**Diary Entry 12th June**
After ten years of marriage, she left me for another man. A year later, she returnedpregnant and broken.
I met my wife, Emily, nearly twelve years ago. Back then, I was still studying at the engineering school in Manchester, living in student halls. Emily had just arrived from a small village in Cornwall, lost and alone in this loud, unfamiliar world. We didnt grow close straight away. At first, I hardly noticed hershe was so quiet, always keeping to herself with her books, speaking barely a word.
But time worked its magic. After a few months, we started talkingfirst hesitantly, then every evening without pause. She confided her doubts in me; I shared my dreams for the future. Soon, we were given a couples roomthe warden trusted us, seeing how serious we were. Thats how our life together began.
I always knew what I wanted. To be a solid man, a pillar, capable not only of building walls but filling them with the warmth of a home. I told her plainly: You wont work. A woman should care for the home and children. And if a man cant provide for his family, he isnt a man. She didnt argue. She cooked, cleaned, waited for me each evening. We were a proper family.
Over the years, I climbed the ladder. I joined a construction firm, worked my way up to site manager, then started my own company. We bought a house in the suburbs, two carsone for me, one for her. We lived as wed dreamed. Everything, except one thing: children. The years passed, and the house stayed silent. We saw dozens of doctors, spent thousands of pounds, endured test after test Nothing worked. I hid my pain. She stayed quiet too, but her eyes were empty. One day, we gave up. If fate denied us this, it just wasnt meant to be.
Then everything collapsed. Without warning. Without a chance to understand.
I came home early that dayto beat the rush hour. No car in the drive. The gate wide open. Strange. I waited. The evening stretched on, endless. Then, a text from an unknown number:
*Forgive me. I cant live a lie any longer. Theres someone else. Hes going home, and Im going with him. Ive betrayed you, but maybe one day youll understand*
The world fell away beneath me. I sat on the floor in the house Id built for two, now only one. Only James, my best friend and business partner, pulled me through. He stopped me from drowning in drink or walking away from everything.
Time passed. I learned to breathe again. I saw Emily in photos onlinestanding in front of the Scottish Highlands. She was living somewhere up there. Impossible to wipe her from my mind. Everything here spoke of her. I prayed for her return. And the universe listened.
A year later, to the day, the doorbell rang. I opened it and nearly collapsed. It was her. Thin, shattered, clothes worn and dirty. And that belly. Huge. She was near the end of her pregnancy.
Emily fell to her knees, sobbing, begging for forgiveness. Her lover had thrown her out. Shed betrayed him too, and hed cast her aside. She had nothing left: no money, no home, no hope. Except me.
You can judge me. Call me weak, say I shouldve slammed the door in her face. But you know what? I couldnt. Because despite everything, I still loved her. Because even through the pain, I wanted her beside me. Because I knew one thing: everyone deserves a second chance. And if I didnt forgive her, Id lose myself.
Years have passed. We have a son nowthe one I thought Id never have. I love him as if he were my own, because he is: by my choice, by my love. And I love Emily, even if the scar on my heart will never fade.
Ive never thrown the past in her face. Never held it against her. Because to truly love someone is to choose to stay. No matter what.
