The father noticed a bruise under his daughters eye and made a phone callhis son-in-laws life was about to unravel.
Emily stood in the doorway, greeting her parents with her usual cheerful smile. Only the dark, swollen eye betrayed the subject she refused to discuss.
“Mum, its nothing, dont worry about it,” she said quickly, catching her mothers sharp gaze.
Margaret let out a deep sigh. “Its your life, love. You have to live it…”
Her father didnt even acknowledge his son-in-law. He slowly walked to the window and stared blankly outside, as if he hadnt heard his daughter muttering something about a cupboard and the dark.
“I just… tripped last night. Come on, Mum, everythings fine with me and James!”
Fine? Emily remembered exactly what had happened. James, always quick to anger, hadnt just shouted at her. When she dared to say shed had enough, he grabbed her dressing gown so tightly it tore at the collar.
“What, you stupid cow, dont you remember who kept you alive when you were running off with that Daniel? Who loved you, eh? Who carried you home when you were too drunk to walk?”
Then came the punch. Hard, like a mans fist. Stars flashed before her eyes, pain seared through herand James kept screaming vulgarities.
“Yes, love. A cupboard… the dark,” Margaret murmured, though she knew exactly what had happened.
She felt guilty. She was the one who pressured Emily to marry James! She was the one who pushed Daniel away, convinced he was bad news.
“That wardrobe of yours, love, seems to have fists,” Margaret said pointedly, shooting a glance at her son-in-law.
David never turned from the window. He stepped onto the balcony for a smoke. Unlike his wife, hed never approved of James. The man was all showarrogant, shallow. Yes, he came from moneyflat in London, flash car, connections. But inside, he was rotten.
And now that rot had surfaceda bruise on his daughters face.
David couldve grabbed James by the collar and given him a proper thrashing. But that would only cause a scene. So he stepped outside instead.
He knew how to handle this differently. And he already had a plan.
Hed spent a long time on the phone out here…
Meanwhile, Emily bought her mother a coffee, and they chatted about nothing. Half an hour later, her parents left.
James, expecting a shouting match, finally relaxed. He slumped back on the sofa, cracked open a beer, and even smirked. To him, their silence meant approval. Family sticks together, bruises happenno one rats you out.
“See, Em? Told you itd blow over,” he drawled, smug. “Your parents are decent folk. Not like you… whining last night. So what if I had a drink?”
He took a swig and reached for crisps.
His relief didnt last.
Not even half an hour later, someone knockednot rangon the door. Firm, deliberate. The sound made James freeze mid-sip.
He peered through the peephole… and paled.
Daniel stood there. His rival. Emilys ex. The one who nearly married her but let her go. Handsome, tall, confidentwearing an expensive coat, with that smirk that made women swoon and men want to punch him.
“What do you want?” James snarled, barely opening the door.
“Step aside,” Daniel said calmly and shoved past him with a shoulder.
James stumbled back like a ragdoll.
Emily stood up, eyes wide.
“Daniel”
“Pack a bag,” he said briskly. “We can go to mine or your parents. But you dont need this failed wannabe.”
“Who you calling failed, you prat?” James spat, but he stayed rooted in the corner.
He had his reasons to fear Daniel.
“I called you, Jamie boy,” Daniel smiled. “Didnt want to interfereuntil your father-in-law rang me. Said you hit her. So I took over.”
“What… what are you on about?” James croaked.
“Didnt exactly take it, of course,” Daniel chuckled. “But that club you lease? Belongs to a mate of mine. A very good mate. So youll get noticeyour lease wont be renewed. Got it? Its already on your desk.”
James sat down heavily, like hed been punched.
“And those rent arrears? Remember when they said itd go up if the club turned profit? Well, it didsix months ago. The notice was there; you just ignored it. Me and Mike let the debt pile up. With penalties, interest… You get me? You owe. A lot.”
Daniel leaned in.
“And I know you havent got a penny to pay it. Too busy drinking with your floozies.”
James deflated like a punctured tyre.
“This… this is a setup!” he wheezed.
“Think what you like,” Daniel shrugged. “Sue me. But your solicitor quitor did you sack him? Wholl defend you now? Your barman with the nose ring?”
James gaped wordlessly.
“Emily, lets go. You dont need anything here. Just market rags.”
“Daniel, wait,” Emily said, confused. “This is all… sudden.”
“Sudden is taking a fist to the face and still making excuses. The rest is just overdue.”
He held out his hand. She took it.
“Youre all mad!” James roared. “This is my house! My wife!”
“Wife?” Daniel scoffed. “Youre the man who hits her, then hides behind a beer and telly? Youre not a man. Youre a joke. Loud, bitter… nothing. Cant even swing at me properly.”
James spluttered.
“Or take me to court? Tell them about the cupboard? Or how your club failed because you drank instead of worked?”
Emily followed Daniel without looking back. Only at the door did she pause:
“Sorry, James. Goodbye.”
“Piss off, then!” he snarled.
And they left.
Two days later, James sat in an empty flat. The club was shut. Papers demanding rent and debt notices covered the table.
Daniel wasnt just an exhe was an ex with power. Hed waited. Struck perfectly.
Meanwhile, Emilys parents house was peaceful. Her mum cooked; her dad read the paper.
Then Emily walked in.
“Hi,” she said.
“Whereve you been, love? James looking for you?” her dad asked sternly.
“I was… with Daniel.”
“So you left him?”
“Yes.”
Her mum threw up her hands. Her dad just nodded.
“Good. And know thisif that waste of space comes near you again, Ill rearrange his face myself.”
“Dad… did you call Daniel?”
“Course I did. Who else? Hes a proper bloke. Unlike that one.”
“Thank God you left that idiot!” her mum cried. “Forgive me, loveI nearly ruined your life.”
“Oi, woman, watch that tongue!” her dad laughed. “But shes rightyou saw sense.”
Outside, Daniel leaned against his black Range Rover, smirking. He knew. No one would ever lay a hand on Emily again.
Well, except maybe with loveand pleasant surprises. But thats another story.
