She came home to find neither her husband nor his belongings.
Why are you looking at me like that? Zoe smirked. Stan just wanted to prove hes a real catch. Thats all.
What are you talking about?
The honest truth, love, drawled Stans ex-wife.
I dont understand Emily whispered, bewildered.
Ah! Theres Stanhell explain everything, Zoe nodded toward the door.
Emily had been raised like a delicate flower, sheltered and adored.
Her mother, Margaret, was a formidable woman who ran a timber mill with an iron fist. But with her only daughter, she softenedher voice gentle, her eyes warm.
So Emily grew up tender, trusting, and sheltered from hardship. She attended a regular school and took piano lessons, though she never became a virtuoso. Instead, she became a devoted teacher.
All she needed was the right husband, and soon enough, charming Daniel appeared.
He wooed her with sweet words, spending his modest lorry drivers salary on gifts. He gazed into her eyes so lovingly
But Margaret saw right through him.
That layabout! she snapped.
Mum, but I love him, Emilys blue eyes welled with tears.
Fine, fine, Margaret relented. But youll live with me.
Their spacious three-bedroom flat had room for all, and Daniel didnt mindhe had nothing to his name anyway.
Soon after the wedding, the caring façade crumbled. Daniel drank, disappeared, and snapped at Emily. He barely kept up appearances around Margaret.
Emily refused to see his flaws.
Nine months later, she gave birth to little Leo, believing her family was complete.
But Leo was sickly, needing constant care, and Daniels temper worsened. She endured, hoping things would improve.
Then Margaret died suddenly, leaving Emily heartbroken.
Daniel vanished, only to return and find his bags packed in the hallway. He threatened lawsuits, but Emily stayed silent.
Thankfully, Margarets old friend, Geoffreya seasoned solicitorhad him tossed out and ensured no assets were split.
Emily never saw Daniel again.
She couldnt run the mill herself, so Geoffrey hired managers. She and Leo never wanted for anything.
But grief and loneliness weighed on her. She focused solely on Leo, swearing off menGeoffrey didnt count.
One rainy afternoon, she and five-year-old Leo left the clinic, huddled under an umbrella.
A car screeched to a halt beside them.
Hop in quick! The driver flung the door open. It was Stan, a man shed seen at the clinic with his son.
Grateful, she accepted the ride.
Can I have your number? he asked afterward.
I dont date married men, she said firmly, ushering Leo inside.
But the next day, Stan waited outside.
Im divorced, he said, handing her the papers.
Why did she let him walk with them? Was it loneliness? His charm? The way Leo adored him?
A month later, Stan proposed. She said yeshe loved her, and Leo called him Dad.
Stan even adopted Leo.
Always wanted two sons, he said darkly. His ex-wife, wealthy new boyfriend in tow, had cut off contact with his first son.
Emily never mentioned her finances. The mills profits, split three ways, were steadyall saved for Leos future.
Geoffrey had warned her: never reveal your money.
Stan never asked, but the idyll didnt last.
He grew distant, snapping at her. Work was his excuse, but soon he stopped explaining.
Then, in the park, a woman in a sharp orange coat approached.
You shouldnt have let him adopt the boy, she said.
Do I know you? Emily frowned.
Zoe. Stans ex-wife. Temporarily.
Stan arrived, tense.
Explain it to her, Zoe said, ruffling his hair before sauntering off.
I married you to spite her, Stan admitted. She kept saying no one else would want me. Then she flaunted her rich bloke. So I left.
Why adopt Leo? Emily whispered.
To prove I could have it all. New wife, new son. I spotted you at the clinicperfect for the role.
A gullible wife? she said bitterly.
He was gone by morning.
Emily sighed and dialled Geoffrey. She needed a solicitor again.
