Mark has just graduated from university and feels its the perfect time to marry his first love from secondary school, Emily. Emily is a lovely, bright, and clever young woman. At the moment, shes busy writing her dissertation for her masters degree. The young couple agree to wed as soon as she finishes her thesis.
Mark decides to tell his mother about their plans, but she doesnt greet the news with joy. Instead, she insists that he should either marry Jane, the girl from next door, or no one at all. She pointedly asks whether his career or his feelings are more important to him. Marks mother has always pictured her son as a highly successful man.
Jane comes from a wealthy family and, on top of that, has been smitten with Mark for years. But Marks heart is with Emily, who doesnt have much money at all; her family is known to be struggling, and her mothers reputation isnt the best. What would people say?
I dont need another daughter-in-law. Suit yourself! his mother says before turning away.
Mark tries time and again to change his mother’s mind, but she remains firm. She finally tells him that if he marries Emily, shell never forgive him. This frightens Mark. Despite seeing Emily for six more months, their relationship slowly fades away.
In the end, Mark marries Jane. Jane is deeply in love with him, but he refuses the idea of a big wedding; he doesnt want Emily to spot any photos and be hurt. Janes background means they move into her parents sprawling house, and her family leverages their connections to help Mark climb the career ladder. But true happiness never finds him.
Mark never wishes to have children. When Jane realises shell never convince him otherwise, she files for divorce herself. By the time this happens, Mark is forty and Jane is thirty-eight. Jane remarries, has a child, and finally finds her own happiness.
Mark often dreams of marrying Emily, and later, he tries to find her, but to no avail; she seems to have disappeared. Eventually, an old acquaintance tells Mark that soon after their break-up, Emily married the first man she met, but he was cruel. He beat her until one day, she passed away.
Following this, Mark moves back into his parents old flat. He drinks heavily, wasting away, always gazing at Emilys photo, unable ever to forgive his mother.
