The Black Widow
Graceful and clever Emily was close to graduating from London Universitys School of Journalism when she met Edward, a man much older than her. It was Edward Whitmore, local celebrity and songwriter, who first noticed slender, gentle Emily. In London, his tunes played on every street; people hummed them in cafés, and he seemed to know every producer at the BBC.
Edward was a man of the world, always welcome everywhere, at home in every London pub and bistro. He easily managed to get Emily her first job as the presenter of a new television programme he produced. In no time at all, she was hosting her debut episode, Conversations from the Heart, inviting London’s renowned psychologist and a handful of compelling guests. The show was a hitEmily asked the right questions, told stories that resonated.
Well done, Emily, praised Edward, after watching the show. Youve earned a proper celebration.
Edward Whitmore, forty-five, had been married three times, his turbulent energy and crowd of mates always ill-suited to domestic life. He fancied himself a creative geniushe wrote ballads, boasted about his prestigious awards, hung about Soho late into the night, drinking far too much. Everyone accepted him as local royalty.
Time passed. Emily became a fixture in Londons living rooms, her show attracting an ever-growing audience. She and Edward married. Emily was elegant, always impeccably dressed, polite and graciousa television beauty, so the city said. But soon she discovered marriage to Edward was a mistake; he was perpetually tipsy, no longer attentive.
Edward, dont go too far, his friend Simon once warned, when Edward insulted Emily during a drunken café conversation. Youre underestimating her; someday shell outshine you.
Edward scoffed, I’ve never chosen clever wives, pinching Emilys cheek with a smug grin.
When courting her, he was chivalrousflowers, gifts, wrote her two songs, listened with real interest. But once she was his wife, that tenderness vanished. He treated Emily with no more attention than their tabby cat, snapping at her absently.
I was so naïve, thinking Edwards help would make me a star, Emily mused bitterly.
She had studied French at university, which Edward mocked. You should learn English instead, he nagged. You look lost abroad. Hed moan that gym visits were a waste, time better spent on English lessons.
Irritated, Emily refused out of spiteuntil one evening, Simon, Edwards wise and erudite friend, quipped over dinner, A sophisticated woman should speak English as naturally as she wears heels. The next day, she enrolled in a language school with a reputable tutor.
Youve done wonders with my wife, Simon, Edward chuckled, when Emily filled their car with English vocabulary tapes. She threw herself into her studies.
Emily and Edward lived in a grand flat in Chelsea that Edward inherited from his grandfather, a distinguished physician. Their housekeeper, Irene, forty-three, single, bitter but discreet, was always present. She saw everythingthere was no hiding from Irene.
One morning, Emily found Edward asleep on the sofa in his study, reeking of whisky. Irene stood in the kitchen, clutching an empty bottle of cognac. It was full last night, she remarked. What should he have for breakfast?
Pickled onions, Emily grumbled, heading for a shower.
Seven years passed. Emily and Edward had no childrenhe had a son from his first marriage and didnt want another. She herself had lost interest in motherhood, focusing on her career. That morning, after breakfast, she sent Irene to check on Edward. He was facedown, leaving a red stain on the pillow.
Emily! Irene shrieked. Ring for an ambulance!
I dont know, Irene stuttered as Emily rushed in.
Within fifteen minutes, Emily was hurtling through the streets with Edward in a paramedics van. He was sent straight to intensive care. Later that evening, the hospital called.
Im sorry, your husband has died.
I just I just cant believe it, Emily whispered, stunned. Hes not old yet. The funeral was grandSimon did everything, the church was full, Edward was widely respected. At the wake, Simon stood and declared, Lets not mourn. Edward lived a vibrant life and rightly earned his peace.
Emily heard colleagues murmur, He had it all.
It took time for Emily to adjust. Her flat was oppressively silent. Irene watched, unsure if she’d be dismissed. Colleagues teased, Emily, you have nothing to be sad aboutyoung, independent, and financially set. Edward left her and his son substantial accounts, but Emily herself was successful. She sought company, frequented local cafés.
One evening, after filming her show, she slipped into a pub near home. She sat quietly, nursing a glass of Spanish wine. Soon, a burly stranger approached, smiling, politely asking to join her.
May I? She nodded. Charles, he introduced himself, she responded. Why so down, such beauty shouldnt brood.
Its just been a rough patch, Emily replied.
Charles, fortyish, a gentle giant with rough features, immediately reminded Emily of a teddy bear and lifted her spirits.
Let me treat you. Wine, cocktail, cake anything? he offered.
Just cake is fine, she smiled, indifferent to sweets.
Though he wasnt handsome, Charles had charm and wit, spinning hilarious tales that held her rapt. Emily laughed genuinely for the first time in ages. He walked her home and promised a date.
The next morning, Emily said to Irene, I wont need your services anymoreI can handle the cooking and cleaning myself.
But Emily, Ive been loyal for yearswhere would I go? Irene protested.
Youll find somewhere, perhaps a new family, or as a concierge. Irene began to sob.
Well, I suppose Ill survive, Emily thought to herself. At least the windows and toilets wont be my concern.
Seeing Irenes tears, Emily relented. Alright, Irene. If you insist, you can stay.
Irene, delighted, kissed Emilys cheek, I’ve grown fond of you and Edwardyou felt like family. Losing Edward, and now you nearly sent me packing.
So life went on; Charlessoon called Charlie by Emilybecame a frequent guest. Charlie adored Emily. Within three months, they married, at Emilys request in a quiet ceremony. But for the honeymoon, Charlie whisked her away to the Maldives. He could afford it, being a businessman.
Emily expected the trip to be typical: direct flight, decent hotel, standard tourist fare. Charlie, however, had different notions. They flew first class, and upon arrival, a personal escort took them to a private yacht. They were greeted as VIPs, with fireworks, cocktails, dancers.
Their villa was stunningfour bedrooms, two baths, a pool, and a private beach.
I can’t imagine what my teddy bear paid for all this, Emily wondered.
She never asked about Charlies wealth; she knew he had money. Charlie was doting, tucking her in, brushing her hair, ensuring she ate breakfast before worknot just settling for coffee.
Edward was a pain, always belittling me and crowing about how he lifted me to his level. Charlie, though far from a model, lives for me, listens and supports. And I love that, she thought.
Irene praised Charlie too, happy to live with them now in his country mansion. Only one thing unsettled Emilyonce, she saw him injecting himself.
Whats that? she asked, worried.
Just insulinIm diabetic. But its fine, I live a full life.
Lounging in the Maldives, Emily mused, Did I finally win the jackpot? She loved the luxury, but was irked spending it with her bumbling, soft husband instead of a handsome tennis coach or surfing instructor.
Time for my teddy bear to start a diet and hit the gym, she teased.
He grew sad. Ill try, if you want, but my metabolism is a mess. Ill never be Apollo, loveit’s the diabetes.
Alright, never mind, she smiled.
Back home, Emily immersed herself in work. Sometimes a wave of loneliness would overwhelm herwas true love even possible? She didnt love Charlie, not really; she craved passion, nights with a man of strength and beauty, not just a teddy bear. Her colleagues quipped, You mean youre loyal to Charlie? Are you really that virtuous?
In truth, she wasnt all that chastejust hesitant to wound his kind heart. At the staff New Years party, Emily got thoroughly tipsy. Her co-worker Tom called his mate James to drive them home.
Emily, need a lift? The drunken offer. She accepted.
James seated Emily beside him. Tom, whyve you not introduced me to this lovely? he teased as Emily stared, taken aback by James striking looks and flashy car. He dropped off Tom, then Emily, and asked for her number. By her gate, he pressed her against his jeep, kissing her fiercely. She didnt resistshe enjoyed his intensity.
James was the perfect lover. At home, Emily was tender with Charlie; James wasted no time with affection, sweeping Emily up at his bachelor flat, wild and unrestrained. Afterwards, hed just say, Youre sensational.
It suited everyone. Charlie worked late, business booming, oblivious to Emilys affair. One afternoon, she arrived early at James flat, in bed as he was stepping from the shower. Suddenly, the bell rang urgently. Ill wring someones neck, James cursed, heading for the door.
Emily recognised the voicesJames and Charlie. She panicked, scrambling to get dressed. In the doorway stood Charlie, silent. It wouldve been easier if hed shouted.
Charlie its not she stammered.
James said nothing, though he could have blocked the door. Who betrayed me? Emily asked.
What does it matter now? I doubted, but had to see for myself.
Charlie looked dreadfulpale, sweating, then he collapsed. Emily rushed to him, checking his breathing.
Call an ambulancenow.
James did so. Checking Charlies pockets, Emily found his insulin penshe knew he always carried one. She administered the shot.
That should help. But he didnt revive. Paramedics arrived; the doctors verdict:
Hes gone.
Stunned, Emily let James drive her home. Irene met her.
Emily, whats wrong? You look dreadful.
Suddenly, Emily wondered, It must have been Irene who tipped Charlie off. She never liked James, always prying. She kept the suspicion to herselfit wouldnt be admitted anyway.
After the funeral, Emily was numb. Cause of death: heart failure. She received the papers. Soon, Charlies daughter from his first marriagea lawyerarrived with her husband, tossing a thick envelope of cash on the table.
Youre out. Fight us in court and youll get nothingno mansion, no company. You have three days with your belongings and Irene.
Emily wanted no legal drama; she relinquished everything. She and Irene returned to the spacious Chelsea flat left by Edward.
Time passed. Emily began to recover, helped by James, but he never proposed. She understoodhe wasnt husband material, but she continued the affair. One day, Tom rang:
Emily, sit down James died in a crash. Instantly.
She sat, shell shocked.
Why do all my men die? Im the black widow. People will say its my curse. My aura must be lethal.
Not long after, a young man named Mark appeared on her show. She sensed immediatelyhe couldnt take his eyes off her. After filming, he invited her out for coffee.
Alright, she agreed. It was time to live again.
Mark captured her heart; Emily was swept up in a tide of happiness, experiencing feelings shed never imagined.
So this is love. I cant breathe without Mark, let alone live. But Im afraid for him too, she admitted to herself.
Mark became infatuated as wellthey spent carefree days together. Emily didnt bother about the detailsshe only knew he had no siblings, a distant father, and lived with her now at the Chelsea flat. Before work one day, she felt curious, searching the internet for him. The first link stunned herMark was among the countrys top thousand richest.
I cant believe it! she cried, hysterical, then worried. Will something happen to him too?
She calmed down and set off to work. Later, Mark failed to answer his mobile, so she called his office.
Good afternoon, may I speak to Mark?
And whos calling? asked the secretary.
This is Emily
Hes been taken to hospital, she replied, giving the details.
Emily rushed to the hospital.
Whats wrong? she demanded from the doctor.
Relaxnothing serious. Hell live. His heart troubles under control.
Can I see him? Please
For ten minutes, yes.
Emily slipped quietly into the room; Mark smiled, waiting. She sat beside him, clasping his hands.
Well be fine. I love you. When Im out, well get married. Will you?
Oh yesof course! she beamed, kissing him. A life ahead. True happiness.
Thank you for reading, subscribing, and your support. Wishing you the best in life!
