**Diary Entry**
During the divorce, my wealthy husband, Edward Whitmore, decided to leave me with nothing but a derelict farm in the middle of nowhere. A year later, something happened that left him utterly stunned.
“Ned, you know I dont need you here, dont you?” I said firmly. “You should go back to the city.”
“What city are you talking about?” he replied, exhausted. He had been betrayed by the person he trusted most, and I no longer had the energy to argue. Wed started from scratchsold our flat, invested everything into our business. Ned had contributed nothing but a cramped room in a shared flat, while I had built our success with my own intelligence and hard work. Wed lived modestly, moving from one rented place to another, until finally, we found stability.
Over time, Ned began acting like the sole proprietor. Sneakily, he transferred all our assets into his name, ensuring Id get nothing after the divorce. Once he had full control, he filed the papers.
“Does this seem fair to you, Ned?” I asked, disappointed.
He shrugged indifferently. “Dont start again. You havent contributed in ages. I do everythingyou do nothing.”
“You told me to take a break and focus on myself,” I replied calmly.
Ned sighed irritably. “Im sick of these pointless arguments. By the way, remember that old farm I inherited from my former boss, Mr. Harrington? He passed and left me that worthless piece of land. Its perfect for you. Take it or get nothing.”
I smiled bitterly. After twelve years together, I realised Id lived with a stranger.
“Fine, on one conditionthe farm must be legally transferred to my name.”
“No problem. Saves me taxes,” he sneered.
I packed my things and moved to a hotel, determined to start over, whether the farm was salvageable or just barren land. Id find out when I got there. If it wasnt worth it, Id return to London or find another way to rebuild my life.
I loaded my car with only the essentials, leaving the rest behind with Ned and his new girlfriend. If he thought hed ever rely on my expertise again, he was sorely mistaken. His new partner, whom Id only seen a few times, seemed more arrogant than clever.
Ned handed me the deeds with a mocking grin. “Good luck.”
“And to you,” I replied evenly.
“Dont forget to send me a picture of the cows,” he laughed.
Without a word, I shut the car door and drove away. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I left the city behind. I didnt know how long Id been crying when a gentle tap on the window startled me.
“Are you alright, love? My husband and I saw you sitting here for a while,” an elderly woman asked kindly.
I glanced at her, then at the bus stop in the rear-view mirror. “Im finejust overwhelmed.”
She nodded understandingly. “Were on our way back from the hospital. Our neighbours all alone thereno one visits. Are you heading toward York?”
I raised an eyebrow. “York? Thats where the farm is?”
“Yes, though its hardly a farm now. The owner passed, and no ones tended to it. Just a few kind souls still look after the animals.”
I smiled faintly. “What a coincidencethats where Im going. Hop in.”
The elderly woman took the passenger seat, her husband in the back. “Im Emily,” I introduced myself as I drove.
“Im Margaret Taylor, and this is my husband, George,” she replied warmly.
Along the way, I learned about the farmwho had stolen from it, who still cared for the animals, and how run-down it was. When we arrived, I saw empty fields and a crumbling barn, with only twenty cows left. Still, I chose to stay and fight for a new beginning.
A year later, I watched proudly as eighty cows grazed peacefully on my lush green fields. Id turned the derelict farm into a thriving business. It hadnt been easyId sold my jewellery for feed and spent my last savings. But now, demand was growing, and my products were sought after even in neighbouring counties.
One day, a young woman named Charlotte brought me a newspaper ad for refrigerated lorries at a good price. I recognised the phone numberit belonged to Neds company. With a sly smile, I asked her to call and offer 5% above asking, on the condition they werent shown to other buyers.
When I went to inspect them, Ned was there, stunned.
“Youre buying them?” he asked incredulously.
“Yes, for the farm you gave me. Its doing brilliantlywere expanding,” I said calmly.
Ned was speechless. While his life unravelled, Id left the past behind.
In the end, I found true love with James, a mechanic who helped me improve the farm. Together, we celebrated our daughters christening, while Ned could only watch from afar as his life fell apart.
