Emily had never fully trusted her husband. That was why she had always relied only on herself. Such was the nature of their married life.
Her husband, **James**, was as handsome as a portrait. He had undeniable charm and was the life of every gathering. He drank in moderation, never smoked, and had no passion for football, fishing, or hunting. In short, **”a true gentlemanfit for a palace.”**
Because of these qualities, Emily knew deep down that her husband sought comfort outside their home. Men like him were rare, and **”huntresses”** made their moves without hesitation
The only thing that reassured her was Jamess unconditional love for their son, **William**. He devoted all his free time to the boy, never growing tired of him. Emily believed this fatherly love would be enough to keep their family intact.
At school, the children called Emily **”Ginger”**, thanks to her fiery red hair and the freckles scattered across her face.
Her mother, a strikingly beautiful woman, had told her since childhood:
**”Emily, my dear, youre like the ugly duckling. Forgive me for saying so, but you must accept this hard truth. Who else would tell it to you but your own mother? Perhaps no man will want to marry you, so youll have to rely on yourself. Study hard, build a career. And if a decent man comes along, dont be picky. Be a faithful and obedient wife.”**
Those words stayed with Emily all her life.
After graduating with honours, she enrolled in university. There, she met her future husband. She never understood what had drawn such a handsome man to her. Later, **James** admitted she was the only woman he had dared approach. Emily wore no makeup, dressed plainly, and had no skill for flirting.
When she realised a man like him was seriously interested, she took charge. She couldnt let such a gift from fate slip away! She was the one who proposed to James. The young man was stunned, but Emily reassured him:
**”Ill be a gentle, obedient, and faithful wife. Love will come in time.”**
James hesitated at first but eventually agreed. His mother, **Margaret Whitmore**, played a key role in his decision. When he first introduced his future wife, Margaret studied her with obvious disapproval. Her son was charminga **”rare gem”**! Any woman would dream of marrying him! And yet, here stood a pale girl covered in freckles.
The first meeting with her future mother-in-law did not go well.
Emily noticed Margarets reluctance but refused to give up. Days later, she visited her alone. She had to save her impending marriage! This time, Margaret served tea and found Emily slightly less unremarkable.
Emily promised she would remain faithful to James until her last breath. That argument outweighed all her **”imperfections.”**
Margaret was a lonely woman. Her husband had left her for another but returned a year laterbroken and weary. Yet his family refused to take him back. Margaret spent her life wondering if she should have forgiven him. But she knew the sting of betrayal would never fade.
Raising her son alone had been a trial. That was why **Margaret accepted Jamess marriage to Emily.** She understood this woman would wait for her son, no matter what storms life brought.
A year later, their son **William** was born. He was the spitting image of his father, much to his grandmothers delight.
**James adored his son**, caring for him with boundless devotion. William became the centre of his world.
But love for his wife never came.
Emily, too, felt no passion for James. Their relationship was calm and monotonous. She washed and ironed his shirts, cooked his meals, kissed his cheek before bed. James gave her his entire salary, brought flowers on her birthday, kissed her every morning before work. It all felt more like a **routine** than real love.
Five years later, **James finally found love**just not at home.
Her name was **Charlotte**, a woman of mesmerising, almost unreal beauty. James couldnt resist her. For six months, they met in secretuntil Charlotte gave him an ultimatum:
**”I wont be your mistress. Marry me, or were done.”**
James was torn. He didnt want to lose Charlotte, but his son meant just as much to him. At that moment, Emily barely crossed his mind.
When **William** turned five, **James** packed his bags and left.
Emily remembered her mothers words. As a child, they had seemed cruel, but now she understood she would survive without falling apart. Yes, her heart was bruised, but she wouldnt drown in despair.
As he walked away, James only heard his wifes calm voice:
**”If you change your mind, the door is always open. But dont wait too long. William loves you.”**
James wrestled for months between his son and Charlotte.
Emily left **his toothbrush** in the bathroom. Every time he visited William, **James** noticed it. Once, he took it with him, but on his next visit, a new one sat in its place
Years passed.
Emily finally accepted that **James would never return.**
She decided it was time to stop waiting. **On holiday, she had a brief, commitment-free fling.**
Nine months later, **William had a little sisterMargaret.**
One evening, the doorbell rang.
**”Thats Daddy!”** the little girl squealed.
Emily opened the door.
**James stood on the doorstep.**
**”May I come in?”**
**”Come in.”**
Two weeks later, Emily called her friend:
**”You wanted to know my daughters middle name? RememberMargaret Louise!”**
In the end, some hearts mend, some doors reopenbut time is the only true judge of what lasts.
