**The Obstacle to Happiness**
Emma broke up with her boyfriend, a guy she thought she’d been through everything with. His name was Oliver, and they’d been together nearly two years—even moved in together. But the longer they shared a home, the clearer it became to Emma: no, she couldn’t see a future with this man. He drove her up the wall—constantly lounging on the sofa scrolling through his phone, leaving the flat in chaos, full of excuses about work, never lifting a finger.
That night, after a grueling shift at the hospital, Emma made up her mind—enough was enough. The flat, as usual, was a mess. Oliver, unshaven and in a ratty old T-shirt, was lazily flicking through social media.
*”Oliver, pack your things. We’re done,”* she said, her voice steady.
*”You’ve lost it! What’s your problem now?”* he snapped, jumping up.
*”Everything’s the problem. I’m not dragging you through life anymore. Go.”*
*”You’ll regret this. Where am I supposed to go at this hour?”*
*”Your parents’, friends’, anywhere. But you’re not staying here.”*
He slammed the door on his way out, muttering about how she’d be sorry. But Emma didn’t flinch. *”When one door closes, another opens,”* she reminded herself, sinking onto the sofa with relief. For the first time in ages, she felt light.
Her parents—especially her mum—were thrilled.
*”Finally got rid of that freeloader, eh? Twenty-seven’s no age to be wasting time,”* her mum, Margaret, said pointedly.
Emma didn’t need telling. She worked as a nurse in A&E—no easy job, dealing with emergencies day in, day out. By the time she got home, she was exhausted, only to face more chores, more complaints.
After the breakup, life was simpler: a kebab from the corner shop, a shower, sleep. No nagging, no drama.
Then, a few months later, Daniel came into her life. He’d brought a mate into the hospital after a car crash and spotted Emma straight away. There was something about her. He tried talking to her, but she was busy—so the next morning, he waited outside the hospital just to see her again. Tall, fair-haired, with an easy smile—she liked him right away.
Things moved fast from there. He was kind, honest, a good listener. Worked in logistics with his dad, had time for her. When she told her parents about him, Margaret stiffened, her face unreadable.
*”Hello. Come in,”* she said coldly when Daniel arrived.
Over dinner, Emma’s dad kept the conversation going, but her mum barely spoke. Daniel felt awkward; Emma was baffled.
Later, she found out the truth: Daniel’s mum was Alison—Margaret’s old school friend who’d once stolen her boyfriend. Decades on, Margaret still held a grudge. She’d married, had Emma, but never let go of that bitterness. So seeing Alison’s son in her home—it was too much.
*”It’s him or me,”* Margaret warned.
But Emma chose love. She told Daniel everything. He just shrugged.
*”Our parents’ past isn’t our fault. We’re here now, that’s what matters.”*
He told his mum who Emma was. Alison just smiled.
*”You’ve got your own lives. No hard feelings. Be happy.”*
They got married. Both sets of parents showed up, but kept to opposite sides of the room. Margaret didn’t smile once. Alison, on the other hand, was over the moon.
Months passed. Emma and Daniel settled into their own place, visiting both families—but the silence between their mums stayed.
*”Maybe a grandkid’ll warm things up,”* Daniel said hopefully.
For now, they’re happy just the two of them. And as it turns out—soon, there’ll be the sound of tiny feet in their home.
