**Shadows of Betrayal: A Path to New Happiness**
Emily often traveled for work. Once a month, she’d leave for two or three days to visit the company’s headquarters in a neighboring town. Anthony was used to her absences and never complained. They worked for different firms, met in the evenings, and spent weekends together—when they could. Anthony had a hobby: hunting. He’d often disappear into the countryside with his mates. Emily didn’t mind, understanding he needed his own space.
They’d been together twenty-four years, trusting each other without question. Their daughter had recently married and moved away with her husband. When left alone, Emily would read or meet with her girlfriends. Their home was peaceful—she avoided arguments, smoothed tensions before they began. Anthony was content.
But there comes a time for some men when, as they say, the devil whispers in their ear. That moment arrived for Anthony. He fell for a colleague, Veronica—ten years younger, unmarried, vivacious and charming. She’d quickly won over the office, befriending everyone, and set her sights on Anthony. Among the men at work, he stood out—confident, well-dressed, always somehow near her.
Their colleagues noticed the budding affair and raised eyebrows—Anthony had always been the devoted family man. Yet here he was, lovestruck like a schoolboy! They warned Veronica—Anthony had a loving wife—but she just laughed. Veronica was the sort who chased married men, considering them easy prey. She’d left her last job after a scandal involving her boss’s wife, who’d given her a “warm” welcome.
Anthony, who’d never strayed before, lost his head. At forty-seven, he felt at the peak of his life. Unused to hiding his feelings, he openly admired Veronica. On weekends, he vanished, claiming hunting trips. Emily grew suspicious. One evening, she joked, “Anthony, you’re never home on weekends. Found yourself a little something on the side, have you?”
“Don’t be daft, Em!” He waved her off. “Just the lads, you know how it is.”
For six months, Anthony led a double life. Veronica pulled him deeper—he spent more time with her, even invited her home when Emily was away. Returning early from a business trip, Emily was in high spirits—her project was approved, her reports submitted. Her silver car glided smoothly along the motorway, soft music playing inside.
“I won’t go in tomorrow,” she thought. “It’s Friday—I was supposed to be back then. I’ll buy wine, we’ll have a quiet evening. Before he vanishes off hunting again.”
Opening the door, she saw Anthony’s boots—and a pair of women’s heels. “Maybe our daughter’s visiting?” she wondered. But stepping into the living room, she froze. A young woman in a short robe lounged on the sofa, while Anthony hurried from the bedroom, buttoning his shirt.
“Em? How—you’re meant to be back tomorrow—” he stammered.
“I’m back today,” she said coldly. “What’s going on? Who is she?”
“Hello, I’m Veronica,” the woman chimed in. “We work together—just stopped by for—”
“For what? Dressed like that?” Emily turned, slammed the door, and ran.
In the car, she broke down. Her world had shattered. She’d heard stories like this, never dreaming it would happen to her. Now betrayal stared her in the face.
“So much for Anthony,” she seethed. “And I believed him! How long has this been going on? Must’ve happened before, if he’s bringing her into our bed.”
She spent the night at her mother’s. The next morning, she bought a new lock, asked her son-in-law to fit it. She packed Anthony’s things into a bag and left it by the door. After a sleepless night, she decided—divorce. Knowing Anthony, she wouldn’t hear him out—he was too persuasive.
That evening, she met him at the door. As he fumbled with the new lock, Emily stepped out, blocking his way. “Take your things and go. I don’t want to see you. You know me—I won’t forgive. At least have the decency to keep it elsewhere, but you brought her into our home. See you in court.” She shut the door.
Anthony begged. “Em, listen, I can explain! I don’t know what came over me.” But she stood firm. He waited outside the house, her office, her mother’s—Emily never relented. At the divorce hearing, he apologized again—met only with ice.
With Veronica, things fizzled quickly. Anthony grew short-tempered; she refused to understand. Then she announced she was pregnant. “A baby?” He scoffed. “I’m nearly fifty—I don’t want sleepless nights. I want peace.”
“Like it or not, I’m keeping it,” she snapped. “If you won’t be involved, you’ll pay.”
Anthony found himself raising a son, living with Veronica, who demanded more than he could give. When the boy turned three, he often thought of leaving. His friends told him, “You’ll never find another wife like Emily.” He regretted everything.
Five years alone, Emily had adjusted. The betrayal no longer stung. A friend urged her, “Em, remarry—if only to spite Anthony! You shouldn’t be alone—let me find you someone.”
“I don’t need anyone,” Emily lied. “I’m afraid of disappointment.”
In truth, the loneliness ached—but she wouldn’t admit it. She resolved not to seek someone just to fill the void. Better to live for herself, even if family was far.
One night, a toothache kept her awake. By morning, she went to the dentist. The clinic was crowded. At reception, she was directed to a room where the dentist examined her. “Wisdom tooth,” he announced. “Wisdom comes in time. Let’s take an X-ray.”
The X-ray room was busy. After the scan, she waited in the hall. Fifteen minutes later, a nurse beckoned her forward, carrying the images. Emily followed. Inside, two dentists worked—one young, one older. The senior invited her to sit.
Studying the scan, he frowned. “Right, we’ll remove the second and fourth—wait, this can’t be yours.”
Emily exhaled. “I was told it’s a wisdom tooth.”
He checked the name. “Your surname?”
“Whitman.”
“This says Wilkins.”
A voice piped up from the next chair. “That’s me.”
They all laughed. The dentist, still chuckling, said, “Mixed up the scans—close surnames. Good thing we caught it.” He smiled warmly. “Don’t worry, you’ll be wiser soon. Come back in two days, seven o’clock.”
Emily told her friend about the mix-up—they laughed for ages. Two days later, she returned. The dentist asked, “Everything alright? Any pain?”
“No, all fine,” she replied.
He studied her, then said suddenly, “I’m Richard. And you’re Emily—I saw your file. Would you mind if I asked you to dinner? I heard you’re single—and I’m very glad of it.”
Emily was stunned, then managed, “Do you ask all your patients out?”
“No, just you,” he smiled. “When you walked in, I knew it was fate. I’ve been alone too long, waiting for the right woman. Maybe fate’s finally saying, ‘Enough tests—be happy.’”
“Alright,” she said. “I don’t mind.”
They lingered over dinner, met again and again. Richard had been divorced six years, too busy to look for anyone. At fifty-two, he buried himself in work, avoiding the quiet of his countryside house.
One evening, over coffee, Richard slid a velvet box across the table. “Emily, love, marry me. I’ll cherish you always. You’ll never regret choosing me.”
She gazed at him tenderly. “Yes, I will. With you, I’ll be safe. We met for a reason—we’ll make each other happy. I know it.”
