During the divorce, a wealthy husband decided to leave his wife an abandoned farm in the middle of nowhere. But a year later, something happened that stunned him completely.
“You know I dont need you here, Nigel, dont you?” said Margaret firmly. “I suggest you go back to the city.”
“What city are you talking about?” he replied wearily. She had been betrayed by the person she trusted most, and she no longer had the strength to argue. They had started from scratch, sold their flat, and poured everything into their business. Nigel had contributed nothing but a tiny room in a shared apartment, while Margaret had built their success with her wit and dedication. They lived modestly, moving from one rented place to another, but eventually, they found stability.
Over time, Nigel began acting like the true owner. Cunningly, he transferred all their assets into his name, ensuring Margaret would get nothing after the divorce. Once everything was under his control, he filed for separation.
“Does this seem fair to you, Nigel?” Margaret asked, disappointed.
He shrugged indifferently. “Dont start this again. Youve contributed nothing for ages. I do everything, and you do nothing.”
“You told me to take a break and focus on myself,” she replied calmly.
Nigel sighed in irritation. “Im tired of these pointless arguments. By the way, remember that old farm I inherited from my former boss, Mr. Whitaker? He died and left me that worthless patch of land. Its perfect for you. Take it or get nothing.”
Margaret smiled bitterly. She knew exactly what he was doing. After twelve years together, she realised she had been living with a stranger.
“Fine, but on one conditionthe farm must be legally transferred to my name.”
“No problem. Ill save on taxes,” Nigel replied with a mocking grin.
Margaret said nothing more. She packed her things and moved to a hotel, determined to start over, no matter what awaited heran abandoned farm or just barren land. Shed find out when she got there. If it wasnt worth it, shed return to the city or find another way to rebuild her life.
She loaded her car with only the essentials, leaving the rest behind with Nigel and his new lover. If he thought he could still rely on her experience and intelligence, he was sorely mistaken. His new partner, whom Margaret had seen only a handful of times, seemed more arrogant than clever.
Nigel handed her the deeds with a sneer. “Good luck.”
“And to you,” Margaret replied evenly.
“Dont forget to send me a picture of the cows,” he laughed.
Without responding, she shut the car door and drove away. As she left the city behind, tears began streaming down her cheeks. She didnt know how long shed been crying when a gentle tap on the window snapped her back to reality.
“Are you alright, dear? My husband and I saw you sitting here for a while,” an elderly woman asked kindly.
Margaret looked at her, then into the rearview mirror, where she spotted a bus stop. She smiled faintly.
“Im fine. Just feeling a bit overwhelmed.”
The woman nodded sympathetically. “Were on our way back from the hospital. Our neighbour is all alone thereno one visits. Are you heading to Shropshire?”
Margaret raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Shropshire? Thats where the farm is?”
“Yes, though its hardly a farm now. The owner passed away, and no ones looked after it. Just a few kind souls still tend to the animals out of love.”
Margaret smiled slightly. “What a coincidencethats exactly where Im going. Hop in, Ill give you a lift.”
The elderly woman took the front seat, while her husband settled in the back.
“Im Margaret,” she introduced herself as she drove.
“Im Evelyn Whitmore, and this is my husband, George,” the woman replied warmly.
Along the way, Margaret learned much about the farmwho had been stealing, who still cared for the animals, and how derelict the place had become. When they arrived, she saw empty fields and a crumbling barn, with only twenty cows left. Still, she decided to stay and fight for a fresh start.
A year later, Margaret watched proudly as eighty cows grazed peacefully on her lush green fields. She had turned the abandoned farm into a thriving business. It hadnt been easyshed sold her jewellery to buy feed and spent her last savings. But now, sales were booming, and her products were in demand even in neighbouring counties.
One day, a young woman named Lucy brought her a newspaper with an advert for refrigerated lorries at a good price. Margaret recognised the phone numberit belonged to Nigels company. With a sly smile, she asked Lucy to call and offer 5% more, on the condition the vehicles werent shown to other buyers.
When Margaret went to inspect them, she ran into Nigel, who was stunned.
“Youre buying them?” he asked incredulously.
“Yes, for the farm you gave me. Its become quite the successwere expanding,” she replied coolly.
Nigel couldnt speak. While his own life unravelled, Margaret had left the past behind.
In the end, Margaret found true love with James, a mechanic who helped improve the farm. Together, they celebrated their daughters christening, while Nigel could only watch from afar as his own life fell apart.
