Emily had been counting down the minutes until the end of her workday, eager to leave the office and meet her husband, Daniel. They planned to visit their favorite café—the very place where they had first met five years ago to the day.
She rushed out the door and spotted him waiting by his car, grinning.
“Hi, Danny,” she murmured, pressing into his embrace as he kissed her cheek.
“Alright then, let’s get going to our spot, shall we?” he said, halfway between a question and a statement. Emily giggled and nodded, secretly hoping for a gift.
After a while in the café, Daniel still hadn’t presented anything. Finally, he leaned in.
“Right, let’s head home. Your gift’s waiting there,” he said with a knowing smile.
“Really? What is it? Why didn’t you bring it?” she asked, curious.
“You’ll see soon enough,” he replied mysteriously.
When they pulled up to their house, Daniel walked toward another car and pressed the key fob. The lights flashed as he opened the door.
“Here you are, my love. She’s all yours. Drive her in good health.”
Emily was stunned—she hadn’t expected a car. Instantly, she threw her arms around his neck.
“Danny, thank you! I always say I have the best husband in the world. I love you so much.”
She adored him. He worked tirelessly, often skipping weekends to afford gifts for her. They were saving for a countryside house—somewhere big enough for the family they dreamed of starting. For now, they lived in Emily’s three-bedroom flat, inherited from her grandmother.
The next morning, she drove her new cherry-red car to work, glowing with pride. Her colleagues were already waiting, eager to hear what Daniel had given her.
“My Danny got me a car. He just *gets* me,” she sighed, closing her eyes briefly. “Girls, you wouldn’t believe how wonderful he is. In five years, we’ve never had a real fight.”
“Congratulations!” the office chimed.
Some were genuinely happy for her. Others—like Nicole, Daniel’s old schoolmate—seethed with envy. Nicole had always wanted him for herself. Watching Emily now, she thought bitterly, *Why does she get everything, while I get nothing? Just wait—she won’t be smiling so wide for long.*
But Emily, naïve, didn’t know happiness should be kept quiet. She thought her colleagues loved her as she loved them. She never imagined one might be cruel enough to steal her joy.
That evening, Daniel called—he had an urgent side job. Emily sighed but understood. Every extra shift brought them closer to their dream home.
After work, she stopped at the mall and bought him an elegant watch.
“I’ll make him as happy as he makes me,” she thought, smiling as she pulled out of the car park.
Near home, she slowed to park when—THUD. A man sat in the road, clutching his leg. Emily jumped out, horrified.
“Oh my God! Did I hit you? I’ll call an ambulance—or I can drive you to the hospital!”
He shook his head. “No need. Just a bruise. Ice would help.”
She invited him upstairs to tend to his injury.
“Don’t worry so much,” he said, chuckling. “I’d take a hit every day if it meant seeing you. I’m Liam. And you?”
“Emily.”
His lingering gaze made her uncomfortable. Before leaving, he paused at a photo of Daniel and frowned.
“Do you know him? Wait—why ask? You’re in the picture. Let me guess… brother?” He smirked. “Of course. Who else?”
“You know him?” she asked, startled.
“Course I do. He’s married to my sister. Works nonstop, chasing side jobs—saving for a house. Hardly home, but then, that’s the goal, isn’t it?”
Her world tilted.
Suddenly, she was cold, dizzy. The words stuck like a knife. *Two families? A baby? All our dreams—*
When Daniel came home, she pretended to sleep. She couldn’t face him.
The next days passed in silence. At work, colleagues noticed, but she couldn’t explain.
*Where is he—at work or with her? Are his “side jobs” just a lie?*
Liam kept “coincidentally” appearing—near the office, near her flat. “Not chance, Emily. Fate,” he’d say.
One day, at a café, she confided in him.
“Daniel isn’t my brother. He’s my *husband*.”
Liam feigned outrage. “Two-timing rat—my sister’s *pregnant*! I’ll sort him out. You should divorce him, kick him out!”
Daniel, sensing her distance, resolved to talk that night.
Emily decided to pack his things and leave them in the hall. No words. But then—her phone rang. Daniel’s office.
“Emily—it’s Daniel. He’s been hurt. Ambulance took him to St. Mary’s—”
The world went black.
At the hospital, she learned he’d been working overtime on a critical project, injured in an accident. His colleague, James, reassured her.
“Of course he was working. Who else is saving for that country house? We all know his dream.”
She hesitated. “Is there… another woman?”
James frowned. “What? He worships *you*, Emily. Only ever talks about you.”
Finally, she told him about Liam. James urged her to report it. Police revealed Liam had just been released—for extortion. Worse—Nicole was his sister.
It had all been a plot. Nicole, obsessed with Daniel, had paid Liam to break them apart.
Weeks later, as Daniel recovered, Emily pressed his hand to her cheek.
“Danny, my love—I’m so glad you’re awake.”
He smiled faintly. “Love you too, Em. Haven’t said it yet today.”
Happiness returned. Soon, their son was born, and their joy was complete.
(Note: The story has been culturally adapted with English names, locations, and phrasing while preserving the original plot and emotional depth.)
