**Diary Entry 5th March 2023**
A womans greatest achievement is a good marriage. A wealthy husband means a happy life.
Penelope was her parents only daughter. Her father shielded her, while her mother spoiled her, repeating the same advice:
*”The most important thing is to marry well. A prosperous man is the key to happiness.”* Penelope agreed.
But where was this prosperous man? At university, there were decent lads, of course. She even had a fiancé from a respectable family.
Her father, however, kept her on a tight leashno late-night strolls, no student gatherings, no countryside outings. Everything was under control.
Soon enough, her enviable fiancé found another girl, freer and more intriguing than Penelope.
But then came her dissertation defence, leaving no time for romance. After that, with her fathers help, she landed a job, and with her mothers guidance, she sorted her love life.
Her mother knew what she was doing. An only daughter must marry well, and soon a suitor appearedthe nephew of a close acquaintance.
*”Penny, you ought to take a closer look at this man. Hes older, but thats an advantage, not a drawback. Why settle for a boy? Think about it. Edward Harrington is a serious man. He owns a firm. Youll never have to work.”*
*”But he was married before, Mum! He has a daughterchild support and all that.”*
*”Dont trouble yourself over it. His ex-wife was foolish, and she lives in another city with the girl. Its no issue.”*
And so, they met. Penelopes father remained silent, keeping out of womens affairs since shed graduated.
Let them sort it out.
Surprisingly, Penelope liked Edward. Ten years age difference didnt faze her. With his looks, hed still be dashing in another decade. Handsome, well-mannered, impeccably dressed.
She impressed him too, and they married.
Her mother sighed in relief, duty fulfilled, and turned her attention to herselfsalons, shopping, holidays with her husband, now without her daughter.
Penelope, following her example, indulged herself. Her husband encouraged her whims. She lived for pleasure.
Household duties? Just instructing the housekeeper, who managed fine without her.
Then, out of the blue, disaster struck.
Edwards ex-wife died. Penelope didnt ask how. And he was forced to take in his daughter!
Unthinkable. So much for *no issue*. What now? Shed postponed having her own child indefinitely, and now some girl would invade her home, expecting her to play *stepmother*Edwards words.
No choice.
He didnt consult her, merely stating the fact and asking for kindness. *”The girls innocent.”*
Soon, he fetched his daughter himselfa shabby suitcase, a school backpack.
Emily was in Year 3, tall, quiet, almost mute, Penelope noted. Never a word wasted.
One comfortshe resembled her father. Clearly his, not that foolish exs.
Life in a big house with her father, stepmother, and housekeeper weighed on Emily. She wasnt used to it!
After supper, shed rush to wash dishes, ask for the broom to sweep, iron her own clothes. It irked Penelope.
Her father, buried in work, came home late, with little time for affection. His wife got his attention; Emily got a pat on the head and *”Hows school?”*
Penelope felt trappedno more spontaneous outings, gym sessions at dawn, lie-ins, or scrolling through social media.
Then Emily returned, unavoidable. Edward asked her to supervise the girls schoolwork.
So Penelope consideredwhy not suggest boarding school?
But she didnt dare. Instead, she proposed extended after-school care.
*”Im no teacher. Look, shes getting Cs. At school, shell work properly. Its for her own good.”*
Edward was furious. She regretted speaking.
So it dragged onsoulless routine, resentment, irritation.
Two years later, Penelope had a son. A nanny was discussed, but Emily, nearly twelve, offered to help.
And she didhomework, playing with Daniel, ironing, everything.
Soon, laundry fell to her tooNina, the housekeeper, was past sixty and tiring.
Penelope grew accustomed to Emily handling it all, still devoting time to maintain her socialite glamour.
Daniel adored his sister.
By the time Emily finished school, Daniel was starting Year 1. Again, his sister managed his studies while attending university herself, studying English.
*”Darling, dont you think youve left everythinghome, our sonto Emily?”* Edward once asked. Penelope was rarely home afternoons, eveningsnew friends, cafés, outings.
*”Whats the issue? Your daughter copes brilliantly. Nina barely works. Cooks, thats it.”*
*”Exactly. The rest is on Emily, isnt it?”*
Penelope stayed silent.
Yes, on Emily. But did the girl complain? Daniel went to museums, concerts with her. Wasnt that enough?
After graduation, Edward hired Emily at his firm. The business had expanded, needing a translator.
There, she met James from salesa whirlwind office romance.
Edward never imagined his shy girl would dare. It unsettled him.
But Emily insisted they marry. For once, she stood firm. He relented.
Penelope was just as dismayedlosing her household help. Nina retired, and Edward delayed hiring a replacement.
Emily reassured her: *”Ill still help, Mum. Weekly visits, cleaning, ironing.”*
*”More than weekly,”* Penelope snapped.
Still, Emily moved out after a lavish wedding, starting her own life.
James, however, grew idle. Talked of starting a business, quit his job, but nothing came of it.
Edward, furious at his recklessness, refused help, though he raised Emilys salary.
Unused to spending on herself, she poured it into their household, even sneaking money to teenage Daniel.
James flat was mortgaged; he loved dining out, holidays. Emily stretched their budget thin.
Then, upheaval.
Edwards health faltered. Overseas partners withdrew. The business floundered.
Forced to sell, he begged the new owner to keep Emily on, though her role was nearly redundant.
Her pay plummeted.
James, despairing after Edwards funeral, gave up entirely.
Penelope and Daniel struggled too. Needing support, Emily moved back, leaving James to decide:
*”Either find proper work, or were done.”*
Then she learned she was pregnant.
She mightve rejoiced, but James sneered: *”A child? Be serious! No job, no money. Your fathers bankrupt! What nowraise paupers?”*
Stunned, she filed for divorce at once.
Love for that layabout had long faded.
She stayed with Penelope and Daniel, who, bright and kind, did well in school.
Finances were tight. Edward hadnt left them penniless, but Penelope guarded savings, spending little on the familynever herself.
Emily, now sole breadwinner, managed the house.
When her baby came, Penelope surprised her.
Revitalised, the young grandmother doted on her granddaughter, learning infant care with unexpected zeal.
Emily marvelledespecially since Penelope had a new admirer, clearly happy.
Her warmth extended to the baby.
A year passed.
Penelope remarried, moving in with Daniel.
Emily remained in her fathers house, working remotely.
Penelope and her husband helped with groceries, sometimes taking little Catherine for weekends.
Daniel visited then, still adoring his sister.
*”Em, live a little,”* hed blush. *”Want me to introduce you to my PE teacher? Great bloke. Single, too.”*
Shed laugh, ruffle his hair: *”Oh, stop matchmaking!”*
Life rolled on. No great strife. Each found their happiness.
Even Emily, who loved her family but secretly dreamed of her own joy, her true love.
And soon, it came.
**Lesson:** Life seldom follows the script were handed. Happiness isnt boughtits built, often where we least expect.
