The Illusion of a Prince Shattered
He wasnt the prince of her dreams
Emily had met Daniel just after he returned from military service. The young man looked as if hed stepped out of a fashion magazinetall, athletic, with striking green eyes and dark, curly hair. Beside him, Emily seemed plain, though she was pretty in her own way: blonde hair, a slender figure, and a gentle smile. She couldnt believe her luckout of all the girls, hed chosen her.
“What does he see in you?” her friends whispered. “Men like that dont stay forever. Hell leave you eventually.”
But Emily only smiledshe believed in their love. They went to the cinema, danced together, and met up with friends. Daniel didnt compliment her looks often, but he was always by her side, and his touch made her dizzy with happiness. When she first brought him home, her motherMargaret Wilkinsfrowned. Later, in private, she whispered to her daughter:
“Handsome men belong to everyone, love. Rarely are they loyal. Wait before you marry himtest him. He seems too polished.”
Emily was annoyed. She trusted Daniels feelings and refused to entertain doubts. But her mother had planted a seed of unease in her heart.
Slowly, Daniel began to change. First, it was the gym, then swimming, then new friends. Emily, desperate to stay close, joined his workouts too, but she felt awkward among the attractive, toned women there. Daniels gaze often wandered toward them, and shed leave early, blinking back tears.
“Youre as weak as a doll,” he laughed once when she caught a cold after swimming. “Better stay home with your books.”
The words stung, and she remembered her mothers warning. She sensed Daniel growing distant. More and more, he went out aloneno calls, no invitations, no explanations. Then, one day, he simply vanished. He stopped answering altogether.
“He hasnt called?” her mother asked.
“No” Emily whispered, turning her face to the wall.
“Come on, up you get! Were going to the hairdresser!” Margaret ordered. “A new hairstyle is the first step to a new life. Then well sew you a dressyouve always had a knack for it.”
They bought fabric, Emily sketched designs, trying to forget. Rumours of Daniels new flings reached her, but she held strong. When, weeks later, she appeared at a dancewearing her new dress, glowingevery head turned. She was noticed.
A quiet, unassuming man named William began to court her. He wasnt handsome, but his eyes held only warmth and sincerity when they looked at Emily. A month later, he asked her to marry him.
“Now thats a proper man!” her mother said. “When he falls, he stays. What do you say?”
“I accept,” Emily replied softly.
“Do you love him?”
“How could I not? Hes kind, hardworking, faithful. Im all he needsand all he wants.”
The wedding was warm, full of heart. Emily and William started from scratch: their first chair, their first plate. A year later, their daughter was born, and three years after that, their son. Family, love, happiness.
She rarely thought of Daniel. Occasionally, shed hear storieshow hed left his wife, run off with a mistress, and now drifted from place to place. Emily would simply smile:
“What was between us? Just a chapter of youth. I hope he finds happiness, if he can.”
At home, her children and husband waited. And her motherwise, kind, the dearest of all. The one whod saved her from true heartbreak. The one whod helped her find quiet, lasting joy.
Mum always stay close. Without you, life isnt half as bright.
