Emily stumbled upon her husbands betrayal quite by accident
As so often happens, wives are the last to know. Only later did Emily piece together the meaning behind the odd glances from her colleagues and the whispers behind her back. Everyone at work knew her closest friend, Charlotte, was having an affair with her husband, James. Yet nothing in Jamess behaviour had ever raised her suspicions.
She found out that evening, returning home unexpectedly. Emily had worked for years as a doctor at a London hospital. That day, she was meant to be on night duty, but her junior colleague, Lucy, asked her a favour:
“Emily, could you swap shifts with me? Ill cover tonight if you take my Saturday shiftunless you already have plans. My sisters getting married that day.”
Emily agreed. Lucy was pleasant and helpful, and a wedding was reason enough.
That night, Emily came home, eager to surprise her husband. Instead, she got the shock of her life. As soon as she stepped inside, she heard voices from the bedroomJamess and another, instantly recognisable but utterly out of place. It was her best friend, Charlotte. What Emily heard left no doubt about their relationship.
She slipped out as quietly as she had entered and spent the rest of the night at the hospital, wide awake. How could she face her colleagues now? They had all known while she remained blind, devoted to James, trusting him completely. He had become the centre of her world, even convincing her to put off having children, always saying he wasnt ready yet. Now she understoodhed never seen a future with her.
By dawn, Emily made the only decision she could. She handed in her notice, returned home while James was at work, packed her things, and hurried to the station. She had inherited a small cottage in the countryside from her grandmother and knew no one would think to look for her there.
At the station, she bought a new SIM card and tossed the old one away. Emily severed all ties with her past and stepped into her new life.
Twenty-four hours later, she stepped off the train at a familiar stop. The last time shed been here was ten years ago, for her grandmothers funeral. The village seemed unchangedquiet, almost deserted. “Exactly what I need right now,” she thought. A short taxi ride and a twenty-minute walk later, she reached her grandmothers cottage. The garden was so overgrown with brambles she could barely reach the front door.
It took weeks to restore the house and garden, but she couldnt have done it alone. The neighbours, who remembered her grandmother Margareta schoolteacher for over forty yearsoffered their help. Their kindness touched Emily, and she was grateful.
Soon, word spread that a doctor had moved into the village. One day, a neighbour, Sarah, rushed over in a panic. “Emily, Im so sorry to bother you, but my little girls eaten something thats made her terribly sick!”
Emily grabbed her medical bag. “Lets take a look.”
Young Sophie had food poisoning. Emily treated her and explained to Sarah what to watch for. “I cant thank you enough,” Sarah said tearfully. “Youre our doctor now. The nearest hospital is miles away, and weve had no proper care since our last nurse left.”
From then on, villagers turned to Emily for medical help. She couldnt refusenot after their warmth and generosity.
Local authorities caught wind of her work and offered her a position at the district medical centre. “No,” Emily said firmly. “But if you reopen the village clinic, Ill gladly run it.” They were surprised a London-trained doctor would choose a modest practice, but Emily stood her ground.
Months later, the clinic reopened, and Emily resumed her work.
One evening, a late knock at her door didnt surprise herillness never kept office hours. A stranger stood outside. “Dr. Emily,” he said urgently, “Ive come from Millfield, about ten miles away. My daughters very illwhat started as a cold has turned into a fever that wont break. Please, come see her.”
Emily gathered her things as the man described his daughters symptoms. When they arrived, she found a pale, breathless little girl in bed. After examining her, Emily said, “She needs hospital treatment.”
The man shook his head. “Its just me and her. Her mother died when she was born. Shes all I haveI cant lose her.”
“The hospital has better resources,” Emily insisted. “I dont have the right medication here.”
“Tell me what to get, and Ill find it,” he pleaded. “But dont take her away. Theres an emergency pharmacy in town, but Ive no one to watch her if I go.”
Emily saw the desperation in his eyes. She studied him properly for the first timetall, lean, with thick chestnut hair. His dark green eyes were fierce with determination.
“Ill stay with her,” Emily said. “Whats her name?”
“Alice,” he answered softly. “And Im Daniel. Thank you, Doctor.”
Daniel left for the pharmacy with Emilys prescription.
Alices fever ragedshe tossed and cried for her father. Emily held her, rocking and humming until the child calmed.
Hours later, Daniel returned with the medication. Emily administered it and sighed. “Now we wait.”
They kept vigil all night. By dawn, Alices fever broke, beads of sweat forming on her brow.
“A good sign,” Emily murmured, exhausted but relieved.
“You saved her,” Daniel said, gratitude spilling over.
A year passed. Emily still worked at the clinic, treating villagers and nearby residentsbut now she lived in Daniels spacious home. They had married six months after that desperate night when Alices life hung in the balance.
It took weeks for Alice to fully recover, but she and Emily grew deeply attached. Sometimes Emily wondered about the children she might have had, but she never regretted saving Alice.
One evening, tired but content, Emily walked home to the two people waiting for her. Daniel met her at the door, grinning. “So, did you get your leave approved? Ive planned everythingjust the three of us on holiday.”
Emily smiled mysteriously. “Leaves approved but we wont be three. Well be four.”
Daniel frozethen swept her into his arms, laughing with joy.
