Broken Hearts and a Secret Spell
Emily returned home from a parents’ evening in a small town near Manchester. The moment she stepped inside, she headed straight to her son’s room for a stern talk.
“Mom, enough already! I’m sick of your lectures!” snapped Thomas.
“What do you mean, enough? I’ve barely started!” Emily frowned. “Mrs. Higgins is very disappointed in you.”
“Who cares? I’ll do what I want, just like Dad! Now I see why he’s got another woman—you probably nagged him just like you nag me!” Thomas blurted out.
“What other woman? What are you talking about?” Emily froze, her voice trembling with shock.
The meeting had been rough—Thomas hadn’t been doing his homework, he was distracted in class, and he’d been rude to his teachers. What was happening to him? He’d become distant, secretive. She needed to speak to her husband. Maybe James could get through to him.
Just then, she spotted James’s car parked by the pavement. Had he come to pick her up? How thoughtful! But her steps faltered as James stepped out—holding a bouquet of flowers, walking toward a stranger, a tall woman with long red hair in a fitted dress. The woman hugged him, took the flowers, and they drove off together.
Emily stood there, paralyzed. Who was she? She was everything Emily wasn’t—glamorous, confident, the opposite of Emily’s petite frame and short dark curls. James had said he’d be working late, discussing a new project with colleagues. Was this woman one of them? In fifteen years of marriage, she’d never once doubted him.
They’d married for love right after university. His parents, well-off, had gifted them a flat in central Manchester. His family adored her, and when their daughter was born later, she was the apple of their eye. James had taken over his father’s position in the family business when his dad retired. It had been tough, but he’d earned respect. They had everything—a countryside cottage, family holidays abroad. James had even suggested Emily quit her nursing job, but she loved it too much. Helping people was her calling.
And now? If he was with someone else, he’d fallen out of love. He’d leave soon. Tears burned her cheeks. It hurt. It wasn’t fair. They were more than spouses—they were best friends, sharing everything. How could he betray her like this? James had never even glanced at other women, despite being handsome.
At home, she confronted Thomas.
“Mom, enough! I’m sick of your nagging!” he snapped.
“Enough? Mrs. Higgins says you’ve been slacking!”
“I’ll do what I want—just like Dad! Now I see why he’s got another woman. You drove him away too!”
“What woman? What are you saying?” Emily’s voice cracked.
“I saw Dad in a café with some pretty woman. He didn’t even notice me. What’s your excuse now?”
Emily collapsed onto the sofa, covering her face. The tears wouldn’t stop.
“Mom, don’t cry…” Thomas, always protective of her, looked lost.
“That’s it, love… We were happy, and now he’s gone and found someone else…”
“It happens, Mom. I love Dad, but if he’s treating you like this, let him go. We’ll manage. I’m thirteen—I’m not a kid anymore. But I’m still hurt. He’s been a right git.”
Thomas handed her a tissue. She wiped her tears and hugged him.
“I’ll talk to him. He owes us the truth.”
A few hours later, James returned home, looking drained.
“Em, I ate with colleagues. I’m going to shower and sleep. Long day.”
“James, I saw you today. Giving her flowers. Driving off. I was coming back from school…”
James went pale.
“You saw? Right… I’ve been seeing someone—Jennifer, my new assistant. I don’t know how it happened.”
“And now? Are you leaving us?”
“Em, I don’t want to… but I can’t help it. It’s like I’m drawn to her. I love you, but it’s like a spell. She invited me over to help with paperwork, introduced me to her mum, we had dinner… I fell for her. We met at the cottage. I’m so sorry.”
“At *our* cottage? In *our* home?! James, how could you?” Emily’s voice trembled.
“I’m sorry. We should divorce. I can’t pretend nothing happened. I’ll support Thomas. You keep the flat—I’ll take the car and the cottage.”
“You’ve already decided… She’s young—she’ll toss you aside when she’s bored. Think with your head!”
The next day, James packed his things and left while Emily and Thomas were out. He left Thomas a letter, trying to explain. Emily stared at the empty wardrobe, her heart shattered. She’d loved him with everything she had. Money didn’t matter—family did. If he wanted a divorce, let him file it. She and Thomas would manage.
Her mother-in-law called in tears.
“Emily, James told us. How could this happen? Everything was fine! A midlife crisis? What now? Why *her*? You’re such a good wife…”
“Margaret, I’m in shock. Thomas is furious—he won’t speak to his dad.”
“Oh, love… Stay strong. We’re here for you.”
“Thank you. We love you too.”
Two weeks later, James came for more of his things.
“Em, hi. Can I grab a few more bits?”
“Come in.” She frowned—he looked awful. Gaunt, exhausted.
“Thomas won’t answer my calls. I get it—he’s angry.”
“Maybe. You look terrible. Is she draining the life out of you?” she said bitterly.
“Something’s wrong. I’m weak, drained… Jennifer irritates me, but I can’t leave.”
Emily confided in her colleague Sarah, a friend from the hospital.
“Emily, something’s off. My neighbour knows about these things. Fancy a visit?”
“I don’t believe in that rubbish. I’m a nurse—what’s next, fairy tales?”
“Just humour me. Bring a photo of James, just in case.”
That evening, they visited Sarah’s neighbour, Mrs. Whitmore. A plain woman in a housecoat, nothing like a “witch.” She took James’s photo, lit a candle, and closed her eyes. Emily barely stifled a laugh.
“He didn’t leave you willingly. He loves you,” Mrs. Whitmore said.
Emily scoffed.
“Loves me? Then why’s he with her?”
“Laugh all you want. He’s under a spell—through food. Her mother’s behind it. They want his money, not him. Without the spell, he’d never have left—your bond was too strong.”
“A *spell*? He’s a grown man!”
“Her mother’s a witch. It’s always the same—first euphoria, then weakness, then ruin. Karma will catch them, but not yet.”
Emily hesitated. Mrs. Whitmore wasn’t charging her. She seemed genuine.
“What do I do? He’s already gone.”
“Bring him home. I’ll give you a prayer—say it in church. Leave the photo. He’ll improve in a week.”
Emily sighed. What if it was true? James wasn’t answering calls, so she drove to the cottage.
Once, they’d been happy here—barbecues, laughter, dancing. Now, she knocked like a stranger. Jennifer opened the door.
“Emily? Didn’t expect you…”
“I need James.”
“He’s resting.”
“It’s urgent.”
Inside, James lay curled up, pale and unshaven.
“James? Are you ill?”
“Em? What’s wrong?”
“Thomas is in trouble. He needs you.”
“What happened?” James scrambled up.
“Can you drive? You look awful.”
“I’ll manage. Let’s go.”
Jennifer blocked the door.
“Where’s he going?”
“Home, to his family. You shouldn’t have done this…”
“Done what?” Jennifer snapped.
“You know. Stop this before it backfires. Aren’t you afraid?”
“You’re just jealous he’s with someone young and pretty! There’s no spell!”
“I never mentioned a spell… Busted.”
“Take him, then! He’s useless! We could’ve been in a penthouse, not this dump!”
James stepped forward.
“So *that’s* what you wanted? My money?” His face darkened. “Get out.”
Jennifer stormed off. They locked up and drove away.
“Em, I don’t know what to say… You saw everything.”
“They put a spell on you. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it fits. I’ll forgiveJames squeezed her hand, tears in his eyes, and whispered, “Thank you for bringing me home.”
