**Diary Entry**
When Edward discovered he was the father of twins, a strange sense of unease washed over him. Before Emilys pregnancy, he had genuinely wanted childrenthey had planned their future together, preparing for this new chapter.
But the moment she left for the hospital, granting him unexpected freedom, Edward suddenly questioned everything. Had they made a mistake?
The first day of solitude passed in dull idleness, but by the next, he wandered to his favourite cafécooking for himself was out of the question. There, amid the scent of fresh pastries and coffee, fate intervened.
He saw *her*Charlotte, the woman of his dreams. The realisation struck as soon as she stepped inside, her radiant smile lighting up the room as she settled at an empty table. His pulse quickened. They talked, and by evening, she was in his home. By morning, doubts gnawed at himhad he ever truly loved Emily? Had fatherhood been the right choice?
The phone shattered their peace. Charlotte wrinkled her nose.
“Who calls this early? I barely slept”
Edward glanced at the screenthe hospital. Reluctantly, he answered.
“Yes, Im listening. Two sons. Right.”
“Ugh, nappies, sleepless nights, no life of your own! Why would you want that?” Charlotte scoffed.
He shrugged. “Honestly, Im not sure anymore.”
That evening, Emily called. Edward forced cheer into his voice, but she sensed it.
“Darling, whats wrong? You dont sound happy”
“Of course I am! Just works offered me a big promotion, and the boys Im worried theyll hold me back. But dont fretIll figure something out.”
“Figure *what* out?” Her voice wavered.
He hurriedly ended the call, realising hed said too much. Time was shortEmily and the babies would return in a week. He needed a plan.
“Listen,” he blurted to Charlotte, “my grandfathers old cottageits remote, but decent. Ill send Emily and the boys there. Fresh air, good for them. Ill visit. Shell buy it.”
“Perfect!” Charlotte grinned. “Your naïve little wife will believe anything! And well have our freedom.”
“Well, not *complete* freedom, but no more hiding,” he assured her.
Edward rehearsed his speech. Emily was distraught.
“Darling, somethings off How will I manage alone in the middle of nowhere with two babies?”
“Youll manage! Ill visit often. You wouldnt want me to lose this promotion, would you?”
Confused but unwilling to argue, Emily relented. Fear gripped herwhat if he left for good? Yet she stayed silent, tears streaking her cheeks as they drove to the unknown.
The car stopped at a crumbling cottage, half-swallowed by weeds. Emily gasped.
“Edward, you cant leave us *here*!”
“I can,” he said coldly. “Stop exaggerating. Its spaciousplenty of room. Ill leave money, sort out benefits.”
“So youre leaving us?” Her voice broke.
“Emily, we rushed into this. The children”
He hauled their bags inside, avoiding her eyes, then drove off without a goodbye. Emily collapsed, sobbing, clutching her wailing sons. What now?
Edward drowned his guilt. Plenty of men did this! He hadnt thrown them onto the streetshed given them a roof, hadnt he? Emily would cope.
As she numbly settled the infants on a dusty sofa, a gruff voice startled her.
“Just sitting there? Its sweltering, and those bairns are bundled up!”
She spun around. An older man stood in the doorway, frowning as he unwrapped the boys.
“Whowho are you?”
“Your neighbour. Heard your row with the husband. Thought Id check on you.”
“How *dare* you” She faltered under his stern gaze.
“Enough. Feed the lads, tidy up. They cant stay like this,” he said firmly. “And dont fret. That Edwardll be back soon.”
“Ha! Known too many like him,” the man muttered. “Focus on the boys, not him.”
Emily opened her mouth but stopped, finally noticing the chaos. Overwhelmed, she whispered, “How will we survive?”
The manThomassmiled. “No time for gloom. Lets feed em, air the place, clean up. Youll manage.”
To her surprise, she obeyed. Thomas, she learned, had lived here two years.
“Why move here?” she asked, scrubbing floors.
He chuckled. “Lost faith in people. The rests a tale for another day. Used to be a paediatrician, though.”
“Really?” she gasped. “No wonder youre so good with them. Ive so much to learn.”
By dusk, the cottage gleamed. Exhausted but grateful, Emily marvelled at the changeall thanks to Thomas. That night, he returned with food.
“Right, tea for the housewarming!” he declared. “Tomorrow, Ill fetch goats milk from Mrs. Wilkins. And theres an old crib in the attic. Cheer upno such thing as hopeless!”
He studied her. “What dyou do for work?”
“Primary school teacher.”
“Brilliant! Half the battles won!”
Days turned to months. The twins thrived; Emily adapted. One evening, Thomas sat across from her, thoughtful.
“Ever thought of tutoring?”
She laughed. “In the middle of nowhere?”
“Rubbish! Countryside needs teachers too. Plenty of families hered hire you.”
She agreed. Thomas often minded the boys while she taught, even procuring a second-hand pram from Mrs. Wilkins, whod become like family.
Emily knew her feelings for Thomas ran deeper but feared rejection. Whod want a woman with two children?
On her birthday, Thomas and Mrs. Wilkins visited. After cake, the older woman smirked.
“Honestly, you twosneaking glances, sighing like lovestruck fools. Why not wed already?”
“No!” they chorused, flushing.
Mrs. Wilkins cackled. “Suit yourselves. Im offsort it out, you daft pair.”
Once alone, silence thickened. Finally, Thomas cleared his throat.
“Emily dont misunderstand. Im fond of you. But my ex always said I was a failure. Maybe she was rightwhy else would I live like this? You deserve better.”
“Dont be absurd!” she cried. “She was a fool! Youve done more for me than anyone. Youre kind, capablenever call yourself a failure again!”
Her voice dropped. “And forgive me, Thomas, but Id never burden you”
“Burden? What nonsense!” He paced, then stopped, eyes blazing. “Those boys? Theyre family to me. The thought of you leavingId miss you *all*.”
Her heart soared. No more barriers stood between them.
Meanwhile, Charlotte arrived at the village. Edward had described the cottage but chickened out of facing his abandoned family.
Honestly, Charlotte relished going alone. Shed evict Emily, sell the dump, and renovate their flat. Money was tightEdward earned well, but she spent lavishly. Their fights grew nastier when he praised Emilys thrift.
Selling the cottage would solve everythingif anyone would buy this ruin.
She dialled Edward, furious. “You liar! This place is a wreck! Whod pay for this?”
“What? Emily loves ordershed have fixed it!”
“No ones here!” Charlotte screeched. “Wheres your precious Emily?”
“How should I know? Did you even check the right”
“Waitthere she is! With the boys. And some blokenew husband, eh? Didnt waste time!”
Emily, Thomas, and the children walked past, entering a well-kept house nearby.
“Oi, you gave me the wrong address! Theyre next door!”
Edwards teeth ground audibly. “Just come home.”
Charlotte scoffed. “After this trip? Ill get answers”
“*Home*, Charlotte.”
Click.
So Emily was fine. The boys were growing. Theyd moved on.
And he? Stuck with Charlotte, whod never let him go. Not like gentle Emily.
Serves him right.
Edward lit a cigarette, staring blankly. His fairy tale had endedbut someone elses had just begun.
He crushed the stub bitterly. Time to face reality.
