**Diary Entry**
I saw the bruise beneath my daughters eye and made a callher husbands life was about to unravel.
Emily stood in the doorway, greeting us with her usual warm smile. Only the dark, swollen shadow under her bright eyes betrayed the truth she refused to speak of.
Mum, its nothing, reallydont worry, she said quickly, catching my worried glance.
Margaret sighed. Its your life, love. You must live it
Her father, William, didnt even acknowledge his son-in-law. He walked slowly to the window and stared blankly outside, as if deaf to Emilys murmured excuses about tripping in the dark.
I just stumbled last night, thats all. Come on, Mum, everythings fine with me and James!
Fine? Emily remembered perfectly well what happened. James, always so quick to anger, hadnt just shouted. When she dared say shed had enough, hed grabbed her dressing gown so hard it tore at the collar.
What, you ungrateful cow, dont you remember who put a roof over your head? Who dragged you home from the pub when you ran off with that Daniel? Who loved you, you stupid little
Then a brutal blow. Stars burst behind her eyes, pain searing through her. And James, still screaming obscenities.
Yes, love. A cupboard the dark, Margaret muttered, though she knew exactly what had happened.
Guilt gnawed at her. Shed been the one to push Emily into marrying James. Shed been the one to drive Daniel away, convinced he was a bad influence.
That cupboard of yours, darling, seems to have fists, Margaret said pointedly, eyeing her son-in-law.
William never turned from the window. He stepped onto the balcony for a cigarette. Unlike his wife, hed never approved of James. The man was hollowspoiled, selfish. Yes, he came from money: flat in London, a flash car, connections. But rotten inside.
And now the rot had surfaceda bruise beneath my daughters eye.
Of course, William couldve grabbed James by the collar and given him a proper thrashing. But that would only cause a scene. So he stepped outside.
He had another way to handle this.
Hed spent a long time on the phone out there
Meanwhile, Emily bought her mother a coffee, chatting idly for half an hour before her parents left.
James, expecting shouting and drama, finally relaxed. He slumped onto the sofa, cracked open a lager, and smirked. Silence meant approval, didnt it? Family sticks together. Bruises? Part of life. No one crosses him.
See, Em? Told you itd blow over, he drawled, smug. Your parents are decent folk. Not like you throwing tantrums. Had a few pints, so what?
His smugness didnt last.
A sharp knock at the doornot the bell, a firm rapmade him freeze mid-swig.
He peered through the peephole and paled.
Daniel stood there. His rival. Emilys ex. The one whod nearly married her before stepping aside. Tall, confident, in a tailored coatthe kind of man who made women shiver and other men want to punch him.
What do you want? James growled, opening the door just enough to glare.
Step aside, Daniel said coolly, shoving past him.
James staggered back like a ragdoll.
Emily stood, eyes wide. Daniel
Pack a bag, he said simply. Were leaving. My place or your parentsyour choice. But you dont need this waste of space.
Who the hell dyou call a waste? James spat, but he stayed rooted to the spot.
He had his reasons to fear Daniel.
I called you, Jimmy boy, Daniel smiled. Didnt want to interfere, but when your father-in-lawa proper bloke, by the wayrang me and said youd hit her? Well. Game on.
W-what are you on about? James croaked.
Oh, I didnt come empty-handed, Daniel chuckled. That club you rent? Belongs to a mate of mine. A very good mate. Youll be getting an eviction notice. Already sent to your office.
James went rigid.
Oh, and I ran the numbers. Rents been overdue six months. Remember how they said itd increase if the club turned a profit? Well, it did. Half a year ago. You just never read the memo. So now you owe. A lot.
Daniel leaned in.
And we both know youre skint. Shouldve spent less on booze and birds.
James collapsed into a chair like a deflated balloon.
Thisthis is a setup!
Think what you like, Daniel shrugged. You could sue. But your lawyer quit. Or did you sack him? Wholl defend you now? Your barman with the nose ring?
James gaped like a fish.
Emily, lets go. Dont bother packing. Ill buy you whatever you need. The rubbish here isnt worth keeping.
Daniel, wait, Emily hesitated. This is all so sudden.
Sudden is taking a fist to the face and still making excuses. Everything else is too slow.
She took his hand.
Youre all mad! James roared. This is my house! My wife!
Wife? Daniel scoffed. Youre the man who hits her, then hides behind a six-pack and the telly? Youre not a man. Just a loud, pathetic nothing. Cant even hit me properly.
James sputtered.
Or maybe youd like to take it to court? Explain that cupboard bruise? Or how your club failed because youd rather drink than work?
Emily followed Daniel without looking back. Only at the door did she pause.
Sorry, James. Goodbye.
Piss off, then! he snarled.
And they left.
Two days later, James sat in an empty flat. The club was shut. Papers littered the tableeviction notices, debt demands.
Daniel hadnt just been an ex. Hed been a patient one. And when he struck, it was flawless.
Meanwhile, Emilys parents home was quiet. Margaret cooked, William read the paper.
Then Emily walked in.
Hi, she said.
Whereve you been, love? James looking for you? William asked sternly.
I was with Daniel.
So you left him?
Yes.
Margaret clasped her hands. William nodded approval.
Good. And know thisif that idiot comes near you again, Ill knock his teeth out.
Dad did you call Daniel?
Course I did. Who else? William winked. Hes a good lad. Unlike that rubbish you married.
Thank God youre rid of him! Margaret exclaimed. Forgive me, loveI nearly ruined your life.
William chuckled. Your mother and her sharp tongue. But the important thing is you see sense.
Outside, Daniel leaned against his Range Rover, smiling. He knew. No one would ever hurt Emily again.
Well, maybe with love. But thats another story.
