**”The Worthy Suitor”**
Emily stood by the window, gazing at the empty yard below. The trampled snow glittered with remnants of New Year’s confetti, and tinsel from Christmas decorations clung to the bare branches of bushes. The city felt lifeless, everyone asleep after the exhausting celebrations. Inside, Emily felt the same hollow emptiness.
How could she have been so wrong? Why hadn’t she sensed the deception? Now, everything was clear—but back then, Lucas had seemed intelligent, loving, even a little wounded by his father’s neglect. Seemed. That was the word. And she had believed him when he said he loved her.
The front door clicked open, and Emily flinched. She had rehearsed her accusations, but now the words evaporated. Quiet footsteps paused behind her. She held her breath, waiting, then shivered as Lucas’s warm breath brushed her neck.
“Em,” he murmured, leaning close.
She stepped away.
“You’re still angry with me?” Lucas’s voice was coaxing. “I don’t know what came over me. The way he looked at you—I just lost control. Jealousy, I suppose.” He waited, but Emily stayed silent.
“It’s your fault, really. Smiling at him, leaning in, staring like that. I couldn’t take it.”
“You’re imagining things. We were just dancing,” Emily said flatly.
“Come on, forgive me. Jealousy means I care.” Lucas tried to turn her toward him, but she shrugged him off.
“Em, honestly, it’s ridiculous. I apologized.”
“Not to me. To him.” Emily finally met his gaze, then looked away.
“I did! Went to the hospital, apologized to your sailor. He didn’t press charges, so they let me go.” A flicker of malice flashed in Lucas’s eyes, unseen. “Let’s forget it. When he’s discharged, he can come over. We’ll have a drink, bury the hatchet.”
Emily whirled on him.
“Come over? Forget it? Drink together? There is no *us*. And there never will be. Leave the keys and get out.”
“Really? You’d replace me with him?” The sweetness in Lucas’s voice vanished, replaced by venom.
“Go. I don’t want to see you. You lied to me.” Her voice trembled with suppressed anger.
“I should’ve taught you a lesson too. Remember what you called me?” Lucas grabbed her arm above the elbow, squeezing hard as he yanked her close. Emily saw the hatred in his eyes.
“Let go—you’re hurting me!”
“I’ve wasted too much time on you. No, darling, I’m not leaving. You *will* marry me.” With his free hand, Lucas pulled out a ring. “Meant to give you this earlier.” He lifted her hand, forcing the ring toward her finger.
Emily twisted away, but his grip tightened.
“Let me go! I won’t marry you!” Tears spilled down her cheeks.
“Oh, you will—unless you want your sailor to stay in one piece.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Oh, I would.”
***
“I’m leaving tomorrow,” Daniel said.
He liked Emily. A lot. But he’d been afraid to tell her about his plans. They’d only just started dating.
“Where?”
“Southampton. I got into the maritime academy. Sorry I didn’t say anything—wasn’t sure I’d get in.”
“Will you at least call?” Emily asked, lowering her head.
“Don’t sulk. What choice do I have? No navy here. Em, I don’t want you feeling obligated to wait. Training’s long, then I’ll be at sea for months. You’ve no idea how hard it is—waiting.”
“Don’t decide for *me*.” Emily lifted her chin.
“You’ll be at uni. Plenty of blokes there—”
“Just go, then!” Emily spun on her heel and marched off.
“Em!” Daniel started after her but stopped. He stood there a moment before trudging home.
She’d been overjoyed when he visited for Christmas break. They went to the cinema, walked through frosty streets. Daniel talked about the academy, the sea, his friends—and Emily listened, wondering when he’d finally kiss her.
But he only pecked her wind-chilled cheek before leaving. The next day, he was gone.
Yes, there were plenty of guys at uni. They flirted, asked her out. But Emily wasn’t interested. Daniel called sporadically, asking about her studies in that friendly, detached way. The moment she mentioned missing him, he changed the subject.
That spring, her aunt passed away. No children, estranged from the family—her late husband had been a high-ranking civil servant. So it shocked Emily’s father when they learned the aunt had left her spacious London flat to Emily. She’d barely known the woman.
“Mum would’ve loved that place,” her mother mused. “Prime location, no repairs needed. Perfect for when you marry.”
Emily decided not to mention the flat at uni. No need to invite envy. But word got out anyway. Some mocked her; others called her stuck-up. The group leader even asked if they could host parties there.
Early in her second year, she met Lucas, a final-year student. He sat with her in the canteen one day, striking up a conversation. Soon, they were dating. Daniel was far away, hadn’t asked her to wait. Who was to say *he* wasn’t seeing someone in Southampton?
“Saville… any relation to the deputy mayor?” her father asked once.
“Dunno,” Emily shrugged.
“Ask him. Seems decent. Good match.”
She laughed it off but later asked Lucas.
“Yeah, that’s him. Didn’t tell anyone. How’d you guess?”
“My dad. He approves.”
“Your dad’s all right. Mine? Nightmare. Can’t wait to graduate and leave. Wanna rent a place, get out.”
That evening, Emily suggested letting Lucas stay in the flat. Her father agreed instantly.
“Charge him a token rent,” he chuckled. “Future son-in-law can afford it.”
Lucas was thrilled. He scooped Emily up, spun her around, kissed her.
“You’re a lifesaver, Em. Just need to handle my parents. I’m a grown man—Mum’s been nagging me to settle down.” He hugged her tightly.
Their relationship accelerated. If Emily stayed over, her parents grumbled but didn’t stop her. They’d already pictured her married to the deputy mayor’s son—perhaps a future mayor himself.
Yet something unsettled Emily. Lucas avoided introducing her to his parents, deflected questions about them. It felt off.
After graduation, Lucas took a mundane office job—”to spite my dad,” he said. Soon after, he proposed. Emily refused.
“No rush. Let me finish uni first.”
Time flew. New Year’s Eve arrived, and her friend invited them to a countryside party.
“Bring your posh fiancé!”
“How do you know about Lucas?” Emily asked.
“Ran into your mum. You’re marrying a Saville and didn’t tell me?”
“Not marrying anyone,” Emily muttered.
They arrived early. Cars soon lined the driveway.
“Where’s everyone sleeping? The house is packed,” Emily said.
“Who’s here to sleep?” her friend laughed.
The table was set, the tree twinkling, snow falling outside. The men grilled burgers in the garden, Lucas among them, drinking to stay warm. Later, everyone gathered inside. They toasted early, then danced. Emily’s friend pulled her aside to help with dishes.
“Wait,” Lucas caught her arm. “New Year, fresh start. You’ve almost finished uni. I’m not rushing you, but you know how I feel.” He reached into his pocket—
“Everyone, this is Daniel Marlow—future sea captain!” her friend announced.
Heads turned. Emily froze. *Daniel.* Their eyes met; he smiled. They stole glances at each other all evening.
“Bumped into him yesterday and invited him. Be nice, ladies—he’s leaving soon.”
Lucas finally freed the ring box snagged in his pocket. But Emily was already walking toward Daniel. They exchanged quiet words, then danced—just swaying while others jumped to the music.
“Em, you’re gorgeous,” Daniel said softly. “Almost didn’t come. So glad I did.”
To Emily, it was as if no time had passed. Daniel’s tenderness, his warm hands—it made her pulse race.
“Lost, sailor? She’s *mine*.” Lucas shoved Daniel back. “Outside. Now.”
“Daniel, don’t—” Emily begged.
“Guys, it’s almost midnight!” someone called.
But they were already in the yard. The crowd followed, bundling into coats. By the time they spilled outside, the fight had begun. Lucas swung first, knocking Daniel onto the icy ground, kicking him mercilessly. Blood splattered the snow under the streetlamp.
“Stop them!” Emily screamed, lunging atEmily rushed between them, shielding Daniel as the crowd finally pulled Lucas away, and in that shattered moment, she knew she would never let fear or lies rule her heart again.
