**Diary Entry**
During the divorce, my wealthy husband, Edward, decided to leave me with nothing but a derelict farm in the middle of nowhere. I should have seen it coming. A year later, something happened that stunned him completely.
“Ned, you know I dont need you here, right?” I said firmly. “Perhaps you should go back to the city.”
“What city?” he replied, exhausted. Id been betrayed by the one person I trusted most, and I had no energy left to argue. Wed started from scratchsold our flat, poured everything into our business. Ned only contributed a tiny room in a shared flat, while I built our success with my own wits and hard work. Wed lived modestly, moving from one rented place to another, but eventually, we found stability.
Over time, Ned started acting like he owned everything. Cunningly, he transferred all the assets into his name, ensuring Id get nothing after the divorce. Once he had full control, he filed the papers.
“Does this seem fair to you, Ned?” I asked, disappointed.
He shrugged indifferently. “Dont start again. You havent contributed in ages. I do everythingyou do nothing.”
“You told me to take a break and focus on myself,” I replied calmly.
Ned sighed, irritated. “Im tired of these pointless conversations. By the way, remember that old farm I inherited from my former boss, Mr. Harrington? He passed and left me that worthless piece of land. Its perfect for you. Take it or get nothing.”
I smiled bitterly. I knew exactly what he was doing. After twelve years together, I realised Id been living with a stranger.
“Fine, on one condition: the farm must be legally in my name.”
“No problem. Ill save on taxes,” he sneered.
I didnt argue. I packed my things and checked into a hotel. I was determined to start overwhether it was a crumbling farm or just barren land, Id find out when I got there. If it was hopeless, Id return to the city or find another way to rebuild.
I loaded my car with only the essentials, leaving the rest behind for Ned and his new girlfriend. If he thought he could rely on my experience and intelligence again, he was sorely mistaken. His new partnerwhom Id only seen a few timesseemed more arrogant than clever.
Ned handed me the deed with a mocking grin. “Good luck.”
“Same to you,” I said quietly.
“Dont forget to send me a picture of the cows,” he laughed.
Without another word, I shut the car door and drove off. As I left the city behind, tears streamed down my face. I didnt know how long Id been crying when a gentle tap on the window snapped me back to reality.
“Are you alright, dear? My husband and I saw you sitting here for a while,” an elderly woman asked kindly.
I glanced at her, then at the bus stop in the rearview mirror. I forced a small smile.
“Im fine, just overwhelmed.”
The woman nodded sympathetically. “Were just back from the hospital. Our neighbour is there aloneno one visits her. Are you heading towards York?”
I raised an eyebrow. “York? Thats where the farm is?”
“Yes, though its barely a farm now. The owner passed, and no ones looked after it. Just a few locals tend to the animals out of kindness.”
I smiled faintly. “What a coincidenceIm going there too. Hop in, Ill drive you.”
The elderly woman took the front seat, her husband settling in the back.
“Im Eleanor,” I said as we set off.
“Im Margaret Whitmore, and this is my husband, Albert,” she replied warmly.
On the way, I learned all about the farmwho stole from it, who still cared for the animals, and how bad things had gotten. When we arrived, I saw empty fields and a half-collapsed barn, with just twenty scrawny cows. Still, I decided to stay and fight for a fresh start.
A year later, I watched proudly as eighty healthy cows grazed peacefully on lush green pastures. Id turned that abandoned farm into a thriving business. It wasnt easyI sold my jewellery for feed and spent my last savings. But now, sales were growing, and my products were in demand even in neighbouring counties.
One day, a young woman named Charlotte brought me a newspaper ad for refrigerated trucks at a good price. I recognised the phone numberit was Neds company. With a sly smile, I asked Charlotte to call and offer 5% more, on condition the trucks werent shown to other buyers.
When I went to inspect them, Ned was there, stunned.
“Youre buying them?” he asked, disbelieving.
“Yes, for the farm you gave me. Its become a great businesswere expanding,” I said calmly.
Ned had no words. While his life unravelled, Id left the past behind.
In the end, I found real love with Thomas, a mechanic who helped me improve the farm. Together, we celebrated our daughters christening, while Ned could only watch from a distance as his life fell apart.
