Finally, happiness found her.
When Emily married James, she never imagined her new husband would be trapped by a destructive habit. Their relationship moved quickly—he was charming, funny, and bold, proposing to her right at a party, slightly tipsy.
“Em, marry me!” he laughed, leaning in with the unmistakable scent of alcohol on his breath.
“Have you been drinking? Is this really how you propose?” she asked, but there was no real anger in her voice. Emily had dreamed of marriage—most of her friends were already wed.
“Course I have! Celebrating, aren’t I? Come on, don’t keep me waiting—say yes!” He grinned, persistent.
She agreed, but set one condition—drinking only on special occasions. James nodded without hesitation. “Deal.”
What Emily didn’t know then was that James’ father had been a drinker his whole life, and the same weakness clung to his son like a shadow. His mother, Margaret, had often fought with her husband when he poured the boy a glass.
“Ruined yourself—now you’re doing the same to him?” she’d shout, only to be met with laughter. “He’s a man, let him learn.”
After the wedding, the newlyweds settled in Emily’s grandmother’s old house in a quiet town near Manchester. At first, things were fine. James worked, though he often came home smelling of booze, always with an excuse.
“Tom’s lad was born today—how could I not raise a pint? Or it was Dave’s birthday. Or the boss treated us after unloading stock. Respect, innit?”
Emily gave birth to a son, Oliver. But James kept drinking, showing little interest in the boy.
“Why won’t you even hold him? He’s your son!” she’d snap.
“You’re the one who doesn’t want me near him smelling like a pub,” he’d mutter, waving her off.
“Then don’t drink! I’ve asked you a hundred times…”
Years passed—eight of them. James drank more, lost jobs, got fired for turning up drunk. Emily carried everything: the house, their son, their life. The only light came from her mother-in-law, who understood, lent money, bought clothes for Oliver.
“Emily’s a saint. If he had an ounce of decency…” she’d sigh to her sister.
When Oliver turned ten, Emily knew she couldn’t go on. James had become a shell of himself—teeth missing from fights, hair thinning, eyes empty. He felt nothing for his wife or son.
“Leave him,” her coworkers urged. “How much longer will you put up with this?”
But she waited, her heart too soft—she pitied everyone, even the strays she fed, even James.
Then came the real reason. She fell in love. With a new colleague, William.
He’d started at their office just months ago—tall, blue-eyed, with an easy smile that charmed everyone. The boldest women in the office flirted, but he declined politely, firmly.
Divorced, William had moved from Leeds to live with his father. Rumours swirled, but he kept to himself, never giving anyone reason to gossip.
For the first time in years, Emily felt her heart stir. Like it had woken up. She said nothing, not even to herself.
When she filed for divorce, she told her mother-in-law and James outright.
“James, I’m done. Pack your things. I can’t do this anymore.”
He left without a scene—just grabbed his bags and went to his mother’s.
And Emily? It was like being born again.
One evening, as she left work, William called out to her.
“Emily, got a minute? Fancy dinner?”
Her cheeks burned, but she nodded.
They sat in a quiet café, talking about life, work, family. Then he said it.
“I heard about the divorce. And… I won’t pretend—I knew right away. You’re the one.”
She froze. Those were the words she’d waited for.
“I had no idea…” she whispered.
“But I did,” he smiled. “I just wasn’t sure I should say it.”
From then on, they were inseparable. Emily laughed when jealous coworkers teased,
“Bloody hell, quiet Emily nabbing William? How’d you manage that?”
She didn’t answer. She didn’t care. Her heart was calm, warm.
James stayed away, but Margaret visited often—to see Oliver, to support Emily. She understood why her son had been sent packing. She didn’t blame her.
One Saturday, Emily told Margaret about the engagement.
“Margaret, I… William proposed. I said yes.”
For a moment, silence. Then Margaret hugged her tight.
“About time! Love, you deserve this. Be happy.”
Emily couldn’t believe it. She’d expected judgment, not kindness.
“I’ll help with the wedding. Want it to be perfect. And Oliver deserves a real man in his life.”
From that day, their bond only grew. Emily found not just love, but a friend in her former mother-in-law. And Margaret? She’d gained a daughter. It happens. Rare, but it happens.
