John and Mary John never wanted to leave his village for the city. He loved the open fields, the river, the woods, and his neighbours. He decided to start his own farm, raising pigs for meat, hoping to grow his business if luck was on his side. He dreamed of building a big house; he already had a car, modest and old, and had invested his grandmother’s house money into the business. But he had another cherished dream: to marry Mary and make her the lady of his big house. They were already dating, and Mary knew John’s business wasn’t thriving, and his house was only just being built. Mary was a beauty. She never planned to achieve anything on her own. “Why was I given beauty, if not to be taken care of by my husband? I just need to find someone who’ll take care of everything for me. My beauty is worth a lot,” she’d say to her girlfriends. “John’s building a house and already has a car,” said her friend Lucy. “He just needs time; it might take him a while to get going.” “But I want everything right away,” Mary would pout. “Who knows when John will ever make it big. He doesn’t have the money.” John loved Mary but knew her feelings weren’t quite what he hoped for. Still, he believed she’d love him with time. Everything might have gone well—if not for the arrival of Tim. Tim had come to the village with a friend, visiting his grandmother on holiday. He looked down on the local girls and was openly bored at the village club, until the beautiful Mary appeared. At first, Mary ignored the outsider—but once she learned he was from a wealthy family and his father a well-known city official, she quickly shifted her attention to him. Tim was older, experienced with women, smooth-talking, and handsome. He often brought Mary lavish bouquets—flowers she knew weren’t sold in the village—so he must have had them delivered, which she appreciated. John saw her accepting Tim’s flowers and got upset. “Don’t take his flowers, are you trying to make me angry?” he pleaded, but she only laughed. “They’re just flowers! What’s the big deal?” John even confronted Tim: “Don’t give Mary your flowers, she’s my girl, and I have plans for her!” Tim brushed him off, and a fight broke out—fortunately John’s friends broke it up. After that, things were off between John and Mary. She avoided him, and he felt hurt. She also understood Tim was only in the village for a month before returning to the city. “I have to come up with something—grab Tim’s attention and go to the city with him. There’s no future for me here—I’d better act quickly,” she thought. It didn’t take much to lure Tim home. Her parents were off to town to the market. Mary timed things so her parents would catch them together. Her father, strict and stubborn, found them both: she in her dressing gown, Tim scrambling to pull on his trousers. “What’s going on here?” her father demanded. Mary lowered her eyes, Tim shuffled awkwardly. “I see,” her father said. “Right, Tim—you need to marry our daughter now, or you’ll be in trouble. Come in here, let’s talk.” What was said, no one knows, but the next day, the young couple went into town to register their marriage, her father driving them, her mother packing them for their move to the city. The village buzzed with the news. John was devastated, but tried not to show it. Tim cursed himself. “Why did I even come here? Why did I fall for the village beauty’s charms? She’s not as naive as she seemed—she trapped me!” But Mary longed for city life, happiness, luxury. “That’s fine—I’ll love him so much, have his babies, he’ll be glad it worked out, just hope his parents accept me…” But to her surprise, Tim’s parents were delighted that he’d brought home such a pretty, down-to-earth country bride. They were tired of all the fancy city girls who only cared about money. Mary would feed and care for their son—she obviously knew how to keep a home. “Come in, Mary, make yourself at home,” his mother Anna greeted her warmly, and his father, Michael, smiled kindly. Mary wanted to be a good housewife. Their flat was big and comfortable. Tim even realised that Mary wasn’t as manipulative as he first thought. “Yes, she played it well with the marriage—caught me good—but she does seem to believe we’ll be happy,” Tim mused, though he didn’t believe it himself. Tim made plans to party after the wedding—he had plenty of lady friends in town. But one evening at dinner, Mary dropped a bombshell: “I’m pregnant—we’re going to have a baby!” “Congratulations, Mary, we’ve been longing for grandchildren!” Anna beamed. Tim realised there was no point arguing—the baby was happening. Soon came the wedding. Tim’s parents gave them a furnished flat. Mary noticed Tim wasn’t thrilled to be a father. “He’ll come around when the baby arrives—he’ll realise what happiness it is,” she thought, little knowing the kind of man Tim really was. After the wedding, Tim started staying out late. “My job means lots of trips away,” he’d say, and she believed him, not knowing what he really did. She never complained to his parents about his absences or the nights he didn’t come home, just waited and cooked nice meals for his return, keeping the house tidy—though she missed her village, friends, and parents, and, strangely, found herself thinking more and more about John. Now she began to doubt she’d made the right choice. When she asked if her husband loved her, he dodged the question. Anna saw her daughter-in-law was downcast and realised her own son wasn’t much of a husband. The birth of their son was a joyous event for the family—even Tim was momentarily moved, but it didn’t last. The crying, the sleepless nights, nappies irritated him; Mary, worn out, could no longer make delicious meals or keep up with everything. Tim wanted to escape. He soon discovered many of his old flames now shunned him. “Who wants a married man?” He never told anyone about his wife. She had no education—just a village girl. “What could I do with her when our son gets older? The thought of my wife working as a cleaner or at a market stalls would ruin the family’s reputation. Guess I’ll just have to support them alone. Alimony would be cheaper.” Tim now had a permanent mistress—Katie, with her own flat, well-off, no interest in kids. That suited him; with her he could relax, party, travel out of town. “Katie, if you only knew how that chaos at home gets to me. I don’t love my wife, and the baby’s a pain too. Sure, Mary’s beautiful, but she’s just a country girl—nothing in common, I’m sick of it all. How am I supposed to go out with her, she’s never seen anything beyond her cows and her village.” Mary realised her dream of family life with Tim was slipping away—and suspected he had someone else. He’d come home smelling of another woman’s perfume, lipstick marks on his clothes. Tim was constantly irritable, ignored their son, snapped at her, even raised his hand. They lived in the village now, already expecting another baby. Mary called her mother, complaining, but got: “We never forced you to marry Tim—you made that choice. We thought you’d marry John. You chose your own path, now deal with it. When you’ve had enough, come home—for good.” Mary was crushed. She even checked Tim’s phone while he slept. The things she read between him and Katie left her speechless. She told her mother-in-law, who said: “If you’re thinking of divorce—remember, we’ll fight for custody. My husband has influence. Whatever his faults, Tim is the father, has good earnings, a flat. He can give the child a lot—what can you provide, without education or a job?” Her son had a fever, teething, and Tim, sick of the crying, got messages from Katie, who was waiting. He replied he’d come when the child settled and Mary fell asleep. Katie wrote: “Just give them the sleeping pills I gave you, they’ll be out in no time.” Tim left his phone on the table while in the shower. Mary saw Katie’s message—and was horrified. “What if he really does drug us? What if he poisons us…” While Tim was in the shower, Mary called John and told him everything. “I’ll come get you and take you home.” “His parents want to take my son away.” “Don’t worry, it’s just threats. Try to calm down, and get your son to sleep. Let your husband leave, and then call me—I’ll be nearby.” Mary rocked her baby until he finally slept beside her. She pretended to be asleep. She heard her husband look in, then leave the house. Quickly, she packed a few things, called John—who arrived promptly and drove her to his home. Tim came home the next evening and found Mary and the baby gone. He called his parents. “No, son, Mary hasn’t been here. Has she really run away? I’m calling the police,” Anna fretted. “Mum, don’t. Don’t call. I’m actually relieved she left. I’m tired of her and the baby. Let her live as she wants—please, Mum.” He talked her round in the end. Time passed. John and Mary married after her divorce. They lived in a big house, and soon were expecting another child. At last, Mary realised that John was her happiness.

John never really fancied leaving his village for the city. He loved the open fields, the river, the hedgerows and woods, and all the people hed grown up with. He decided to put his savings into farming, hoping to raise pigs and sell the meat, with the dream that one day, with a bit of luck, hed expand the business even further. He often pictured himself in a large house of his own, nicer than the small, old car he drove now, and hed put the money from his grans cottage straight back into his venture.

But John had another dream toohe wanted to marry Emily and make her the lady of his future home. Theyd been courting for a while. Emily knew Johns farm was only just starting up. He wasnt flushed with cash, his house was only a foundation so far, nothing more.

Emily was a real beauty. She had no intentions of making her own way in life.

Whats the point? Ive been given good looks for a reasonlet my husband take care of me. All I need is to find the right bloke to look after me, shed tell her mates.

Johns building a house, hes got a car, all that, said Lucy, her friend. You just need to be patient. Things will work out in time.

But I want it all. And I want it now, Emily would moan, pouting, Who knows how long it will take John to make it big. Hes got no money.

John loved Emily, but he figured her feelings werent as strong as his. Still, he hoped shed grow to love him back. Everything might have turned out fine, if it hadnt been for Mark showing up in their village. Mark rolled in with a mate to visit his nan for the holidays. He barely gave the local girls a glance, looked bored stiff in the pubuntil he saw Emily walk in.

At first, Emily ignored the city lad. But once she found out his dad was an important local councillor and that his family had plenty of money, her focus shifted quick. Mark was older, used to girls, had a charming way about him. He brought Emily posh flowerseveryone knew there was nowhere to buy those bouquets nearby, so she realised he had them delivered, and she liked that.

John knew she was taking Marks flowers and it got under his skin.

Dont accept his flowers. Why are you winding me up? he said.

She just laughed. Its only flowers. Whats the big deal?

John even confronted Mark. Keep your flowers away from Emily. Shes my girl. I plan to marry her.

Mark just brushed him off. A fight broke out, and it was lucky Johns mates stepped in and broke it up. After that, things got frosty between John and Emily. She started to avoid him, and his pride was hurt.

Emily soon realised Mark was only in the village for the summer. Hed return to the city and that would be that.

I need to think fast. If I can get him to take me to the city, Ill have a shot at a different life. Theres nothing for me here, she schemed.

It wasnt hard to lure Mark to her familys house. Her parents had gone off to market in London. Emily timed it so theyd get caught in the actshe knew her dad, a stubborn and short-tempered man. Sure enough, they were in Emilys room, rushed and dishevelled, when her mum and dad walked in.

What on earth is going on here? her dad barked, glaring.

Emily looked down at her feet. Mark shifted awkwardly.

I see. Right then, Mark. If youve got any decency, youll marry our daughter. If not, youll regret it. Come here this instant.

No one knows what was said, but the next day, Emily and Mark went into town to give notice at the registry office, with her dad driving and her mum busy packing their things for a move to the city. News spread like wildfire round the village. John was crushed, but did his best not to show it.

Mark secretly cursed himself for ever coming. Why did I get mixed up with a village girl? Ive been had. Shes cleverer than she looks.

But Emily only dreamed of city life and a bit of happiness.

Ill make him gratefulIll love him, have his children. Hell realise his luck one day. I only hope his parents accept me.

To her surprise, Marks parents were delighted hed brought home a country girl. They were fed up with the city types he usually datedwomen who only cared about money. Emily, they saw, could cook and keep house, a true homemaker.

Come in, love, make yourself at home, Marks mum, Jane, said kindly, with his father, Peter, smiling his approval.

Emily did her best to fit in. Their flat was large, four rooms, and she felt welcome. Mark too started to warm to her, thinking she might not be cold and calculating after all.

She definitely boxed clever to get me to marry her, but maybe she honestly believes well be happy, he thought, even though deep down he didnt believe it. At least she doesnt nag or argue. Maybe she feels guilty, or maybe she just wont go back to the village.

Mark was already planning wild bachelor nights out after the weddinghe had plenty of friends. But at dinner, Emily suddenly announced, Im pregnant. Were expecting a baby

Congratulations! Weve been hoping for grandchildren for ages, Jane beamed, while Mark realised there was no chance of arguing against this now.

Not long after, they married. Marks parents gifted them a new flat, fully furnished. After the wedding, Emily noticed Mark wasnt at all thrilled to be a dad.

Itll change, surely, once the baby arrives. Hell understand what joy it is, she hoped, not knowing that Mark was already drifting, his heart not in it.

Soon after, Mark was always out.

My work takes me all over the place, hed say to Emily, who had no idea what exactly he did. She never told his parents that Mark hardly came home, disappearing for nights on end. Emily just waited, preparing nice food, tidying, and listening to the silence. She missed her village and her friends, and even her parents. Oddly, she found herself thinking about John more and more.

Doubt crept in. Had she made the right decision? Whenever she asked Mark if he loved her, he dodged the question. Jane noticed how downcast Emily wasshe knew her son wasnt the best husband.

When their son was born, everyone was overjoyed. Even Mark was visibly moved, but the feeling didnt last. Soon, he was irritated by the late nights, the nappies, the crying. Emily, tired and frazzled, couldnt cook much or keep up the house. Mark just wanted out.

He also realised a lot of his city girlfriends had dropped him.

Whod bother with a married man?

He told no one about his wife. He thought Emily had little education, wasnt city enough. What job could she get when our sons older? I dont want her working as a cleaner or on a market stall. Itd ruin our reputation. Guess Ill be supporting them forever. Child support might have cost less.

Mark had a mistress in the cityKatewho had her own flat, was loaded, had no wish for kids. He could relax there, have a drink, go away for weekends.

Kate, you wouldnt believe how fed up I am with home lifemy wife bores me, and even my kid annoys me. Sure, Emilys pretty, but shes hopeless outside the countryside. I cant take her anywhereshes never seen a thing past the village green and a herd of cows.

Soon Emily realised shed never have the family life with Mark shed pictured. She suspected there was someone else. Mark came home smelling of strange perfume, his shirt sometimes marked with bright lipstick. He snapped at her, ignored their child, even once lifted a hand to her.

She poured her heart out to her mum on the phone, only to hear: No one forced you to marry Mark. We all thought youd pick John. Now youve made your bed, you lie in itand if you get fed up, come home for good, but only if its for keeps.

Emily felt crushed. One night, while Mark was asleep, she looked through his phonemessages from Kate left her speechless. She spoke to Jane, only to be told, If you ever divorce, rememberwith our connections, well get custody of the boy. Tims his father, and with our means and a nice flat, the court will side with us. What can you offer with no job and no qualifications?

Their son was teething and feverish; the crying wore Mark down. Kate was messaging, asking him to come round. He texted that hed come once things settled and Emily was asleep. Just give them that sleeping pill I gave youtheyll nod off in no time, Kate replied.

Mark left his phone on the table and went into the shower. Emily saw the message and was petrified: What if he really tries it? What if he poisons us?

While Mark was in the shower, she called John and told him everything.

Ill come get you. Dont worrythey wont take your son away. Theyre just trying to scare you. Calm yourself and the boy, let Mark leave, then ring me. Ill wait nearby.

She soothed her son, laid down pretending to sleep, waiting until she heard Mark check on them, then leave. Quickly, she packed a small bag and called John, who whisked her away to his house.

Mark didnt return until late the next evening, only to find Emily and their son gone. He rang his parents.

No, Mark, we havent seen Emily and the boy. You dont think shes run off? Ill call the police, Jane fussed.

Mum, dont bother. Honestly, Im relieved shes gone. She and the kid got on my nerves. Please, Mum, just let it be, he insisted, and eventually, she agreed.

Time passed. John and Emily married after her divorce from Mark. They settled into the big house John had dreamed of, with another baby on the way. At last, Emily realised John was her true happiness.