Father spotted a bruise under his daughters eye and made a phone callhis son-in-laws life was about to crumble.
Emily stood in the doorway, greeting her parents with her usual cheerful smile. Only the dark, swollen shadow beneath her eye betrayed the subject she refused to discuss.
Mum, its nothing, dont make a fuss, she said quickly, catching her mothers sharp glance.
Margaret sighed. Its your life, love. You have to live it
Her father, James, didnt even acknowledge his son-in-law. He strode to the window and stared blankly outside, as if he hadnt heard his daughter muttering something about a wardrobe and the dark.
I just tripped last night. Honestly, Mum, everythings fine with me and George!
Fine? Emily remembered perfectly well what had happened. George, always quick to anger, hadnt just shouted at her. When shed dared to say shed had enough, hed grabbed her dressing gown collar so hard it tore at the chest.
What, you stupid cow, forgot who you owe your life to?! hed roared, shaking her. Forgot how I dragged you back from the pubs when you ran off with that Daniel? Who loved you, eh? Who carried you in his arms?
Thena solid punch. Stars danced in her vision before the pain swallowed her whole. And George kept yelling, his words ugly and slurred.
Yes, love. Wardrobe dark, Margaret murmured, though she knew exactly what had happened.
And she felt guilty. Shed been the one to push Emily into marrying George! Shed been the one to chase Daniel away, convinced he was a bad influence.
That wardrobe of yours, dear, seems to have fists, Margaret remarked dryly, shooting a pointed glance at her son-in-law.
James never turned from the window. He stepped onto the balcony for a smoke. Unlike his wife, hed never liked George. The man was flashy, selfish, rotten to the core. Sure, he came from moneyflat in London, fancy car, connections. But inside? Pure trash.
And now that rot had surfaceda bruise on his daughters face.
Of course, James couldve grabbed George by the lapels and given him a proper thrashing. But that wouldve just caused a scene. So he stepped outside.
He knew how to handle this. And hed already made the call.
Meanwhile, Emily bought her mum a coffee, and they chatted about nothing. Half an hour later, her parents left.
George, whod braced for shouting and drama, finally relaxed. He flopped onto the sofa, cracked open a lager, and smirked. In his mind, their silence meant approval. Family sticks together, bruises or not. No one rats you out. Easy!
See, Em? Told you itd blow over! he drawled, smug. Your folks are decent. Not like you throwing tantrums. Had a few pints, so what?
He took a swig and reached for crisps.
His joy was short-lived.
Not even half an hour later, someone knocked. Not the polite doorbella firm, deliberate rap. George froze, put his can down, and crept to the door. Peering through the peephole, he paled.
Daniel stood there. His rival. Emilys ex. The one whod nearly married her before stepping back. Tall, confident, in a sharp suitthe kind of man who made women blush and other men want to punch him.
What dyou want? George growled, cracking the door just enough to glare.
Step aside, Daniel said calmly, shoving past him with a shoulder.
George staggered like a ragdoll.
Emily shot up from the sofa, eyes wide.
Daniel
Right, pack your things, he cut in. Well go to mine or your parents. But no way youre staying with this bankrupt loser.
Who you calling bankrupt, you posh prat? George spat, but he stayed rooted in the corner like a kicked puppy.
He had reasons to fear Daniel.
I called you, Georgie boy. Me, Daniel smiled coolly. Didnt want to interfere, but when Emilys dadsolid bloke, by the wayrang and said youd hit her? Well. Game over.
W-what are you on about?! George croaked.
Oh, not like that, Daniel chuckled. Just that the lease for your club? Belongs to a mate of mine. A very good mate. Youll be getting an eviction notice soon. Already sent to your office.
George sank onto a chair like a deflated balloon.
Plus, I ran the numbers. Six months of unpaid rent. Remember when they said rates might rise if the club turned a profit? Well, they did. Six months ago. You just never read the notice. Now? Youre in deep. Penalties, interest Want me to name the figure?
Daniel leaned in. And we both know you cant pay. Maybe spend less time boozing with randoms, eh?
George slumped like a squeezed lemon.
This this is a setup! he wheezed.
Sue me, Daniel shrugged. Though your lawyer just quit. Or did you sack him? Whos left? Your bartender with the nose ring?
George gaped, speechless.
Emily, lets go. Dont bother packing. Ill buy you new things. This junk isnt worth it.
Daniel, hold on, Emily frowned. This is all so sudden.
Sudden is taking a punch and still making excuses. The rest? Long overdue.
He held out his hand. She took it.
Youre all mad! George screeched. This is my house! My wife!
Wife? Daniel scoffed. Youre the bloke who hits her, then hides behind a six-pack and the telly? Youre not a man, George. Youre a joke. Loud, bitter nothing. Cant even throw a proper punch.
II George stammered.
Take it to court if you want, Daniels eyes narrowed. Tell them about the wardrobe bruise. Or how your club folded because youd rather drink than work.
Emily followed Daniel without a backward glance. Only at the door did she pause.
Sorry, George. Goodbye.
Piss off, then! he hissed. Go on!
And they left.
Two days later, George sat in an empty flat. The club was shuttered. Papers littered the tableeviction notices, debt warnings.
Daniel hadnt just been an ex. Hed been an ex with a plan. And hed struck at the perfect momentswift, brutal, flawless.
Meanwhile, peace reigned at Emilys parents house. Her mum hummed in the kitchen; her dad read the paper.
Then Emily walked in.
Hi, she said.
Whereve you been, love? George call? her dad asked sternly.
I was with Daniel.
So you left George?
Yeah. For good.
Her mum threw up her hands. Her dad just nodded.
Good. Bloody good, love. He grinned. And if that git ever comes near you again, Ill knock his teeth in.
Dad did you call Daniel?
Course I did. Who else? He winked. Solid lad. Proper businessmanunlike that one.
Thank God youre rid of that idiot! her mum chimed in. And thank heavens no kids were involved
Oh, Mum, listen to you! her dad laughed. But she knows nowshe made a mistake.
Outside, Daniel leaned against his black Range Rover, smirking. He knew. No one would ever lay a hand on Emily again.
Well, except maybe for love. But thats another story.
