At last, happiness found her.
When Emily married James, she never imagined her new husband would be trapped by a destructive habit. Their relationship had moved quickly—he was charming, lively, and decisive, proposing to her at a party while slightly tipsy.
“Em, marry me!” he laughed, leaning in with the unmistakable smell of alcohol on his breath.
“Have you been drinking? You’re proposing like this?” she asked, though her voice held no real anger. Emily had dreamed of marriage—most of her friends were already wed.
“What? I’m celebrating! Come on, don’t keep me waiting—say yes!” he insisted, grinning.
She agreed, on one condition—he’d only drink on special occasions. James nodded without hesitation. “Of course!”
Emily didn’t know then that James’s father had drunk his whole life, and the same weakness ran like a shadow through his son. His mother, Margaret, had often fought with her husband when he’d poured the boy a drink.
“Ruined yourself—now you’ll ruin him too?” she’d shout. But he’d only laugh. “He’s a man—let him learn.”
After the wedding, they settled into Emily’s inherited cottage in the outskirts of Manchester. At first, things were fine. James worked, though he often came home smelling of drink. There was always an excuse:
“Tom’s just had a baby—how could I not toast? Or it’s Pete’s birthday. Or the lads at the warehouse were celebrating. Respect, Em!”
Emily gave birth to their son, Thomas. But James kept drinking. He never bonded with the boy.
“Why won’t you even hold him? He’s your son!” she protested.
“Well, you don’t want me near him reeking of beer, do you?” he’d mutter, waving her off.
“Then stop drinking! How many times have I asked you?”
Years passed. Eight, in fact. James drank more, lost job after job—each time for being drunk. Emily carried everything: the house, their son, their life. Her sole comfort was her mother-in-law, who understood, sent money, and helped with clothes for the boy.
“Emily’s a treasure. If only he had an ounce of decency…” Margaret sighed to her sister.
When Thomas turned ten, Emily knew she couldn’t go on. James was a shell of a man. His once-handsome features were ruined—teeth missing, hair thinning, eyes dull. He felt nothing for his wife or child.
“Leave him,” colleagues urged. “Emily, how much more can you take?”
But she delayed, her heart too soft—she pitied everyone, even the strays she fed, even her husband.
Until she had a reason—a real one. She fell in love. With a new colleague. His name was Daniel.
He’d joined the office just months ago. Tall, warm-eyed, with an easy smile, he charmed everyone. Even the boldest women flirted, but he, ever the gentleman, politely declined.
Daniel was divorced, had moved from Bristol, lived with his father. The office buzzed with gossip, but he stayed composed, giving no one reason to speculate.
For the first time in years, Emily felt something stir inside her. As if her heart had woken up. She kept quiet at first—even to herself.
When she filed for divorce, she told James and Margaret plainly.
“James, it’s over. Pack your things. I can’t do this anymore.”
He left without a scene. Just took his bags and went to his mother’s.
And Emily—it was like being reborn.
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 quiet café. First, just talking—about life, work, family. Then he said:
“I heard you’re divorced. And… I knew right away—you’re the one.”
She froze. Those were the words she’d longed for.
“I had no idea…” she whispered.
“I had a feeling you felt it too,” he smiled. “Just wasn’t sure if I should say.”
From then on, they were together. Emily laughed when envious coworkers teased:
“Quiet Emily snagged Daniel! How’d you manage that?”
She didn’t answer. It didn’t matter. Her heart was at peace.
James didn’t interfere, but Margaret visited often—to see her grandson, to support Emily. She understood why she’d left and didn’t blame her.
One Saturday, Emily told Margaret about the engagement. Daniel had given her a ring—things were serious.
“Margaret… Daniel proposed. I said yes.”
For a moment, the older woman was silent. Then, suddenly, she hugged her.
“At last! Em, you deserve happiness. May everything go right for you!”
Emily couldn’t believe it. She’d expected judgment—instead, she got warmth.
“I’ll help with the wedding. I want it perfect. And for Thomas to know he’s got a real man in his life now.”
From that day, their bond only grew. Emily found not just love but a friend in her former mother-in-law. And Margaret gained the daughter she’d never had.
It happens. Not often—but it happens. Sometimes, family isn’t just blood—it’s the love you choose to keep.
