At last, happiness found her
When Emily married James, she never imagined her new husband would fall victim to a destructive habit. Their relationship had moved quickly—he was charming, funny, and decisive, proposing to her at a party after a few drinks.
“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, though her voice lacked real anger. Emily had dreamed of marriage—nearly all her friends were already married.
“Come on, don’t overthink it. Just say yes!” he insisted, grinning.
She agreed, but made him promise—only drinking on special occasions. James nodded without hesitation. “Deal.”
What Emily didn’t know then was that James’s father had struggled with drink all his life, and that same weakness trailed the son like a shadow. His mother, Margaret, had often fought with her husband when he poured their boy a glass.
“You ruined yourself, now you’re dragging him down too?” she’d shout, only to be met with a dismissive laugh. “He’s a man, let him learn.”
After the wedding, the couple moved into Emily’s grandmother’s flat in the outskirts of Manchester. At first, things were fine. James worked, though he often came home smelling of booze. There was always an excuse:
“You expect me not to drink? Dave just had a baby! Or it’s Pete’s birthday. Or we finished a big job—the boss treated us. It’s respect!”
Emily gave birth to a son, Oliver. But James kept drinking. He barely paid the boy any attention.
“Why won’t you even hold him? He’s your son!” she’d protest.
“You don’t want me near him when I’ve been drinking,” he’d mutter, waving her off.
“Then don’t drink! How many times do I have to ask?”
Years passed—eight of them. James drank more, lost job after job. Emily carried everything: the house, their son, life itself. The only bright spot was her mother-in-law, who understood, sympathized, and helped with money and clothes for the boy.
“Emily’s a gem. If he had an ounce of decency…” Margaret sighed to her sister.
When Oliver turned ten, Emily realized she couldn’t go on. James had become a husk of himself—teeth missing from fights, hair thinning, eyes dull. He felt nothing for her or their son.
“Leave him,” her coworkers urged. “Emily, how much longer will you put up with this?”
But she hesitated. Her heart was too soft—she pitied everyone, even stray dogs, even him.
Until a real reason found her. She fell in love. With a new colleague—Daniel.
He’d joined their office just months ago. Tall, bright-eyed, with an easy smile, he charmed everyone. Even the boldest women in the office made attempts, but he politely declined—firmly, kindly.
Daniel was divorced, had moved from Leeds, and lived with his father. The office buzzed with gossip, but he stayed calm, giving nothing away.
For the first time in years, Emily felt something stir inside her. Her heart had woken up. She kept quiet, even to herself.
When she filed for divorce, she didn’t explain—just told James it was over.
“Pack your things. I can’t do this anymore.”
He left without a fight, just took his bags and went to his mother’s.
Emily felt like she’d been reborn.
Then, one evening as she left work, Daniel called out to her.
“Emily, got a minute? Fancy dinner?”
Her cheeks burned. But she nodded.
They sat in a café. Talked about life, work, family. Then he said:
“I heard about the divorce. And… I’ve known for a while—you’re the one.”
She froze. Those were the words she’d been waiting for.
“I had no idea you felt that way,” she whispered.
“I had a hunch you did too,” he smiled. “Just didn’t know if I should say it.”
After that, they were together. Emily laughed when envious coworkers teased:
“Quiet Emily bagged Daniel? How’d you manage that?”
She didn’t bother answering. It didn’t matter. Her heart was at peace.
Her ex didn’t cause trouble, but Margaret visited often—to see Oliver, to support Emily. She understood why her son had been sent away. She never blamed her.
One Saturday, Emily told Margaret about the engagement. Daniel had given her a ring—it was serious.
“Margaret… Daniel proposed. I said yes.”
For a moment, the older woman was silent. Then she hugged her tight.
“About time! You deserve happiness, love. I’ll help with the wedding—make sure it’s perfect. Oliver should know he’s got a proper man in his life now.”
Emily couldn’t believe it. She’d expected judgment but found warmth instead.
From then on, their bond only grew stronger. Emily had found love—and a friend in her former mother-in-law. Margaret had gained a daughter.
It happens. Rarely—but it happens.
