**A Journey to Happiness: A Fresh Start for Two Lovers**
Emma was travelling to meet the man she loved, or rather, she was soaring on the wings of joy. At last, her son had finished secondary school and been accepted into university. Now, she and her husband could finally live together after years of waiting.
The very day she sent her son off to his studies, she bought a coach ticket and set off for John. Their marriage had lasted only two years, but they had known each other as if it had been a lifetime.
Their relationship hadnt been easy. It had started rough, weathered many storms, but fate had promised them a future together. At least, Emma was certain of it.
They had met eight years ago. Back then, she had only just healed from her divorce with her first husband and kept everyone at arms lengthuntil she met John. Even with him, she had been hesitant at first. Hed had to put in real effort to convince her he wasnt like her ex, William.
They had dated for six months before deciding to move in together. John had moved into her place, as his tiny flat would have been cramped for the whole family. Emma had a ten-year-old sona well-behaved boy, though he hadnt immediately warmed to his stepfather.
After three years of living together, John began talking about marriage, but Emma wasnt the least bit enthusiastic.
She saw no point in paperwork. Besides, it didnt protect you from betrayal, whether you were a man or a woman.
She was happy as things wereshe didnt want change.
At first, John had accepted her stance, but eventually, he realised it wasnt enough for him. He wanted to see Emma as his wife in every sense. He had even given her an ultimatum: marry him, or they would part ways.
Emma hadnt liked his insistence, so she decided it was better to separate. And so they hadfor half a year.
During that time, John had moved to another town where a friend had offered him a well-paid job. He rarely came home, only visiting his parents once every couple of months. On one of those visits, he bumped into Emma again.
She was strolling through the park, looking as if life was treating her wonderfullyso happy and carefree, until her eyes met his.
In her gaze, he saw exactly what he felt in his own heart. She still loved him. And she couldnt hide it.
They resumed their relationship, but this time, it was long-distance. Sometimes she visited him, sometimes he came to her. Every meeting was carefully planned, yet each one was full of warmth and passion.
They usually saw each other once a month, sometimes twice. John had often suggested she move in with him. He had managed to buy a two-bed flat in his new town, though he was still paying off the mortgage.
Emma would have loved nothing more, but at the time, she couldnt uproot her life so suddenly. Her son was a teenager who needed her attention. And her mother was ill, requiring care. For over two years, Emma had worked hard to nurse her back to health, and at last, her mother had improved.
“Youre a fighter!” the doctor had cheerfully said when discharging her.
Margaret hadnt kept her daughter tied down for long, but Alex was now in his final years of school. He didnt want to change schools and had begged his mother to wait until he finished. Shed had to compromise.
The summer before Alex started sixth form, Emma and John finally married. Seeing how much joy it brought her husband, she regretted not agreeing soonerbut what was the use in crying over spilled milk?
Now, they werent just meeting up. Their relationship could have been called a weekend marriage, if not for the hundreds of miles between them.
And now, Alex had been accepted into university. Emma was proud of her son and realised she could finally arrange her personal life. She hadnt told John she was moving inshe wanted to surprise him.
He had suspected it would happen, but he didnt know the exact date.
Emma packed her suitcase, boarded the coach, and set off towards him. She wanted this day to be etched in his memory forever. She could already picture herself in lace lingerie, scattering rose petals on the freshly made bed, preparing a delicious dinner, waiting for her love to return from work.
She had dreamed of every detail during the coach ride. She was certain John would be thrilled by her surprisebut instead, the surprise was waiting for her.
She unlocked the door to his flat with her keyand froze in shock. A pair of blue eyes stared back at hera strikingly beautiful young woman with fiery red hair.
“Who are you?” Emma asked the stranger.
“Im Ruby. Oh, you must be Emma. Sorry, Ill leave right away!”
“What do you mean, leave? Who are you?” Emma snapped.
“Please, dont be angry. Im your husbands girlfriend!”
“What? His girlfriend?”
Emma closed the door quietly, leaving behind everything she had believed was hers, resolved to carve out a new pathalone.
**Lesson learned: Trust is fragile, and sometimes, the future you build in your head is nothing like the one waiting for you.**
