She returned homeno husband, no sign of his belongings.
“Whats that look for?” Zoe smirked. “Stan just wanted to prove hes a proper catch. Thats all.”
“What are you saying?”
“The Gods honest truth, sweetheart,” drawled Stans ex-wife.
“I dont understand” Emilys voice wavered with confusion.
“Ah! Theres Stan nowhell explain everything,” Zoe nodded toward the distance.
Emilys mother, Anne Elizabeth, had raised her like a delicate flower. A stern woman who ran her own timber mill with an iron grip, she softened only for her daughterher voice dropping to a gentle murmur, her eyes brimming with tenderness.
So Emily grew up sheltered, fragile, trusting.
She knew little hardshipattending regular school and music lessons, where she learned piano with joy. She never became a virtuoso, but she blossomed into a fine teacher.
All she needed was a good marriage, and soon enough, a charming suitor appearedhandsome David, who wooed her with sweet words and tender glances, spending his modest drivers salary on her.
But her mother saw right through him.
“A layabout and a fool!” Anne Elizabeth declared.
“But I love him, Mum,” Emilys blue eyes welled with tears.
“Fine, fine,” her mother relented. “But youll live with me!”
Their spacious three-bed flat had room enough, and David didnt objectafter all, his mother-in-law spent most of her days at work. He had nothing to his name.
The caring, gentle David soon revealed his true coloursdrinking, disappearing, snapping at his young wife. He barely held himself together in Annes presence.
Emily refused to see his faults.
Nine months after the wedding, she gave birth to little Leo, believing they were a proper family now. But the boy was sickly, demanding constant attention, and David grew even more volatile.
She endured, hoping things would change.
Then her mother died suddenly, having barely known her grandson.
The funeral was handled by Annes old friend, Geoffrey Spencer. David didnt show his face those daysand when he finally did, his belongings were packed in the hallway.
He threatened lawsuits, property disputes.
Emily said nothing.
Thank God for Geoffreyhe tossed David out like rubbish. A seasoned solicitor, he ensured no division of assets ever happened.
She and Leo never saw David again.
Emily couldnt run the timber mill, so Geoffrey hired professionals. They lacked for nothing.
But grief and loneliness gnawed at herno friends, no family. Just Leo, who needed her. So she poured everything into him.
Men? Unthinkable. (Geoffrey didnt count.)
That day, she and five-year-old Leo left the clinic, huddled under an umbrella against the rain. The downpour showed no sign of stopping, and taxis were impossible to book.
“Hop in quick!” A car screeched to a halt beside them, the driver flinging the door open. “Come on, no parking here!”
It didnt occur to her this could be dangerousshe recognised him from the clinic, where he brought his own son.
“Thank you!” Emily gasped as the ride ended. (Theyd exchanged namesStan.)
“Anytime!” He grinned. “Fancy giving me your number?”
She stiffened.
“Sorry, I dont date married men,” she said flatly, ushering Leo toward their building.
She didnt expect to see him so soon, but there he was the next day, waiting in the courtyard.
“Im divorced,” he blurted, thrusting the papers at her. A month-old decree.
Was she tired of loneliness? Was Stan too charming? Did Leo instantly adore him?
Later, she couldnt explain why she let him join their walk, then stay for supper.
Soon, they saw each other daily. She fell deeper in loveso deep, she wasnt even surprised when he proposed a month later.
Of course. He loved her. Loved Leo.
The boys adoration sealed itcalling Stan “Dad” before the wedding.
“Dad” didnt mind. She just smiled.
After the registry office, Stan suggested adopting Leo.
“Always wanted two sons,” he said, then darkened.
Emily squeezed his shoulder. She knew his ex-wife, now with some wealthy bloke, barred him from seeing his own boy.
So within three months of meeting, they were a family.
The only thing she hid? Her finances.
The timber mill, though modest, brought steady incomesplit three ways with the new partners. She saved it all for Leos future.
No need for Stan to know.
Geoffrey had taught her that. (Shame hed retired to the seaside.)
If Stan suspected, he never let on.
But the idyll lasted less than a year.
Stan grew distantreturning sullen, snapping.
“Just work,” he muttered at first.
“Cant you transfer?” she fretted. “Youre a brilliant electrician.”
“Ill sort it.”
Soon, he stopped explaining altogetherglowering in silence, or worse, snarling at her.
He ignored Leo, but the boys presence clearly grated.
Then, one day in the park, it all unraveled.
Stan was late, promising to meet them for ice cream.
“Shouldnt have let him adopt the boy,” a womans mocking voice cut in.
Emily whirled. A striking brunette in a bright orange coat perched beside her.
“Do I know you?”
“Not yet. Im Zoe. Stans ex-wife. Temporarily ex.”
Emily gaped. Thank God Leo was playing out of earshot.
“Whats that look for?” Zoe smirked. “Stan just wanted to prove hes a proper catch. Thats all.”
“What are you saying?”
“The Gods honest truth, sweetheart.”
Zoe was older by five years, but her gaze dripped condescension.
“I dont understand”
“Ah! Theres Stan now.” Zoe nodded past her.
Stan hurried over, eyes darting between them.
“Explain it to her, Stan,” Zoe drawled, ruffling his hair before sauntering off. “Were waiting!”
“Whats that look for?” Stan echoed as Emily sat stunned.
He sighed. “Zoe kept saying no one else would have me. Then she flaunted that rich bloke, Mark. So I walked out.”
“Why adopt Leo?” Emily whispered.
“To make it real. New wife, new soneverything perfect.”
“And I was just convenient?”
Silence.
“What now?” She already knew.
“Dunno.” He scowled. “Got used to you, I spose.”
He made his choice quickly. Didnt come home.
Next morning, after dropping Leo at nursery, Emily returned to an empty flatno Stan, no trace of him.
She exhaled, dialing Geoffreys number. She needed a solicitor again.
