned it. He still refuses to speak to his son. But the boy keeps asking about his father and his grandfather. Jonathans done nothing wrong, yet youve both shut him out. He needs family,” she said shakily. “Forgive meperhaps I shouldnt have come.”
“Wait!” Edward pleaded. “How is he? The last photo you sent, he was only three.”
“Hes here, by the entrance. Shall I fetch him?”
“Please do!”
A chestnut-haired boyWilliams spitting imageentered timidly. Jonathan hesitated before approaching the grandfather hed never met.
“Hello, lad Look how tall youve grown,” Edward whispered, embracing his grandson.
They talked for hours, strolling through the autumn leaves in the garden. Emily spoke of her strugglesher mothers early death, raising a child alone, managing the farm.
“Forgive me, Emily,” Edward said. “I was wrong. I prided myself on intellect and breeding, but only lately have I learned to value sincerity and heart above all.”
“Edward weve an offer,” Emily said nervously. “Come live with us. Youre alone, and so are we. Wed love to have family close.”
“Grandad, please come! Well go fishing, mushroom picking The countrysides beautiful, and theres plenty of room!” Jonathan begged, clutching his hand.
“Lets go,” Edward smiled. “I failed Williamperhaps I can give Jonathan what I never gave his father. Besides, Ive never lived in the country. I think Ill like it.”
“You will!” Jonathan laughed.
**Lifes greatest lessons often come too latebut its never too late to mend a broken bridge.**
