When Edward went off to serve in the army, Emily promised she would wait faithfully for him. And she kept her word she sent him heartfelt letters full of passionate declarations of love, adorned with sketches of flowers and hearts, and she would leave a kiss mark next to the word kiss at the end. She loved him deeply as only one can truly love another and when he was away, minutes felt like hours.
Thats why Emily still couldn’t believe that Edward could have done this to her.
Her heart told her it couldnt be true, that he couldnt have forgotten her. But when her beloved stopped replying to her letters, and later wrote a brief note telling her to forget him, she was forced to accept the truth.
Emily married the first man she happened to meet. Of course, there was no love. She locked away her crushed love and her heart, determined never to let it be hurt again. No one could ever compare to Edward in her affections.
Emily was in the kitchen when the doorbell rang. As usual, wearing her apron and slippers, she went to answer it. Standing before her was Edward, older now, dressed smartly in his officers uniform.
I didnt believe it when they told me youd married, he said, the pain in his eyes so raw it seemed he might cry. I had to come see for myself. But I see now its true. Now I understand why you stopped replying to my letters
He turned to leave, but Emily stopped him.
How can you say that? It was you who wrote telling me to forget you She couldnt tell if he was making excuses or blaming her.
And?.. Edward asked after a pause. Yes, last week I sent my last letter from base, still hoping you were waiting
Emily felt something choke in her throat. He didnt let her get another word in. Tears burned down her cheeks and her mind raced with questions: How? Why?
That same day, Emily went to her parents. Surely they knew more than she did. They had never liked Edward, as he came from a modest background.
Forgive us, love, her mother and father said, voice trembling, We just wanted you to have a better life, to never worry about scraping together pennies to buy the children sweets. Weve lived through that ourselves, and we hoped things would be easier for you.
But you didnt care about your own poverty and married for love. Why did you want to ruin my chance at happiness? How could you do this to me? Emily cried, hurt and bewildered.
With a deep sigh, her mother handed her a bundle of letters.
Reading them quietly in the next room, Emily didnt just cryshe sobbed uncontrollably. In the last letter Edward had spoken of, she found a pressed snowdrop, and next to it hed written: I searched everywhere, but I found this for you.
That evening, Emily had a serious talk with her husband, who saw little beyond his work, money, friends, and as the ever-so-helpful neighbours often hinted maybe even other women. They parted ways quietly.
For the first time in her life, Emily braved the night and walked through the town. But she wasnt afraid anymore, for she was finally heading towards the home of the one who had always truly loved her and whom she had never ceased to love.
In time, all misunderstandings and bitterness faded into memory. Emily and Edward raised two blond sons together. The grandparents delighted in their grandchildren. And everyone knew: true wealth is found where genuine love fills a home.
